by Bob Baptist and Jim Massie, The Columbus Dispatch , The Columbus Dispatch

\ Is the Big Ten back?

Looks like it. Bashers noted that only one conference player, Ohio State freshman B.J. Mullens, went in the NBA draft. They didn't mention it was because all five players voted first-team All-Big Ten -- and 11 of the 15 on the first, second and third teams -- return to a league that was the nation's second strongest, according to the Rating Percentage Index. Michigan State and Purdue are preseason top-10 teams being mentioned by national media as Final Four-worthy. Four more -- Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois -- are in or on the verge of the top 25. And Wisconsin has never missed the NCAA Tournament with Bo Ryan as coach.

\ Which teams can win the title?

Michigan State and Purdue are the favorites. The Spartans won the Big Ten championship by four games last season, reached the NCAA championship game and return 11 of their top 13 players. Coach Tom Izzo is on record as saying they can be as good as his 2000 NCAA title team. Purdue, meanwhile, has a healthy Robbie Hummel -- last season's Big Ten preseason player of the year before a back injury -- anchoring a lineup that returns six of its top seven players, including all five starters. Every other team has bigger questions to answer than the other two.

\ Who are the sleepers?

Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota finished within one or two games of second place last season and return all of their starters and most of their reserves. The Buckeyes have to rebound better and get more scoring support for Evan Turner. Michigan has a potent offense built around Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims, but has to be stronger at the defensive end. Minnesota is the opposite case, sound defensively but offensively challenged.

\ Which coaches are on the hot seat?

Only one, Todd Lickliter of Iowa, seems to be getting warm as players transfer out and he tries to replace them with better fits for his system. The former Butler coach is 11-25 in the Big Ten in two seasons and this offseason said goodbye to his best player, guard Jake Kelly, who transferred home to Indiana State for family reasons. Lickliter has a young roster without a lot of size.

\ Who are the five best players?

Last season's All-Big Ten first team returns intact: guards Talor Battle of Penn State, Manny Harris of Michigan, Kalin Lucas of Michigan State and Evan Turner of Ohio State along with center JaJuan Johnson of Purdue. Better than any of them, though, might be Hummel, who is healthy again and was voted over Johnson to the preseason All-Big Ten team.

\ Which newcomers will become household names?

Not a Rolls Royce (read McDonald's All-American) in the bunch, but there is power forward Royce White, who should augment Minnesota's interior play when he returns from indefinite suspension. Long forward Christian Watford will upgrade Indiana's athleticism and is among three freshmen who could start for the Hoosiers. Wing guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul should help Illinois get up and down the floor more than in recent years.

\ Who will be dancing on Selection Sunday?

Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern. \ \

bbaptist@dispatch.com \ \ * * * *

WOMEN

\ Which teams can win the title?

Ohio State and Michigan State are the clear favorites. The Buckeyes have won at least a piece of the past five regular-season championships. The Spartans have five starters returning from a team that upset top-seeded Duke in the NCAA Tournament. A veteran Minnesota team also has the physical toughness to beat anyone in the conference. Purdue will need time to overcome graduation losses and injuries, but will be tough come tournament time.

\ Who are the sleepers?

Illinois and Northwestern are poised to surprise. The Illini have the most highly touted recruiting class, headed by center Destiny Williams, to add to returning stars Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson. Northwestern, under second-year coach Joe McKeown, suddenly has a young, strong front line in junior Amy Jaeschke, sophomore Brittany Orban and freshman Kendall Hackney. Guard play will tell for both teams.

\ Who are the five best players?

It's hard to argue against Ohio State junior center Jantel Lavender, a two-time Big Ten player of the year. Coaches and media tabbed OSU sophomore point guard Samantha Prahalis, Penn State senior guard Tyra Grant, Illinois senior center Jenna Smith and Michigan State center Allyssa DeHaan with Lavender on the preseason all-conference team.

\ Who will be dancing on Selection Sunday?

Ohio State, Michigan State, Minnesota and Purdue are good enough to have invitations written in ink. Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern will scrap over the fifth spot.

jmassie@dispatch.com \

Box Story: \

Copyright 2009 The Columbus Dispatch All Rights Reserved
	Terms & Conditions     Privacy Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.