Myron P. Medcalf predicts the Big Ten race

Last update: December 30, 2008 - 9:19 PM

power poll

Myron P. Medcalf's predicted order of finish in the Big Ten:

1. MICHIGAN STATE*

2007-08: 27-9, 12-6

With Goran Suton (right) healthy, the Spartans appear are poised to make a run at the Big Ten title that eluded them last season. And starting point guard Kalin Lucas takes care of the ball like it's his Friday-night date.

2. PURDUE* 2007-08: 25-9, 15-3

A year older and wiser, the Boilermakers are who we thought they were: A team that's played its best basketball over the last month. But this season, they're on the hook for not just coming close to a conference crown but actually winning one.

3. OHIO STATE*

2007-08: 24-13, 10-8

Evan Turner (right) has gone from a solid starter to an NBA prospect. And 7-foot freshman B.J. Mullens continues to improve, meaning the Buckeyes should soon put Saturday's 76-48 home loss to West Virginia behind it. If only YouTube didn't exist.

4. MINNESOTA* 2007-08: 20-14, 8-10

This ain't your father's Gophers, assuming your father was a fan during the Dan Monson era. Victories over No. 9 Louisville at a neutral site and a national ranking have a young Gophers team oozing with confidence.

5. MICHIGAN* 2007-08: 10-22, 5-13

This is the most dangerous team in the league. They've already beaten two No. 4s (Duke and UCLA). With the league's top duo in DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris, why would any team in the Big Ten worry them?

6. WISCONSIN 2007-08: 31-5, 16-2

Between the progress of last season's non-factors such as Michigan and Penn State and the loss of a couple of key seniors, the Badgers should take a step back after winning the Big Ten title last season.

7. ILLINOIS 2007-08: 16-19, 5-13

It's the Big Ten's X-factor. They'll probably spoil a few team's conference title hopes and should get even better now that Alex Legion is eligible. Now, if only Illinois could do something about those colors.

8. NORTHWESTERN 2007-08: 8-22, 1-17

In a year, the Wildcats could quickly move up in the Big Ten standings. With the league's highest RPI (10) entering the week and a sweet pair of players in Michael Thompson and Kevin Coble, Northwestern is on its way toward making a splash in league play. In about 365 days or so.

9. PENN STATE 2007-08: 15-16, 7-11

Another victim of circumstances in the Big Ten. It's not that Penn State is a bad squad, it's just that the rest of league has gotten so much better in the last year. They will, however, get an "A" for effort.

10. IOWA 2007-08: 13-19, 6-12

The Hawkeyes are led by last season's Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, Anthony Tucker. The problem is the freshman has been in hot water in recent weeks because of an alcohol-related incident. That's not helping team chemistry.

11. INDIANA 2007-08: 25-8, 14-4

Tom Crean told us the Hoosiers would take their share of bad losses in a rebuilding year for a team still recovering from Kelvin Sampson's scandal-ridden tenure. Well, he was right.

*Indicates expected NCAA tournament participant