December 29, 2008
Big Ten Network teleconference: Dave Revsine, Jim Jackson & Tim Doyle
The Big Ten is having its best non-conference season in two decades. Which teams will continue to shine when conference play begins next week?
The Big Ten Network's Dave Revsine, Jim Jackson and Tim Doyle participated in a teleconference previewing the 2008-09 Big Ten men's basketball conference season. The trio shared their thoughts on Big Ten basketball topics, including the upcoming conference race following non-conference play, the players who have caught their eye in the early going and which team is the favorite to cut down the nets in Indianapolis in March.
BIG TEN NETWORK – 2008-2009 BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE PREVIEW
December 29, 2008
Hosts: Mike Vest, Dave Revsine, Jim Jackson, Tim Doyle
Our first question comes from Marcus Fuller with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Go ahead, please.
Marcus Fuller: Both Jim and Tim, and just, could you talk about the non-conference season that the Big Ten has had, obviously, it's one of the best in years and, you know, where does that fit into the Big Ten Conference race, the title race, as far the teams that, you know, did fair pretty well during the non-conference?
Jim Jackson: This is Jimmy. I mean, I think, like you said, the non-conference season has been a great one for the Big Ten. I think they did a good job of scheduling in ways that their teams can grow, they can get a sense and feel of how good their teams could be. We had some big wins during the non-conference season, was hosted [ph] by Michigan beating UCLA and Duke, of course. Ohio State and their two key wins against top-ranked opponents, Minnesota being able to go into a neutral site and beat Louisville. I think it bodes well, I think there were some questions about how strong the conference really is because a lot of teams didn't have, you know, have more of a softer non-conference schedule, but what I think it was able to do was get a sense and feel of each team of what their capability was. Wisconsin had a tough loss against Texas, but you can kind of see the makings of a really good team there as well. So, I like what the non-conference season held for these teams. I think it's going to be a very competitive Big Ten season based on what I saw in the non-conference early season.
Tim Doyle: Yes, as for non-conference wins, I mean, we're going to look back in March when people start putting together resumes and, you know, flat out shake your head because it seems like every team in the conference has such quality wins. I think the teams that benefited most in the non-conference were Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota. I think what it probably did up there in the second year, and just this crafty scheduling, of scheduling teams that, you know, he figured he could beat and then, really, just like put all your eggs in one basket and say, ""Hey, let's play a Top 10 team. If we can get this win, this is a win everyone's going to remember us by,"" that, you know, they played in the football stadium and there was maybe 900 people in the gym, and Louisville came out flat and hey, they beat them so, at the end—at the end of the day, they're going to go back and see that as a ""W"" but, I mean, Sims, Tubby, and B-line [ph] and the expected years at these schools, I mean, what they've done in Michigan, I mean, their talent hasn't really changed that much. Sims was a hold-over from Ambecker's [ph] days, and Manny Harris is only a sophomore, and what he's been able to do in that short time has just been remarkable. And then, Thad Matta at Ohio State, I mean, what else could be said. I think Evan Turner is clearly one of the top five players in the league and my pick right now as most improved player because he really is the do-it-all type guy for that team. But, those three teams have really stood out, to me, the most, in non-conference play.
Marcus Fuller: I guess the question was also that, you know, I think that that translates into, do you think that fits into the title, the Big Ten, that's—what they did in the non-conference?
Tim Doyle: You know, I'm not sold—I am still not sold on those three teams, to be honest with you. I want to see them go through the conference play, but what they've done non-conference-wise is, obviously, so legit and it made them viable contenders. But, I still feel, deep down, that Purdue and Michigan State are the best teams in the conference. I still think Purdue is the best team. I mean, their two losses out of the Top 5 teams, and Oklahoma and Duke, so I'm still going with the favorites right now, but you're going to go on the road to Ohio State and Michigan, and Minnesota, and they're all going to be tough games to win. But I'm still picking the chalk right now, I like the favorites, in Purdue and with Michigan State.
Dave Revsine: If I can interject here, too, I mean, to me, the question, to a certain extent also is not so much—not to minimize in any way winning the conference because, obviously, that's a huge goal for everyone when you start the season but, you know, I think the real question is, you know, are these potential NCAA Tournament teams or not? You know, I think it's a resounding ""yes"" for all of them. And that, you know, that really is, to me, the big story coming out of this non-conference is that you got, you know, nine or 10 teams that you could say, legitimately, are certainly in the discussion as tournament possibilities, and that's—I don't think anyone would have said that coming into the year. So, to me, that's, again, not to minimize winning the conference. Everyone sets that as a goal, but they also set making that tournament and having a chance to make some noise in March, and I think you got a lot of teams, so you could make an argument have a chance to do that.
Jim Jackson: And I agree as well. I agree with Tim and Dave that Purdue and Minnes—I mean, Michigan State, are two top tier teams. I think you saw what the difference going on two-time may, when they played against Texas, and I think the three teams that are right there, with Michigan—I mean, with Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota—I even like Penn State from that aspect. I don't know if their title contenders, there's still a lot of questions that need to be answered because they're still young and trying to understand the systems. But what makes it good is that these teams will make this conference stronger because what's hurt the league over the years is that the middle of the team—the middle of the pack teams hasn't been as competitive. And this year, they will be, so we're going to see some upsets, and it's a matter of if these teams can go to Michigan State and Purdue and win a game, and then we're talking about really making a viable name for themselves and the conference, in turn, to compete for a Big Ten title that way.
Operator: Okay. Thank you. And, once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press the star followed by the one.
And our next question comes from Nate Mink with the Daily Collegian. Go ahead, please.
Nate Mink: Jim, if you were to—Penn State has a young squad with a couple of strong players in Jamelle Cornley and Talor Battle, how big an improvement can this team expect to make coming off a 7 and 11 Big Ten record a season ago?
