5 CBS writers predicted how the B1G season would play out.
The 5 writers had Iowa finishing anywhere between 8th and 12th.
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year: Jeremy Fears | PG | Michigan State
Big Ten Freshman of the Year: Nikola Kusturica | SF | UCLA
CBS' Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Illinois
2. Michigan State
3. Michigan
4. UCLA
5. USC
6. Nebraska
7. Ohio State
8. Purdue
9. Indiana
10. IOWA
Breakdown:
Iowa got big boy'd a few too many times during Big Ten play and again in the Elite Eight loss to rival
Illinois, so Ben McCollum did something about it.
Iowa reeled in 7-3 Saint Mary's transfer Andrew McKeever, who single-handedly can vacuum-clean the glass.
That means Iowa can start 6-7, do-it-all wing Tate Sage, 6-8 sniper Cooper Koch and 6-9 dirty-work forward Cam Manyawu next to the second-tallest player in the Big Ten.
That's an enormous team, and that doesn't include a second unit that features talented, skilled bigs like Trey Thompson and Trevin Jirak who wisely stuck around to see the fruits of their labor after a year of seasoning in the McCollum think tank.
Better rebounding, more second-chance points and much-improved rim protection is how Iowa can tweak its game plan to replace the irreplaceable Bennett Stirtz. The Hawkeyes saved some dough in the backcourt — they're recruiting 5-star Cayden Daughtry, who is worth every penny — so McCollum needs Kael Combs and
Illinois State transfer Ty'Reek Coleman to get up to speed quickly with bigger roles.
Plenty of people expect Iowa to be worse this year without Stirtz.
I think the added size could make 'em better as long as the guard play isn't a disaster.
Projected starting lineup
Top reserves: G
Ty'Reek Coleman, G
Isaia Howard, F
Trey Thompson, F
Trevin Jirak, F Ethan Harris, G Jaidyn Coon
11. Maryland
12. Wisconsin
13. Oregon
14. Minnesota
15. Washington
16. Rutgers
17. Northwestern
18. Penn State
How many teams will receive bids to the NCAA Tournament from the Big Ten this season?
www.cbssports.com
