Previously: Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin

Next up in the Around the Big Ten series, Northwestern. The Wildcats pulled off some shocking upsets last year and the folks in Evanston are excited for the upcoming year. I got a hold of Lake The Posts to talk some Northwestern hoops.

Last year was one of the best seasons in recent history for Northwestern basketball… How do fans feel about this year’s team? Are they expecting more this year?

There is a somewhat unprecedented sense of optimism heading into this season. We return 4 starters, but the loss of 3-point bombing bad ass Craig Moore definitely will hurt. However, we have a relatively hyped frosh in Drew Crawford who is the slashing/scoring/dunking (what – a dunker?!!!) type we rarely get at NU. Many believe THIS is the year we FINALLY break into the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. A lot of speculation over what type of celebration would be bigger – ‘Cats in the Dance vs 1995 Rose Bowl (Rose Bowl usually wins that debate). My only fear is that Carmody doesn’t continue to make poor personnel decisions down the stretch of key games.

Craig Moore was one of the best shooters in the entire conference, is there anyone waiting in the wings to replace his deep threat?

Each of our bigs has improved their shooting, including John Shurna, the 6-9 soph who spent the summer helping the USA u-19 team win a world championship. I’ve also heard promising things about incoming freshman, Alex Marcotullio, who allegedly has some range.

Just how good is Kevin Coble?

That good. He’s got the look that inspires chuckles from opponents as his wiry frame belies his true talents. He makes the improbable look routine. The kid is an all-out player who simply gets it done. However, there will be no more surprises as most teams will adopt the “contain Coble and let the other 4 beat us” approach. Without the proven 3-point dead-eye of Craig Moore, the key to NU’s season will be consistent outside 3-play from Shurna and/or others to send a message to Big Ten teams that you can’t just collapse the D and play a zone which is what I would do.

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Previously: Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Wisconsin

Bob Baptist is one of the best beat writers in the Big Ten. Baptist covers the Buckeyes for the Columbus Dispatch, on his blog Hoops & Scoops, as well as on his Twitter account. Baptist graciously agreed to answer some questions about this year’s Buckeyes team.

Ohio State had a mildly disappointing season last year in my opinion, although they were obviously limited by the David Lighty injury. What are the expectations in Columbus for the basketball team this year?

Very hard to gauge expectations at this point because all a vast majority of Buckeye fans care about right now is football. But I will those who stay attuned to hoops year-round are optimistic that Ohio State will be good enough and experienced enough to contend in a strong league. Michigan State and Purdue return a lot, but fans are eager to see what Ohio State can do with David Lighty back in the lineup. Biggest question on everyone’s mind is how the point and post positions will perform.

In my mind, Evan Turner is the best player in the conference. But I am very curious to see how he adapts to playing the point guard position. I have no doubt that he can play it but I’m not sure it’s best for him or the Buckeyes. What are your thoughts on Turner playing the one?

All I can go off is what I saw during the three exhibition games in Canada, and the Buckeyes ran very little half-court offense there because they were rebounding and running at will most possessions. When they did run sets, Turner was giving up the ball quickly (24-second clock) and using screens to get it back at the end of the possession so he could finish. So I wouldn’t necessarily look for him to be breaking down his man to get in the lane if that man is a true point; not to initiate the offense, anyway. It may not be the best position for him, but it is best for the team. No one else in the starting five can play the position, and Jeremie Simmons and P.J. Hill aren’t 30-minute guys, either.

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