Jim Jackson: For me, I think it can make a big improvement, because they were over 500 last year at home in the Big Ten. They came off some really good wins, beat Michigan State, they were very competitive. What I like about the team is the back court with Battle and Pringle. I think those two guys really spread the court, they can penetrate, they can get to the back. You have a great 3-point shooter in Morrissey on the wing, but then you have inside, you have Andrew Jones, you have Cornley inside. This team is going to be very competitive, and I look for them to really be right there for that fifth, sixth slot, you know, when we talk about where they'll finish in the Big Ten, but also talking about tournament play, we may get back to the mid-'90's where you see five or six teams from the Big Ten now going to the postseason tournament.
Nate Mink: They also—they also enter Big Ten play with the most wins they've ever had. You know, granted, it was a non-conference schedule, they got a couple of wins in there again, you know, a team like Georgia Tech. So, do you think this team, you know, is truly a contender to garner some sort of postseason birth, even if it's, again, high tier?
Dave Revsine: And I absolutely think they're a postseason team, you know, whether—maybe in the NIT, I think they are—you know, coming into the year, they were kind of my NCAA Tournament dark horse, and I haven't seen anything to kind of disabuse me of that notion, and I still think that's a really solid team for, you know, exactly the reasons Jimmy said, the back court is as quick as any back court you'll find in the country. I love Talor Battle. You know, if you look at the breakdown of the big games versus, you know, of the losses versus wins, I think he has been much better, in the wins, even much better against somewhat softer competition. So, you know, I do want to see how he does coming into the conference. But, you know, I think he's a phenomenal player. He's certainly in the discussion right now for, you know, kind of first team, all Big Ten and Big Ten MVP kind of, seating, I mean, that's what I kind of year he's had so far. Pringle's pretty improved. You know, to me, the big question mark is going to be, can one of these young post players step up, you know, whether it's Jackson or Jones or—but one of those players has to kind of step to the forefront and get markedly better, and we just haven't really seen that to this point of any of those guys. But, you know, to answer the question, I don't know [audio interference] at least in the NIT and, you know, I think they're one of those teams that can kind of be in the conversation. We'll know a lot more in 10 days or so from now in Penn State and see how they do in these early conference games, to know—when Northwestern comes there, that's a game I know they feel like they should win. You know, if they can knock off Purdue when they come in on the 6th, I mean, that's a huge game. So, we'll know a lot more about Penn State, I think, 10 days or so from now.
Operator: Okay, thank you. And, once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one.
And we have a follow-up question from Marcus Fuller. Go ahead, please.
Marcus Fuller: I'm going to talk your ear off, guys, here, but I—another question with Minnesota. A knock on them has been that they—got a lot of—a lot of people think that they don't have a marquee player, you know, be an all-conference type of player. They have a lot of, you know, good players, role players, you know, do you think that separates them from, you know, some of the contenders in this conference?
Tim Doyle: Right now, they're playing 10 guys over 14 minutes, and each of those 10 guys are scoring over 6 points a game. So, you know, I thought he was just playing those guys against the Concordias and the Eastern Washingtons, the North Dakota States, but I watched that Louisville game start to finish and it was five in, five out, and a lot of guys are getting a lot of minutes, and Sampson's on one team and Iverson's on the other, and they just seemed very well balanced. Their second team is almost as good as their first. Their second team has a guy like Hoffarber, who could really light it up, and their first team has a guy like Johnson, who's a great athlete, so I think they're a very dynamic team, and right now, you know, all the pieces of the puzzle seem to be working out well, and The Barn is a very difficult place to play. And if you think back to last year, games like Indiana, Wisconsin, and to any games to the very end, and—because they were borderline, like two wins away from going to the tournament last year, so I think you got to schedule the games, you got to schedule because they lost their three top seniors. If you had to build a nucleus, give the ball over to Nolen, establish the guards, and Westbrook and Nolen after you lose a guy like Coleman, McKenzie tossed, and guys that played a lot, a big 10 minutes, so I think they're for real right now. I think they're a different type of team in that they are legit 10 deep.
Marcus Fuller: Do you see any of their players making a push for an all-conference best season?
Tim Doyle: Absolutely. Al Nolen is averaging over six assists a game, and I think he's really demonstrated what a great floor leader he is. I think that coaches understand how valuable point guards are and even though he doesn't put up huge scoring numbers, he took double-digit free throw attempts and was huge making free throws at the end of games, and the coaches really understand how valuable that is. But, you know, as for guys being named Player of the Year, probably not but, collectively, their team is so solid one through 10.
Operator: Okay, thank you. And once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one.
And our next question comes from John Supinie with Gatehouse News Service. Go ahead, please.
John Supinie: Hey, guys. I'm kind of curious on your take on Illinois, just—they've got a pretty good record but, you know, they've had a—they've had a schedule that—they really have to get there. What do you guys see from Illinois?
Jim Jackson: I had a chance to cover them on a game, and I think it goes back to Demetri McCamey. When he plays against top caliber teams, he really steps his game up. It's when he plays against teams that are not rated or not highly—where he doesn't get highly motivated, and that hurts their team because they have a good nucleus there. I think Mike Davis has stepped up his game really well and starting to show what kind of player he can be. Again, Bruce Weber, the strength of this team has always been in the backcourt. When their backcourt with Deron Williams and Luther Head and Dee Brown and those guys were playing, everything else kind of flourish around them, you kind of see that a little bit this year. Frazier gives you that defensive minded kind of player, hard-nosed kind of guy. Meacham will give you the 3-point threat when he's on, and McCamey can break down the defense when he's motivated and focused. That's going to be the key for them. I think that, again, they have a player that could be an all-conference type of player in McCamey. They have some very good complementary players when they're playing well. They'll be very competitive, but I don't see them competing for a title this year. But as their bigs continue to get better, I can see them really competing and being one of those teams. They've got to do some replacements, I think. Alex Legion, when he really gets into the fold, he'll help them score on their team, is yet to see what happens in conference play because we're just getting there, what kind of impact it'll make, but I think he'll totally change the dynamic if he pans out to be the player that they want—that they envision him to be because he has the skill set to be a great scorer. And by putting him in the lineup, you change the dynamic for that team, with McCamey and Legion on the perimeter right there playing with—alongside each other.
