Separation Anxiety

We are two weeks through the conference schedule and we have 7 weeks until the end of the regular season. Before the conference schedule started you could divide the 11 teams into 4 categories:

Leaders:
MSU
IU

NCAA Bound:
UW
OSU

NIT Worthy
Minn
PSU
Purdue
ILL

Terrible:
Iowa
NU
Mich


After two weeks, there really have not been many changes. But since I have not done a power ranking yet for 2008, lets get at it.

THE CONTENDERS:

1. Indiana: Really struggled at home with Illinois today. They are going to have problems if teams try to exploit them down low where they are weaker. Also, has Eric Gordon ever committed a foul? I mean, he gets called for fouls, but he bitches at every call. Keep this up and he can join the IU soccer team.

2. MSU: Well, if they go back to being the team that insists on turning the ball over at the rate they did last year, they will be lucky to finish in the top 3. They dont have enough consistent players to succeed when they are turning the ball over. When Neitzel plays well they are the best team in the conference, but out of the 18 games he will do that 11-12 times. Its what happens the other times that will make or break their season

3. Wisconsin: Well, well, well. Look who is tied for first after two weeks. Brian Butch is looking like a candidate for player of the year in the conference and Bo Ryan has molded a solid team. They have turn over issues just like MSU, but they also have the benefit of not having to go to the Breslin Center.

NCAA BOUND:

4. Ohio State

The Buckeyes have a ton of talent, but as we saw yesterday, they are not poised enough to beat the good teams on the road. Their lack of a really good win could pose them some bubble trouble, but I think they get 11 wins in conference.

NCAA BUBBLE TROUBLE

5. Minnesota

Tubby has done a good job turning around the Gophers and this team has a good deal of talent. However, they have not beaten one team on their schedule that is better than them, and they did not play much of a non-conference schedule. They will probably need an 11-7 showing in conference play to find themselves playing in the big dance.

6. Purude

The Boilers probably have too many bad home losses in order to make the big dance, but they are certainly going to be another dangerous home team. Boiler fans are probably looking forward to next year.

7. Penn State

Huge win at Illinois, but why were they so bad back at the beginning of the season? I am not looking forward to Wisconsin's trip to Pennsylvania this week. I have a feeling the Lions go 9-9 and could be an interesting team in the NIT

8. Illinois

Apparently the Illini need to play more games away from home/or withouth Chester Frazier. They are just a better team when they move the ball and they dont have one guy jacking up bad shots and turning the ball over. It's also not a good sign when you are playing walk-ons this early in the season- even if their last name is Jordan. 0-4 right now, and winning 9 games is probably a stretch. 8-10 might even be tough, but lets stick with that for now.


NEXT YEAR


9. Iowa

Wow, impressed with that win yesterday. They have a great 1-2 punch in Johnson and Freeman. Whether or not anyone else on their team can score is going to be a major issue for the Hawkeyes. Still, they probably have a stranglehold on this position.

10. Michigan

The Wolverines won the battle of tallest midget yesterday in Evanston and help keep the dream of the dream season alive. Michigan is really not very good and 4-5 wins might be considered a success.

11. Northwestern

The Wildcats have lost at home against PSU and Michigan and probably will not have a chance for another win until 2/6. By then they will be well on their way to finishing the dream season. Go U Northwestern, please lose 18 games!