It's that time of year, folks.
College basketball magazines are hitting the stands with all sorts of early predictions for this season of hoops.
Here are a couple of early Gophers and Big Ten crystal-gazing:
Lindy's:
The Gophers are picked to finish 9th in a Big Ten that should have no shortage of powerhouses once more. Michigan State is ranked No. 1 in the nation, and Ohio State (No. 6) and Michigan (No.10) also grace the national top 10. Lindy's has six Big Ten teams going to the NCAA tournament -- but does not give the Gophers, with first-year coach Richard Pitino, the nod. Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin are the teams Lindy's has dancing.
Sporting News:
Once again, Minnesota lands at No. 9 in the conference. Otherwise, Sporting News has an impressive six Big Ten teams in its national top 25, the same schools Lindy's has going to the tournament: Michigan State (No. 2, behind No.1 Kentucky), Michigan (No. 7), Ohio State (No. 11), Wisconsin (No. 14), Iowa (No .23) and Indiana (No. 25). That the Hoosiers still land in the top 25 is really telling of the reputations of the incoming freshmen, considering all that they lost after last season.
Soon, I will be doing my own rankings and predictions, but for now, I leave you to yell at other publications ...