Dave Revsine: Yes, I agree with Jimmy, I've seen Illinois quite a bit and had a chance to go down to practice and visit with Coach Weber, and really get a sense of what he was focusing on. And I think they're dramatically improved, maybe the most improved team in the league, and I think a huge reason for that is just the chemistry. I mean, they just seem to blend a little bit better than they did last year. They're, obviously, shooting the ball a lot better, and guys have improved. I mean, Mike Davis, for my money, is the most improved player in the league at this point, you know, a guy who's really starting to mature and realize what he can do and how he can contribute in different ways on the court. I think Frazier has upped his game doing a lot of little things dishing the ball out well and rebounding extremely well. I think they're kind of fitting the pieces in place. I'm really impressed with Tisdale, I think he's found the baseline and the kind of elbow or spots he's just going to kind of just sit around there and look for—look for his shot, and those are his spots on the floor, and he's done a really good job of being very consistent from those spots. I think they've got a lot of guys who have just kind of improved their game and found their niches and, again, are they going to compete for a title? I don't think so, I think we're still a little ways away from that. But, they certainly can be a tournament team, and that's a lot better than I thought they would be. To me, they're a very pleasant surprise.
John Supinie: How about you, Tim? Do you see Illinois? You know, there's a lot of teams, you guys have already mentioned, it seemed like they're probably a little bit ahead of Illinois going into the race, but do you see them as having a shot at the NCAA birth?
Tim Doyle: I absolutely see them having a shot, I mean, hey, they're only three points away from being undefeated. I mean, they lost that Clemson game at home, a game they easily could have won, but I think Bruce Weber inherited a situation there where he had some unbelievable players and he had such a magical run for the national title game and, you know, I think he's learned how to recruit down there, and it's taken him some time, he's had some bumps in the road. And now, he kind of—because all these guys are his guys, they're all his. And, you know, he's kind of meandering his way around the recruiting thing, and I think he's kind of figured it out. And now, you know, Chester Frazier is looking like he's playing better, it's just that he's surrounded by more capable guys like a McCamey, a Meacham. Mike Davis has been absolutely phenomenal this year, and Tisdale. So, when Frazier's out there as the fifth scorer, then their team is more effective. And, you know, that place down there is going to be a tough place to play for opposing teams, in Champaign, and I think they definitely have a shot to get nine, 10 conference wins coupled with their, you know, 11 non-conference wins, 12 con—non-conference wins, who says they're not an NCAA team? I have them out right now because I already have five teams in, but they easily could be the sixth team in, and I could easily see them getting 9, 10 wins in conference.
John Supinie: Thanks, guys.
Operator: Thank you. And once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. One moment, please, for our next question.
Mike Vest: Guys, Dave already mentioned Mike Davis. For Tim and Jimmy, which players come to mind as the pleasant surprises in the Big Ten so far, and what's changed for those players to allow them to improve so much?
Tim Doyle: Well, for me, it's Evan Turner that jumps off the page right away. And I think he's kind of been forced into Jamal Butler's role of always having the ball in his hands, of always being that guy at the end of the shot clock to make a decision, not necessarily score, but find an open teammate, and he has just been absolutely unbelievable. Here's a guy that only averaged eight points a game last year, and now he's rebounding, he's having to assist. I know they had a tough loss this weekend, but him, along with Davis. Who else has been good? Summers had big time shots for Michigan State, he's a guy that's, say anything you want about Michigan State, but they still had to replace a guy like Drew Neitzel, so they're still trying to figure out their chemistry, who belongs on that court and he made a huge shot down in Texas, so maybe that's going to be the springboard in the Big Ten, at the conference play, but I really think Davis and Turner are the two guys that stand out the most. Also, Talor Battle, I mean, I think right now, he's the best point guard in the Big Ten. He absolutely played a bunch of tough gigs but, I mean, that guy is absolutely phenomenal, he is overtaking Lucas, in my mind, as the best point guard in the Big Ten.
Jim Jackson: And I'll agree with Tim on that, from Evan's standpoint. I think Evan, I watched him early last year, and he has all the tools to be an all-around complete player, 6'7"", 6'7-1/2"" with long arms, rangy. He's starting to get an understanding that he can be effective here, offensively and defensively, because he's blocking shots, he's rebounding, he's initiating a break, but he's scoring. Now, to take it to another level, he has to believe he can do it every game, and I think he's understanding how to score different ways, outside of the offense—offensive rebounds, on the break, secondary—second shot opportunity. These things he's learning right now, and that's just from maturity. Again, he was thrust in that situation last year, so he was able to learn. I think Talor Battle, I agree with Tim wholeheartedly, the games that I saw him play last year and they kind of worked in his favor, not in Penn State's, but when Clarkson went down, Talor kind of elevated his game. He really stepped up. I think the Michigan State game was a prime example. He hit some big shots down the stretch of some key games last year. This year, he comes in with a confidence knowing that he can do it on a consistent basis. So, as I look at it, he's one of those guys that controls the destiny of his team because of how he plays. I think Al Nolen as well, I think a young point guard that puts a lot of pressure defensively on opposing point guard, he can get to the back, but the question is going to be, can he continue to improve his 15 to 18-foot jump shot? That opens up the court a lot more for him and his players, so those three players I see have made big strides but have so much more potential to be the kind of player I think that, to really contend for, you know, Big Ten Player of the Year, maybe not this year, Evan could, but, you know, definitely in the next couple of years.
Operator: Okay, and we have a follow-up question from John Supinie. Go ahead, please.
John Supinie: Hey, Tim, you said Illinois was on the outside a little bit and you already had five, who are the five teams you got going in the NCAA right now?
Tim Doyle: Yes, right now, I got the two Michigans, Michigan and Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Minnesota. So, yes, Illinois, I mean, it's just a matter, I mean, I want to put the whole conference in right now. I want to put Northwestern in, and so, you know [talk over]—
John Supinie: Yes. Yes, yes.
