Michigan Basketball: Predicting the 2020-21 Big Ten standings
By Max S.
8th place: Rutgers
2019-20 record: 20-11 (11-9)
I don’t think there is a coach in all of college basketball who has done a better job than Steve Pikiell has done at Rutgers over the last 4 seasons. Rutgers won 11 Big Ten games last season. That is the most conference games they have won in any season since they went 14-4 in the A-10 in 1990.
Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. will lead the way for this gritty Rutgers team. They also bring in star freshman big man Cliff Omoruyi who will likely start and make a big immediate impact for Rutgers. He is the second highest recruit to sign with Rutgers in the 247Sports era.
Some people view 8th place as below average. But that’s just not the case in the Big Ten. If Rutgers finishes in the top eight of the conference and makes the NCAA Tournament, that’s a win for Rutgers and Steve Pikiell.
7th place: Ohio State
2019-20 record: 21-11 (11-9)
Ohio State is a team that I believe can finish in the top five of the conference if everything aligns perfectly for them. I’m a big believer in coach Chris Holtmann. The Buckeyes have a solid core of players back like Kyle Young, E.J. Liddel, and C.J. Walker.
They will also be helped by Harvard transfer Seth Towns. He is a big wing who can be a versatile scorer when put in good spots. Towns was a 16 points per game scorer for Harvard so he knows how to fill it up.
Ohio State is almost a guaranteed NCAA Tournament team baring any crazy injuries. Can Holtmann get his Buckeyes to compete for a conference championship this season? I don’t think so but they will still be a tough opponent for everyone in the conference this season.
6th Place: Indiana
2019-20 record: 20-12 (9-11)
Indiana is always tough to predict. The talent is there. As a matter of fact, Indiana will have nine former top-150 recruits on their team this season. That is second most in the conference only trailing Michigan State’s ten.
I think this is the year they will make some noise in the Big Ten and have a good season. Trayce Jackson-Davis is back and will look to compete for Big Ten Player of the Year. I don’t have a ton of faith in Archie Miller but talent usually wins. Look for Indiana to be a major threat in the Big Ten.