Tell me about the NEW Big Ten

[cancontent]

Michigan State?

They did beat Cal and Vandy last week. Both come back wins as well. Aryault and Van Slooten have started off the season strong as well.

 

[JellyBean]

Good win for Michigan. They stepped up the competition a bit and still managed two wins. I am still curious to see them against better competition. And it is the Oklahoma game and conference play that will tell us how good they are.

I am still on the fence about Michigan. They are winning and they looked good against VA Tech but I am with you. I am curious to see how they play as the competition gets a little tougher or they can maintain their focus against the teams like Northwestern. Big Ten play, some teams just cause problems for some teams.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I am still on the fence about Michigan. They are winning and they looked good against VA Tech but I am with you. I am curious to see how they play as the competition gets a little tougher or they can maintain their focus against the teams like Northwestern. Big Ten play, some teams just cause problems for some teams.

I'm also iffy on Michigan. Yes, they played well against VT. However, they shot the ball unusually well, built up a huge lead, and then had to hold on for dear life when VT cut the lead down to six. What happens when they aren't shooting 65% from the field? Because I don't see that happening when they face the Marylands, UCLAs, USCs, and Ohio States of the Big Ten.

 

[triaddukefan]

They did beat Cal and Vandy last week. Both come back wins as well. Aryault and Van Slooten have started off the season strong as well.

I'll cut them some slack, as those two schools are off to good starts.

 

[nwhoopfan]

So...looks like Big Ten Network scooped up a number of people who used to work for Pac 12 Network. USC-Cal Baptist just got started. A couple familiar faces on the call--Krsita Blunk and Elise Woodward.

 

[BigTenGuy]

They are 7-2 and Coach Moseley is making progress.

You’re right. Big win for the Badgers tonight at Butler.

 

[cancontent]

You’re right. Big win for the Badgers tonight at Butler.

Definitely, but the reliance on Williams for scoring is concerning. That will be key for them during Big 10 conference play.

 

[JellyBean]

Definitely, but the reliance on Williams for scoring is concerning. That will be key for them during Big 10 conference play.

Wisconsin has a few options out there besides, Serah Williams. Carter McCray and Natalie Leuzinger can help with scoring. Defensively is where Wisconsin, like a lot of teams, struggle. I am sure they will get better as the season progresses and we move into conference play.

 

[cancontent]

Wisconsin has a few options out there besides, Serah Williams. Carter McCray and Natalie Leuzinger can help with scoring. Defensively is where Wisconsin, like a lot of teams, struggle. I am sure they will get better as the season progresses and we move into conference play.

They have no choice. I hope it happens as it's a shame Williams doesn't have more support.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

MSU with a huge win at home against Iowa. Stay undefeated.

 

[cancontent]

Welp.

 

[newfrontier]

MSU with a huge win at home against Iowa. Stay undefeated.

It's looking better and better for MSU with its hire of coach Fralick after each win. Fralick appears to have brought some fresh life back to the program that had seen a downturn over the last few years (probably due in part to coach Merchant's health issues). And, the best players in the state were no longer picking MSU. If Fralick can grab Agot Takeer (#4 ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class) it
would be a huge coup for her and her team!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Welp.

Based on the score, Elon probably would've preferred if it continued to be delayed.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Meh...not really impressed by MSU (I have questions about their guard play) and Fralick. Let's see what they do against UCLA, Southern Cal, and Maryland.

 

[jdote33]

I've never seen this move before. I'm not sure what I just saw tbh. What a freshman

 

[newfrontier]

o

Meh...not really impressed by MSU (I have questions about their guard play) and Fralick. Let's see what they do against UCLA, Southern Cal, and Maryland.

 

[newfrontier]

Meh...not really impressed by MSU (I have questions about their guard play) and Fralick. Let's see what they do against UCLA, Southern Cal, and Maryland.

Well, MSU will be more than tested in it's BIG10 schedule as the Spartans will play 6 conference games on the road against ranked teams which is more than other BIG10 team except Oregon which also plays 6. Maryland, in contrast, only has to play 2 road games this season against ranked BIG10 teams!! (AP team ranking as of today and not what the opponent was ranked when game was played). Nothing against Maryland, but they are getting off easy within the conference. The average is just under 4 road games against ranked BIG10 foes. So much for fair and balanced scheduling!!!

 

[cancontent]

Well, MSU will be more than tested in it's BIG10 schedule as the Spartans will play 6 conference games on the road against ranked teams which is more than other BIG10 team except Oregon which also plays 6. Maryland, in contrast, only has to play 2 road games this season against ranked BIG10 teams!! (AP team ranking as of today and not what the opponent was ranked when game was played). Nothing against Maryland, but they are getting off easy within the conference. The average is just under 4 road games against ranked BIG10 foes. So much for fair and balanced scheduling!!!