Tim Doyle: —right now because everyone has just this great record, but you know, just—those five teams have just unbelievable resumes. Ohio State goes down and beats Miami like these tournament teams, and then follow up with a neutral site win over Notre Dame. I mean, I think Notre Dame's a more talented team, I think they're a better team, but on that day, Ohio State caught them, right, and that's a great win. Minnesota is undefeated. They have a win over a Top 10 team and they're going to win some games in conference. Michigan's resume is just so great right now. I think Illinois might be a better team, and I think when Michigan goes down to Illinois that they'll probably lose that game. So, I think conference play's going to really dictate a lot, and it's going to have those outside teams like Illinois, Penn State— Wisconsin's another team that everyone picked third. I don't have them in right now because, you know, they don't have many great resumes may win, but, you know, all three of those teams could really pole vault themselves into NCAA dance-like mode if they can still get some big conference wins.
John Supinie: Before the season, Weber was—Weber was, you know, he knew the question mark was the interior play, is that still the point, that, you know, at this point, is it—do you guys still wonder what these guys have inside?
Dave Revsine: I think there's a question about the depth inside, but I think in terms of the first two guys, I mean, you know, Davis, last I looked, was leading the Big Ten in rebounding. If he's not, he's certainly right up there and, you know, Tisdale has been vastly improved. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a team that has had two players that have improved as dramatically as those two guys have. I think some of those questions are answered. I think there's still questions about, you know, Richard Semrau, and guys like that, you know, Bill Cole, I mean, these are guys that you kind of hoped would come along a little more and would have progressed more at this point. But, you know, when you look at the starters, the guys who are going to see the bulk of the minutes, I think they can match up with just about anyone inside.
Jim Jackson: For Illinois, the Big men don't have to be great. Last year Pruitt really carried them because from a perimeter standpoint, they were young. This team and this year's team and this year's bigs, they don't have to be great. They don't have to out and score 15 to 20 points. If they can rebound, maybe get some double digits, but block some shots, play great interior defense, the guards are going to be able to create opportunities where they can score off of penetrating moves with drop-off passes, offensive rebound and those things like that. So, they have improvements, but how good they're going to be is really going to be based on those things I just mentioned, offensive rebounds, how many block shots, how good is their interior defense. Those things, like that, I think is how I judge their interior things, on how good this team can be. I base it around those—that kind of criteria more than the kind of the all-American big guy and, you know, a B. J. Mullens type of player. They don't have it, but they have great complementary big guys who can continue to improve.
John Supinie: And one more thing, what have you seen with Purdue, have you—especially Lewis Jackson, what does he give Purdue that maybe they didn't have last year?
Jim Jackson: When we talked about in the studio, Tim, and Dave and I, before that I felt that one of the biggest things that hurt Purdue last year and towards the beginning of this year was not having that point guard that could push the ball. I think Keaton Grant is a very good player, but I see him more as a two guard with E'Twaun Moore playing to three, and Robbie Hummel playing to four, that allows them to be recipients or receivers of plays instead of trying to create the reach-up. I think Lewis Jackson can be that point guard that gives you that initial thrust up the court, if you don't have it, you pull it back out because you need that with those type of players. You need a point guard that can create for the big down low but also create easy opportunities for a Robbie Hummel, for an E'Twaun Moore and even for a Keaton, so again, he's young, but I think in this system he doesn't have to do a lot, he just has to initiate that offense, turn the ball over, but make smart decisions, and hoping he can do that because that gives them a better option when they play to have that type of point guard running the team.
Operator: Okay, thank you. And once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one.
And we have another follow-up question from Marcus Fuller. Go ahead, please.
Marcus Fuller: You guys actually answered a little bit of it. I was going to ask you, who do you think that are the most impressive freshman so far going into the Big Ten. Maybe I'll get more specific and ask you, what do you think of the two freshman big men from Minnesota, Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III, do either of you that think—have seen them play?
Tim Doyle: Yes, I think each of those big guys is just going to be really a tremendous force for the Gophers and that defense that had a big game yesterday, Iverson's had big games against just some of the non-conference teams earlier this year, but when they're out there together and you see two 19-year-olds, you know, working in unison, I saw that pass that Sampson to Iverson yesterday for the dunk and, you know, it really makes your mind really wonder if they could almost have like a Olajuwon-Ralph Sampson-type thing that they had when there was the Twin Towers down in Houston, you know. So to think that these guys are only freshman, they're able to work together, be on the court together, and not like running into each other and stuff, because when you see 19-year-olds at seven feet, normally they're not too coordinated or they look like they're running with two left feet. But these guys, out there together with hooking each other up for passes and is really something very interesting to watch. And, you know, two years, three years from now, if these guys are still in college, I mean, it's going to be really a scary front line in the way Tubby likes to pressure the ball, to have those guys in the back defensibly to make up for mistakes of gambling and stuff. I mean, geez. And Minnesota's done a great job of bringing guys in and that's just such an interesting formula that they're playing two 7-footers at once, and they're really fun to watch.
Marcus Fuller: You—any of you guys, do you remember a front line of two freshman that big in the Big Ten, going back over the years? Maybe young, you know, a young court like that?
Tim Doyle: Jackson, can you think of anything?
Jim Jackson: That's what—I'm trying to—I'm trying to think of two that came in. I mean, if you look at—yes, I mean, if you look at Juwan Howard and Chris Webber inside— are we talking about freshman?
Marcus Fuller: Right.
Jim Jackson: You know, during that Fab Five era, those two, and you can't compare these, those two were great complements, and I think the same thing with Colton Iverson and Sampson. In Iverson, you have a guy inside who's going to be able to bang and rebound. You have more a guy, in Sampson, has a little bit probably more skill set, but probably not as physical. I mean, it's very similar to what you had in Michigan. Juwan Howard was a more skilled player, who had the up and under's, the jump hooks. Chris Webber was more of a raw talent, you know. Now, I'm not saying that Ralph Sampson and Colton Iverson's going to have that potential but their skills offset each other and I think they complement each other instead of having two big guys inside that need to have the ball, their skill sets kind of offset each other, will compliment each other.
Operator: Okay, and thank you. And ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude the 2008 2009 Big Ten Men's Basketball Conference Preview.
