What a world that would be.
As Big Ten media days continue to go on, more news comes out of them. Well, less news about programs having the best summer they’ve ever seen and every player being in the best shape of their life and really transforming their bodies, and more news about what the media is predicting will happen this season. The predicted finish of the Big Ten was released today and to my surprise, perhaps wrongly, Purdue is again the preseason favorite to win the conference. If Purdue were to win the conference this season it would mark the third season in a row that Purdue would bring home the trophy. That my friends is known as a Three-Pete.
The complete media ranking is below.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
2. Indiana Hoosiers
3. UCLA Bruins
4. Illinois Fighting Illini
5. Michigan State Spartans
6. Oregon Ducks
7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
9. Michigan Wolverines
10. Maryland Terrapins
11. Iowa Hawkeyes
T-12: Nebraska Cornhuskers
T-12: USC Trojans
T-12: Wisconsin Badgers
15. Washington Huskies
16. Northwestern Wildcats
17. Penn State Nittany Lions
18. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Purdue and IU back atop the predictions for the Big Ten race. That would be an incredible battle to see and something that most college basketball fans wouldn’t remember happening of late. Me personally, I want IU to lose every game but I certainly understand the argument that IU being good is good for Purdue. Well, maybe I don’t understand it but I acknowledge that it’s something people say. New conference entrant UCLA, Illinois, and Michigan State round out a top five that should be trouble for all involved.
I’m excited to watch this new look Big Ten and see if Purdue can become the first team to hoist this trophy for the 18 team league.