Yeah that doesn't make sense or is fair, but it seems typical of the BIG10.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Well, MSU will be more than tested in it's BIG10 schedule as the Spartans will play 6 conference games on the road against ranked teams which is more than other BIG10 team except Oregon which also plays 6. Maryland, in contrast, only has to play 2 road games this season against ranked BIG10 teams!! (AP team ranking as of today and not what the opponent was ranked when game was played). Nothing against Maryland, but they are getting off easy within the conference. The average is just under 4 road games against ranked BIG10 foes. So much for fair and balanced scheduling!!!

If Michigan State and Fralick are who you believe them to be, then they should be fine--right?

I don't see Sparty being any better than a "best of the rest" type in the Big Ten this year and for years to come.

As for Maryland's schedule, they finished behind Michigan State in the conference last season. So they probably received a lighter schedule this year based on that.

 

[newfrontier]

If Michigan State and Fralick are who you believe them to be, then they should be fine--right?

I don't see Sparty being any better than a "best of the rest" type in the Big Ten this year and for years to come.

As for Maryland's schedule, they finished behind Michigan State in the conference last season. So they probably received a lighter schedule this year based on that.

You are entitled to have your own opinions about MSU, but I am not sure why you are trying to put words in mouth about my expectations for MSU + Fralick going forward. I believe Fralick et. al, will refresh the program, but I have not defined "who I believe MSU to be", other than improved. I've have expressed my hopes (as foolish and unrealistic as they may be) for MSU to get very, very lucky and sign Takeer (which, by the way, has nothing to do with my personal expectations or hopes for MSU against ranked opponents in the Big10 during the 2024-25 season...which I also have yet to define) I'll express more specific expectations and hopes for the future of MSU+Fralick in my own words and on my own timetable.

 

[WBBTakeover]

You are entitled to have your own opinions about MSU, but I am not sure why you are trying to put words in mouth about my expectations for MSU + Fralick going forward. I believe Fralick et. al, will refresh the program, but I have not defined "who I believe MSU to be", other than improved. I've have expressed my hopes (as foolish and unrealistic as they may be) for MSU to get very, very lucky and sign Takeer (which, by the way, has nothing to do with my personal expectations or hopes for MSU against ranked opponents in the Big10 during the 2024-25 season...which I also have yet to define) I'll express more specific expectations and hopes for the future of MSU+Fralick in my own words and on my own timetable.

You're exactly right. I am entitled to my opinion. My opinion is that Michigan State is no better than a "best of the rest" team and will not seriously challenge for a Big Ten title. I do not think that Fralick and their guard play is sufficient enough for them to make a serious push against the LA teams and Maryland.

 

[BigTenGuy]

Wisconsin receiving 15 points in the coaches poll is a surprising development. Places them 31. Wonder when the last time Wisconsin received a poll vote?

 

[BigTenGuy]

Yeah that doesn't make sense or is fair, but it seems typical of the BIG10.

Actually it is very atypical of BIG WBB scheduling. Before this season, the BIG had a long-standing practice of using predicted order of finish to schedule double plays, i.e. the top teams would play more double plays against other top teams, etc. It wasn’t a perfect system, and teams still ended up with the tougher schedule (e.g. Iowa the last 2 years), but schedules were not terribly unbalanced.

This year, with 18 teams and 18 game, there is only 1 double play. So the way to balance the schedule is the home-and-away allocation. The BIG dropped the ball massively here. UCLA and USC should have been split from Maryland and OSU, so teams that played 1 pair at home would play the other pair on the road. These are not only the top 4 predicted teams this year, but also likely the 4 best recruiting/talent acquisition schools in the BIG, going forward.

Instead, 5 teams in the league will play UCLA, USC, OSU & MD all at home or all on the road. This threatens to skew conference standings. MSU, MN & Illinois play these 4 teams all on the road, which is a plus for them, IMO, setting themselves up with a very favorable home schedule.

Wisconsin and Indiana get the BIG 4 at home. Seems like a real negative for Wisconsin, who will now play less winnable games at home. Impact for Indiana is less clear to me.

 

[cancontent]

Women's Basketball - Forever 10 - Kelsey Plum

Forever 10 - Kelsey Plum for University of Washington Huskies Women's Basketball

gohuskies.com

@nwhoopfan not sure if you've seen this. I think Washington did a phenomenal job on the promotion of Plum's jersey retirement here.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Women's Basketball - Forever 10 - Kelsey Plum

Forever 10 - Kelsey Plum for University of Washington Huskies Women's Basketball

gohuskies.com

@nwhoopfan not sure if you've seen this. I think Washington did a phenomenal job on the promotion of Plum's jersey retirement here.

Yeah, good stuff. I got tickets to the Purdue game, my dad and uncle are coming in from out of town to watch with me.