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Big Ten Network teleconference: Dave Revsine, Jim Jackson & Tim Doyle
The Big Ten is having its best non-conference season in two decades. Which teams will continue to shine when conference play begins next week?
The Big Ten Network's Dave Revsine, Jim Jackson and Tim Doyle participated in a teleconference previewing the 2008-09 Big Ten men's basketball conference season. The trio shared their thoughts on Big Ten basketball topics, including the upcoming conference race following non-conference play, the players who have caught their eye in the early going and which team is the favorite to cut down the nets in Indianapolis in March.
BIG TEN NETWORK – 2008-2009 BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE PREVIEW
December 29, 2008
Hosts: Mike Vest, Dave Revsine, Jim Jackson, Tim Doyle
Our first question comes from Marcus Fuller with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Go ahead, please.
Marcus Fuller: Both Jim and Tim, and just, could you talk about the non-conference season that the Big Ten has had, obviously, it's one of the best in years and, you know, where does that fit into the Big Ten Conference race, the title race, as far the teams that, you know, did fair pretty well during the non-conference?
Jim Jackson: This is Jimmy. I mean, I think, like you said, the non-conference season has been a great one for the Big Ten. I think they did a good job of scheduling in ways that their teams can grow, they can get a sense and feel of how good their teams could be. We had some big wins during the non-conference season, was hosted [ph] by Michigan beating UCLA and Duke, of course. Ohio State and their two key wins against top-ranked opponents, Minnesota being able to go into a neutral site and beat Louisville. I think it bodes well, I think there were some questions about how strong the conference really is because a lot of teams didn't have, you know, have more of a softer non-conference schedule, but what I think it was able to do was get a sense and feel of each team of what their capability was. Wisconsin had a tough loss against Texas, but you can kind of see the makings of a really good team there as well. So, I like what the non-conference season held for these teams. I think it's going to be a very competitive Big Ten season based on what I saw in the non-conference early season.
Tim Doyle: Yes, as for non-conference wins, I mean, we're going to look back in March when people start putting together resumes and, you know, flat out shake your head because it seems like every team in the conference has such quality wins. I think the teams that benefited most in the non-conference were Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota. I think what it probably did up there in the second year, and just this crafty scheduling, of scheduling teams that, you know, he figured he could beat and then, really, just like put all your eggs in one basket and say, ""Hey, let's play a Top 10 team. If we can get this win, this is a win everyone's going to remember us by,"" that, you know, they played in the football stadium and there was maybe 900 people in the gym, and Louisville came out flat and hey, they beat them so, at the end—at the end of the day, they're going to go back and see that as a ""W"" but, I mean, Sims, Tubby, and B-line [ph] and the expected years at these schools, I mean, what they've done in Michigan, I mean, their talent hasn't really changed that much. Sims was a hold-over from Ambecker's [ph] days, and Manny Harris is only a sophomore, and what he's been able to do in that short time has just been remarkable. And then, Thad Matta at Ohio State, I mean, what else could be said. I think Evan Turner is clearly one of the top five players in the league and my pick right now as most improved player because he really is the do-it-all type guy for that team. But, those three teams have really stood out, to me, the most, in non-conference play.
Marcus Fuller: I guess the question was also that, you know, I think that that translates into, do you think that fits into the title, the Big Ten, that's—what they did in the non-conference?
Tim Doyle: You know, I'm not sold—I am still not sold on those three teams, to be honest with you. I want to see them go through the conference play, but what they've done non-conference-wise is, obviously, so legit and it made them viable contenders. But, I still feel, deep down, that Purdue and Michigan State are the best teams in the conference. I still think Purdue is the best team. I mean, their two losses out of the Top 5 teams, and Oklahoma and Duke, so I'm still going with the favorites right now, but you're going to go on the road to Ohio State and Michigan, and Minnesota, and they're all going to be tough games to win. But I'm still picking the chalk right now, I like the favorites, in Purdue and with Michigan State.
Dave Revsine: If I can interject here, too, I mean, to me, the question, to a certain extent also is not so much—not to minimize in any way winning the conference because, obviously, that's a huge goal for everyone when you start the season but, you know, I think the real question is, you know, are these potential NCAA Tournament teams or not? You know, I think it's a resounding ""yes"" for all of them. And that, you know, that really is, to me, the big story coming out of this non-conference is that you got, you know, nine or 10 teams that you could say, legitimately, are certainly in the discussion as tournament possibilities, and that's—I don't think anyone would have said that coming into the year. So, to me, that's, again, not to minimize winning the conference. Everyone sets that as a goal, but they also set making that tournament and having a chance to make some noise in March, and I think you got a lot of teams, so you could make an argument have a chance to do that.
Jim Jackson: And I agree as well. I agree with Tim and Dave that Purdue and Minnes—I mean, Michigan State, are two top tier teams. I think you saw what the difference going on two-time may, when they played against Texas, and I think the three teams that are right there, with Michigan—I mean, with Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota—I even like Penn State from that aspect. I don't know if their title contenders, there's still a lot of questions that need to be answered because they're still young and trying to understand the systems. But what makes it good is that these teams will make this conference stronger because what's hurt the league over the years is that the middle of the team—the middle of the pack teams hasn't been as competitive. And this year, they will be, so we're going to see some upsets, and it's a matter of if these teams can go to Michigan State and Purdue and win a game, and then we're talking about really making a viable name for themselves and the conference, in turn, to compete for a Big Ten title that way.
Operator: Okay. Thank you. And, once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press the star followed by the one.
And our next question comes from Nate Mink with the Daily Collegian. Go ahead, please.
Nate Mink: Jim, if you were to—Penn State has a young squad with a couple of strong players in Jamelle Cornley and Talor Battle, how big an improvement can this team expect to make coming off a 7 and 11 Big Ten record a season ago?
Jim Jackson: For me, I think it can make a big improvement, because they were over 500 last year at home in the Big Ten. They came off some really good wins, beat Michigan State, they were very competitive. What I like about the team is the back court with Battle and Pringle. I think those two guys really spread the court, they can penetrate, they can get to the back. You have a great 3-point shooter in Morrissey on the wing, but then you have inside, you have Andrew Jones, you have Cornley inside. This team is going to be very competitive, and I look for them to really be right there for that fifth, sixth slot, you know, when we talk about where they'll finish in the Big Ten, but also talking about tournament play, we may get back to the mid-'90's where you see five or six teams from the Big Ten now going to the postseason tournament.
Nate Mink: They also—they also enter Big Ten play with the most wins they've ever had. You know, granted, it was a non-conference schedule, they got a couple of wins in there again, you know, a team like Georgia Tech. So, do you think this team, you know, is truly a contender to garner some sort of postseason birth, even if it's, again, high tier?
Dave Revsine: And I absolutely think they're a postseason team, you know, whether—maybe in the NIT, I think they are—you know, coming into the year, they were kind of my NCAA Tournament dark horse, and I haven't seen anything to kind of disabuse me of that notion, and I still think that's a really solid team for, you know, exactly the reasons Jimmy said, the back court is as quick as any back court you'll find in the country. I love Talor Battle. You know, if you look at the breakdown of the big games versus, you know, of the losses versus wins, I think he has been much better, in the wins, even much better against somewhat softer competition. So, you know, I do want to see how he does coming into the conference. But, you know, I think he's a phenomenal player. He's certainly in the discussion right now for, you know, kind of first team, all Big Ten and Big Ten MVP kind of, seating, I mean, that's what I kind of year he's had so far. Pringle's pretty improved. You know, to me, the big question mark is going to be, can one of these young post players step up, you know, whether it's Jackson or Jones or—but one of those players has to kind of step to the forefront and get markedly better, and we just haven't really seen that to this point of any of those guys. But, you know, to answer the question, I don't know [audio interference] at least in the NIT and, you know, I think they're one of those teams that can kind of be in the conversation. We'll know a lot more in 10 days or so from now in Penn State and see how they do in these early conference games, to know—when Northwestern comes there, that's a game I know they feel like they should win. You know, if they can knock off Purdue when they come in on the 6th, I mean, that's a huge game. So, we'll know a lot more about Penn State, I think, 10 days or so from now.
Operator: Okay, thank you. And, once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one.
And we have a follow-up question from Marcus Fuller. Go ahead, please.
Marcus Fuller: I'm going to talk your ear off, guys, here, but I—another question with Minnesota. A knock on them has been that they—got a lot of—a lot of people think that they don't have a marquee player, you know, be an all-conference type of player. They have a lot of, you know, good players, role players, you know, do you think that separates them from, you know, some of the contenders in this conference?
Tim Doyle: Right now, they're playing 10 guys over 14 minutes, and each of those 10 guys are scoring over 6 points a game. So, you know, I thought he was just playing those guys against the Concordias and the Eastern Washingtons, the North Dakota States, but I watched that Louisville game start to finish and it was five in, five out, and a lot of guys are getting a lot of minutes, and Sampson's on one team and Iverson's on the other, and they just seemed very well balanced. Their second team is almost as good as their first. Their second team has a guy like Hoffarber, who could really light it up, and their first team has a guy like Johnson, who's a great athlete, so I think they're a very dynamic team, and right now, you know, all the pieces of the puzzle seem to be working out well, and The Barn is a very difficult place to play. And if you think back to last year, games like Indiana, Wisconsin, and to any games to the very end, and—because they were borderline, like two wins away from going to the tournament last year, so I think you got to schedule the games, you got to schedule because they lost their three top seniors. If you had to build a nucleus, give the ball over to Nolen, establish the guards, and Westbrook and Nolen after you lose a guy like Coleman, McKenzie tossed, and guys that played a lot, a big 10 minutes, so I think they're for real right now. I think they're a different type of team in that they are legit 10 deep.
Marcus Fuller: Do you see any of their players making a push for an all-conference best season?
Tim Doyle: Absolutely. Al Nolen is averaging over six assists a game, and I think he's really demonstrated what a great floor leader he is. I think that coaches understand how valuable point guards are and even though he doesn't put up huge scoring numbers, he took double-digit free throw attempts and was huge making free throws at the end of games, and the coaches really understand how valuable that is. But, you know, as for guys being named Player of the Year, probably not but, collectively, their team is so solid one through 10.
Operator: Okay, thank you. And once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one.
And our next question comes from John Supinie with Gatehouse News Service. Go ahead, please.
John Supinie: Hey, guys. I'm kind of curious on your take on Illinois, just—they've got a pretty good record but, you know, they've had a—they've had a schedule that—they really have to get there. What do you guys see from Illinois?
Jim Jackson: I had a chance to cover them on a game, and I think it goes back to Demetri McCamey. When he plays against top caliber teams, he really steps his game up. It's when he plays against teams that are not rated or not highly—where he doesn't get highly motivated, and that hurts their team because they have a good nucleus there. I think Mike Davis has stepped up his game really well and starting to show what kind of player he can be. Again, Bruce Weber, the strength of this team has always been in the backcourt. When their backcourt with Deron Williams and Luther Head and Dee Brown and those guys were playing, everything else kind of flourish around them, you kind of see that a little bit this year. Frazier gives you that defensive minded kind of player, hard-nosed kind of guy. Meacham will give you the 3-point threat when he's on, and McCamey can break down the defense when he's motivated and focused. That's going to be the key for them. I think that, again, they have a player that could be an all-conference type of player in McCamey. They have some very good complementary players when they're playing well. They'll be very competitive, but I don't see them competing for a title this year. But as their bigs continue to get better, I can see them really competing and being one of those teams. They've got to do some replacements, I think. Alex Legion, when he really gets into the fold, he'll help them score on their team, is yet to see what happens in conference play because we're just getting there, what kind of impact it'll make, but I think he'll totally change the dynamic if he pans out to be the player that they want—that they envision him to be because he has the skill set to be a great scorer. And by putting him in the lineup, you change the dynamic for that team, with McCamey and Legion on the perimeter right there playing with—alongside each other.
Dave Revsine: Yes, I agree with Jimmy, I've seen Illinois quite a bit and had a chance to go down to practice and visit with Coach Weber, and really get a sense of what he was focusing on. And I think they're dramatically improved, maybe the most improved team in the league, and I think a huge reason for that is just the chemistry. I mean, they just seem to blend a little bit better than they did last year. They're, obviously, shooting the ball a lot better, and guys have improved. I mean, Mike Davis, for my money, is the most improved player in the league at this point, you know, a guy who's really starting to mature and realize what he can do and how he can contribute in different ways on the court. I think Frazier has upped his game doing a lot of little things dishing the ball out well and rebounding extremely well. I think they're kind of fitting the pieces in place. I'm really impressed with Tisdale, I think he's found the baseline and the kind of elbow or spots he's just going to kind of just sit around there and look for—look for his shot, and those are his spots on the floor, and he's done a really good job of being very consistent from those spots. I think they've got a lot of guys who have just kind of improved their game and found their niches and, again, are they going to compete for a title? I don't think so, I think we're still a little ways away from that. But, they certainly can be a tournament team, and that's a lot better than I thought they would be. To me, they're a very pleasant surprise.
John Supinie: How about you, Tim? Do you see Illinois? You know, there's a lot of teams, you guys have already mentioned, it seemed like they're probably a little bit ahead of Illinois going into the race, but do you see them as having a shot at the NCAA birth?
Tim Doyle: I absolutely see them having a shot, I mean, hey, they're only three points away from being undefeated. I mean, they lost that Clemson game at home, a game they easily could have won, but I think Bruce Weber inherited a situation there where he had some unbelievable players and he had such a magical run for the national title game and, you know, I think he's learned how to recruit down there, and it's taken him some time, he's had some bumps in the road. And now, he kind of—because all these guys are his guys, they're all his. And, you know, he's kind of meandering his way around the recruiting thing, and I think he's kind of figured it out. And now, you know, Chester Frazier is looking like he's playing better, it's just that he's surrounded by more capable guys like a McCamey, a Meacham. Mike Davis has been absolutely phenomenal this year, and Tisdale. So, when Frazier's out there as the fifth scorer, then their team is more effective. And, you know, that place down there is going to be a tough place to play for opposing teams, in Champaign, and I think they definitely have a shot to get nine, 10 conference wins coupled with their, you know, 11 non-conference wins, 12 con—non-conference wins, who says they're not an NCAA team? I have them out right now because I already have five teams in, but they easily could be the sixth team in, and I could easily see them getting 9, 10 wins in conference.
John Supinie: Thanks, guys.
Operator: Thank you. And once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. One moment, please, for our next question.
Mike Vest: Guys, Dave already mentioned Mike Davis. For Tim and Jimmy, which players come to mind as the pleasant surprises in the Big Ten so far, and what's changed for those players to allow them to improve so much?
Tim Doyle: Well, for me, it's Evan Turner that jumps off the page right away. And I think he's kind of been forced into Jamal Butler's role of always having the ball in his hands, of always being that guy at the end of the shot clock to make a decision, not necessarily score, but find an open teammate, and he has just been absolutely unbelievable. Here's a guy that only averaged eight points a game last year, and now he's rebounding, he's having to assist. I know they had a tough loss this weekend, but him, along with Davis. Who else has been good? Summers had big time shots for Michigan State, he's a guy that's, say anything you want about Michigan State, but they still had to replace a guy like Drew Neitzel, so they're still trying to figure out their chemistry, who belongs on that court and he made a huge shot down in Texas, so maybe that's going to be the springboard in the Big Ten, at the conference play, but I really think Davis and Turner are the two guys that stand out the most. Also, Talor Battle, I mean, I think right now, he's the best point guard in the Big Ten. He absolutely played a bunch of tough gigs but, I mean, that guy is absolutely phenomenal, he is overtaking Lucas, in my mind, as the best point guard in the Big Ten.
Jim Jackson: And I'll agree with Tim on that, from Evan's standpoint. I think Evan, I watched him early last year, and he has all the tools to be an all-around complete player, 6'7"", 6'7-1/2"" with long arms, rangy. He's starting to get an understanding that he can be effective here, offensively and defensively, because he's blocking shots, he's rebounding, he's initiating a break, but he's scoring. Now, to take it to another level, he has to believe he can do it every game, and I think he's understanding how to score different ways, outside of the offense—offensive rebounds, on the break, secondary—second shot opportunity. These things he's learning right now, and that's just from maturity. Again, he was thrust in that situation last year, so he was able to learn. I think Talor Battle, I agree with Tim wholeheartedly, the games that I saw him play last year and they kind of worked in his favor, not in Penn State's, but when Clarkson went down, Talor kind of elevated his game. He really stepped up. I think the Michigan State game was a prime example. He hit some big shots down the stretch of some key games last year. This year, he comes in with a confidence knowing that he can do it on a consistent basis. So, as I look at it, he's one of those guys that controls the destiny of his team because of how he plays. I think Al Nolen as well, I think a young point guard that puts a lot of pressure defensively on opposing point guard, he can get to the back, but the question is going to be, can he continue to improve his 15 to 18-foot jump shot? That opens up the court a lot more for him and his players, so those three players I see have made big strides but have so much more potential to be the kind of player I think that, to really contend for, you know, Big Ten Player of the Year, maybe not this year, Evan could, but, you know, definitely in the next couple of years.
Operator: Okay, and we have a follow-up question from John Supinie. Go ahead, please.
John Supinie: Hey, Tim, you said Illinois was on the outside a little bit and you already had five, who are the five teams you got going in the NCAA right now?
Tim Doyle: Yes, right now, I got the two Michigans, Michigan and Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Minnesota. So, yes, Illinois, I mean, it's just a matter, I mean, I want to put the whole conference in right now. I want to put Northwestern in, and so, you know [talk over]—
John Supinie: Yes. Yes, yes.
