Michigan Basketball: Predicting the 2020-21 Big Ten standings
By Max S.
Fifth Place: Iowa
2019-20 record: 20-11 (11-9)
I might be the only person in the world predicting Iowa to finish this low in the Big Ten. I already know the question that I’m going to get most. “How could you possibly have Iowa finishing behind Michigan and Michigan State?” So let me answer that question right now. Simply put, I trust those two teams more.
If I was doing these rankings based solely off the ceiling of every team, I’d probably have Iowa in the top three. They return Big Ten Player of the Year Luka Garza. They return sharpshooter CJ Fredrick. Wieskamp, Bohannon, and Toussaint are all back. But there’s more factors in play than that and coaching is a big one.
So let me ask whoever is reading this a couple of questions. Do you trust Fran McCaffery to get his team to play defense this season? Do you trust Iowa to beat the likes of Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, or Wisconsin in a crucial late season Big Ten game? Do you trust Iowa to not crumble at the end of the year? I don’t either.
Fourth Place: Michigan
2019-20 record: 19-12 (10-10)
Year two is a monster year for Juwan Howard. I personally think he has answered a lot of question marks about him over the last year and a half. Yes he can coach. Yes he can recruit. Now it’s about being consistent through a full season and taking Michigan basketball back to the top half of the conference.
Isaiah Livers is back and healthy. Franz Wagner is poised for a big breakout season. Michigan brings in three top-100 recruits who are all looking to make an immediate impact. And lastly, Juwan Howard brought in two veteran leaders in transfers Chaundee Brown and Mike Smith.
If the Wolverines stay healthy and all the new pieces fit together, Michigan basketball is going to surprise a lot of people this season.
3rd place: Michigan State
2019-20 record: 22-9 (14-6)
It’s kind of weird to not have the three time defending Big Ten Champions as the favorite to win the conference yet again this season. Then again, it’s also kind of weird to predict a team that’s losing their starting center and point guard to finish 3rd the following season.
Most teams that lose one of the best players in program history take a sizable step back the following year. But Michigan State is not most teams.
They have the best coach in the conference and arguably the most talented roster top to bottom in the Big Ten. So why don’t I have them winning the Big Ten? Too many question marks.
Can Rocket Watts be effective on the ball and fill the void left by Cassius Winston? Who is going to be the starting center? Is Joey Hauser as good as advertised?
If these questions get answered and Tom Izzo’s team clicks, don’t be surprised if Michigan State makes a run at their fourth Big Ten Championship in a row.