Big Ten in Review

 

A look back at the Big Ten's past season, and a look ahead to this year's. By Hannah McCaffrey

    With the 2011-12 season just around the corner, the Big Ten is gearing up for an action packed year. The Big Ten finished last season on a relatively strong note with seven teams qualifying for the NCAA tournament: Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Ohio State and Wisconsin faired extremely well by making it to the Sweet 16.

   The standings for last year’s inter-conference play were:

1. Ohio State 16-2

2. Purdue 14-4

3. Wisconsin 13-5

4. Michigan 9-9

5. Illinois 9-9

6. Michigan State 9-9

7. Penn State 9-9

8. Northwestern 7-11

9. Minnesota 6-12

10. Iowa 4-14

11. Indiana 3-15 

    As for this upcoming season, the Big Ten welcomes Nebraska to its first year of 

play in the conference. In addition to playing in the already competitive inter-

conference games, the Huskers face a tough non-conference schedule including USC, 

Wake Forest, and Oregon. It will be interesting to see how the newcomer fairs. 

Nebraska will most certainly be put to the test and will either sink or swim.

    Another team to watch is the always-competitive Ohio State. Consistently high performance means always accepting a tough schedule, and the formula for Ohio’s upcoming season is no different. This year, however,Ohio’s roster is comprised of one senior and 11 underclassmen, including five freshmen. A young and inexperienced team always brings surprises to the table, and can either make or break Ohio’s upcoming season.

Sophomore Jared Sullinger will start the year off on many All-American

lists. But will he be enough for the Buckeyes to succeed this season?

    Amid the chaos of conference realignment in the NCAA, the Big Ten is keeping consistent and will without a doubt offer fans a hugely entertaining and competitive season.