Tim Doyle: —right now because everyone has just this great record, but you know, just—those five teams have just unbelievable resumes. Ohio State goes down and beats Miami like these tournament teams, and then follow up with a neutral site win over Notre Dame. I mean, I think Notre Dame's a more talented team, I think they're a better team, but on that day, Ohio State caught them, right, and that's a great win. Minnesota is undefeated. They have a win over a Top 10 team and they're going to win some games in conference. Michigan's resume is just so great right now. I think Illinois might be a better team, and I think when Michigan goes down to Illinois that they'll probably lose that game. So, I think conference play's going to really dictate a lot, and it's going to have those outside teams like Illinois, Penn State— Wisconsin's another team that everyone picked third. I don't have them in right now because, you know, they don't have many great resumes may win, but, you know, all three of those teams could really pole vault themselves into NCAA dance-like mode if they can still get some big conference wins.
John Supinie: Before the season, Weber was—Weber was, you know, he knew the question mark was the interior play, is that still the point, that, you know, at this point, is it—do you guys still wonder what these guys have inside?
Dave Revsine: I think there's a question about the depth inside, but I think in terms of the first two guys, I mean, you know, Davis, last I looked, was leading the Big Ten in rebounding. If he's not, he's certainly right up there and, you know, Tisdale has been vastly improved. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a team that has had two players that have improved as dramatically as those two guys have. I think some of those questions are answered. I think there's still questions about, you know, Richard Semrau, and guys like that, you know, Bill Cole, I mean, these are guys that you kind of hoped would come along a little more and would have progressed more at this point. But, you know, when you look at the starters, the guys who are going to see the bulk of the minutes, I think they can match up with just about anyone inside.
Jim Jackson: For Illinois, the Big men don't have to be great. Last year Pruitt really carried them because from a perimeter standpoint, they were young. This team and this year's team and this year's bigs, they don't have to be great. They don't have to out and score 15 to 20 points. If they can rebound, maybe get some double digits, but block some shots, play great interior defense, the guards are going to be able to create opportunities where they can score off of penetrating moves with drop-off passes, offensive rebound and those things like that. So, they have improvements, but how good they're going to be is really going to be based on those things I just mentioned, offensive rebounds, how many block shots, how good is their interior defense. Those things, like that, I think is how I judge their interior things, on how good this team can be. I base it around those—that kind of criteria more than the kind of the all-American big guy and, you know, a B. J. Mullens type of player. They don't have it, but they have great complementary big guys who can continue to improve.
John Supinie: And one more thing, what have you seen with Purdue, have you—especially Lewis Jackson, what does he give Purdue that maybe they didn't have last year?
Jim Jackson: When we talked about in the studio, Tim, and Dave and I, before that I felt that one of the biggest things that hurt Purdue last year and towards the beginning of this year was not having that point guard that could push the ball. I think Keaton Grant is a very good player, but I see him more as a two guard with E'Twaun Moore playing to three, and Robbie Hummel playing to four, that allows them to be recipients or receivers of plays instead of trying to create the reach-up. I think Lewis Jackson can be that point guard that gives you that initial thrust up the court, if you don't have it, you pull it back out because you need that with those type of players. You need a point guard that can create for the big down low but also create easy opportunities for a Robbie Hummel, for an E'Twaun Moore and even for a Keaton, so again, he's young, but I think in this system he doesn't have to do a lot, he just has to initiate that offense, turn the ball over, but make smart decisions, and hoping he can do that because that gives them a better option when they play to have that type of point guard running the team.
Operator: Okay, thank you. And once again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one.
And we have another follow-up question from Marcus Fuller. Go ahead, please.
Marcus Fuller: You guys actually answered a little bit of it. I was going to ask you, who do you think that are the most impressive freshman so far going into the Big Ten. Maybe I'll get more specific and ask you, what do you think of the two freshman big men from Minnesota, Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III, do either of you that think—have seen them play?
Tim Doyle: Yes, I think each of those big guys is just going to be really a tremendous force for the Gophers and that defense that had a big game yesterday, Iverson's had big games against just some of the non-conference teams earlier this year, but when they're out there together and you see two 19-year-olds, you know, working in unison, I saw that pass that Sampson to Iverson yesterday for the dunk and, you know, it really makes your mind really wonder if they could almost have like a Olajuwon-Ralph Sampson-type thing that they had when there was the Twin Towers down in Houston, you know. So to think that these guys are only freshman, they're able to work together, be on the court together, and not like running into each other and stuff, because when you see 19-year-olds at seven feet, normally they're not too coordinated or they look like they're running with two left feet. But these guys, out there together with hooking each other up for passes and is really something very interesting to watch. And, you know, two years, three years from now, if these guys are still in college, I mean, it's going to be really a scary front line in the way Tubby likes to pressure the ball, to have those guys in the back defensibly to make up for mistakes of gambling and stuff. I mean, geez. And Minnesota's done a great job of bringing guys in and that's just such an interesting formula that they're playing two 7-footers at once, and they're really fun to watch.
Marcus Fuller: You—any of you guys, do you remember a front line of two freshman that big in the Big Ten, going back over the years? Maybe young, you know, a young court like that?
Tim Doyle: Jackson, can you think of anything?
Jim Jackson: That's what—I'm trying to—I'm trying to think of two that came in. I mean, if you look at—yes, I mean, if you look at Juwan Howard and Chris Webber inside— are we talking about freshman?
Marcus Fuller: Right.
Jim Jackson: You know, during that Fab Five era, those two, and you can't compare these, those two were great complements, and I think the same thing with Colton Iverson and Sampson. In Iverson, you have a guy inside who's going to be able to bang and rebound. You have more a guy, in Sampson, has a little bit probably more skill set, but probably not as physical. I mean, it's very similar to what you had in Michigan. Juwan Howard was a more skilled player, who had the up and under's, the jump hooks. Chris Webber was more of a raw talent, you know. Now, I'm not saying that Ralph Sampson and Colton Iverson's going to have that potential but their skills offset each other and I think they complement each other instead of having two big guys inside that need to have the ball, their skill sets kind of offset each other, will compliment each other.
Operator: Okay, and thank you. And ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude the 2008 2009 Big Ten Men's Basketball Conference Preview.
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