TOC Writers make their picks for the hoops season
Happy Saturday, TOC Nation. The 2024-25 basketball season is just two days away. We hope you all enjoyed our previews this past week. Now that we have got that out of the way, it is time to make our predictions. I asked Mike, Steve, and Brian a number of questions in an attempt to really dissect the upcoming season. Here is what we each had to say. (Of course, we want to read your predictions as well. I gave a blank questionnaire at the end.)
MIKE:
Overall record (31 games): 24-7
Big Ten record (20 games): 15-5
Big Ten seeding: 3
Beat Kansas in Champions Classic: No
Record in Maui Invitational (vs. Colorado; vs. UConn/Memphis; vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa St./Auburn): 2-1 (win opener, lose second round game, win third game in the loser’s bracket)
Top scorer: Frankie Fidler
Top rebounder: Carson Cooper – this is a tough one, as I think Cooper will see fewer minutes than Booker and Kohler but I think he’s the best rebounder of the 3. Also, Fidler averaged over 6 RPG at Omaha last year.
Top assists: Jeremy Fears
Top blocks: Xavier Booker
Top 3pt%: Tre Holloman
Most Improved: Coen Carr
Best Freshman: Jase Richardson
Sweep um: Yes
Beat Purdue at home: Yes
Finish regular season in top 25: yes
Big Ten Tournament performance: lose in championship game
Make it to Sweet 16: yes
Elite 8: yes
Final Four: no
STEVE:
Overall record (31 games) 20-11
Big Ten record (20 games) 13-7
Big Ten seeding 5
Beat Kansas in Champions Classic: NO
Record in Maui Invitational (vs. Colorado; vs. UConn/Memphis; vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa St./Auburn): 1-2 (IF THEY FACE UCONN AND AUBURN)
Top scorer: Xavier Booker
Top rebounder: Carson Cooper/Frankie Fidler
Top assists: Jaden Akins
Top blocks: Xavier Booker
Top 3pt%: Tre Holloman
Most improved: Coen Carr
Best freshman: Jase Richardson
Sweep um: YES
Beat Purdue at home (only play them once): NO
Make it to Sweet 16: YES
Elite 8: NO
BRIAN:
Overall record (31 games): 25-6
Big Ten record (20 games): 16-4
Big Ten seeding: 2
Beat Kansas in Champions Classic: Yes
Record in Maui Invitational (vs. Colorado; vs: UConn/Memphis; vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa St./Auburn): 2-1
Top scorer: Carr
Top rebounder: Kohler
Top assists: Fears
Top blocks: Booker
Top 3pt%: Fidler
Most Improved: Carr
Best Freshman: Kur Teng
Sweep um: Yes
Beat Purdue at home (only play them once): Yes
Finish regular season in top 25: Yes
Big Ten Tournament performance: Win it
Make it to Sweet 16: Yes
Elite 8: Yes
Final Four: Yes
O:
Overall record (31 games): 23-8
Big Ten record (20 games): 14-6
Big Ten seeding: 3
Beat Kansas in Champions Classic: No
Record in Maui Invitational (vs. Colorado; vs: UConn/Memphis; vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa St./Auburn): 2-1 with a loss to UConn
Top scorer: Frankie Fidler
Top rebounder: Carson Cooper
Top assists: Tre Holloman
Top blocks: Jaxon Kohler
Top 3pt%: Tre Holloman
Most Improved: Xavier Booker
Best Freshman: Jase Richardson
Sweep um: yes
Beat Purdue at home (only play them once): yes
Finish regular season in top 25: yes
Big Ten Tournament performance: semifinals
Make it to Sweet 16: Yes
Elite 8: Yes
Final Four: No
To summarize, we don’t all agree on much, other than going 2-0 against um. Now it is your turn. Comment with your predictions. Here is a blank sheet if you want to copy & paste it.
Overall record (31 games):
Big Ten record (20 games):
Big Ten seeding:
Beat Kansas in Champions Classic:
Record in Maui Invitational (vs. Colorado; vs: UConn/Memphis; vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa St./Auburn):
Top scorer:
Top rebounder:
Top assists:
Top blocks:
Top 3pt%:
Most Improved:
Best Freshman:
Sweep um:
Beat Purdue at home (only play them once):
Finish regular season in top 25:
Big Ten Tournament performance:
Make it to Sweet 16:
Elite 8:
Final Four: