In college basketball, the term “reloading” is thrown around often. Perhaps too often. It is one thing for a team to win a conference championship, lose a Player of the Year candidate and a few other weapons, and then compete for a conference title the following season (see this year’s Wisconsin Badgers). It is even [...]

The calendar only just turned to 2008, but take a guess at which team is No. 3 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin? Nope. Illinois? Try again. Purdue? This might take all night. Believe it or not, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are a step behind the Spartans and Hoosiers in the Big Ten rankings. The 8-1 [...]

When analyzing matchups, experts tend to look at the obvious: rankings, star players, and big-name coaches. All of these play a factor, but sometimes a win just comes down to knowing your opponent. How does the opposition score? From the foul line? Mid-range jumpers? Three-pointers? And, almost as important, where are your team’s defensive weaknesses? [...]

2006-2007 Record: 17-14 (9-7 Big 10, T-4th) Postseason Games: 3/9/2007 Purdue Big Ten Tournament L 74-55 Returning Statistical Leaders: 7.5 ppg – Tony Freeman 4.6 rpg – Kurt Looby 3.7 apg – Tony Freeman Starting Lineup: Key Stat: C Seth Gorney 7’0 Sr. 57.5 FG% last year was career worst PF Kurt Looby 6’10 Sr. [...]

2006-2007 Record: 13-18 (2-14) T-10th Postseason Games: 3/8/2007 Michigan State Big Ten Tournament L 62-57 Returning Statistical Leaders: 13.4 ppg – Kevin Coble 5.2 rpg – Kevin Coble 2.0 apg – Craig Moore Starting Lineup: Key Stat: C Kevin Coble 6’8 So. Expected to be best Wildcat in history PF Jeff Ryan 6’6 So. 46.8 [...]

2006-2007 Record: 22-13 (8-8 Big 10, T-7th) Postseason Games: 3/8/2007 Minnesota Big Ten Tournament W 49-40 3/9/2007 Ohio State Big Ten Tournament L 72-62 3/13/2007 Utah State NIT W 68-58 3/15/2007 Florida State NIT L 87-66 Returning Statistical Leaders: 5.7 ppg – Ron Coleman, Jerret Smith 4.0 rpg – Ekpe Udoh 3.4 apg – Jerret [...]

2006-2007 Record: 11-19 (2-14 Big 10, T-10th) Postseason Games: 3/8/2007 Illinois Big Ten Tournament L 66-60 Returning Statistical Leaders: 16.3 ppg – Geary Claxton 8.0 rpg – Geary Claxton 2.3 apg – Mike Walker Starting Lineup: Key Stat: C Jeff Brooks 6’8 Fr. A top-60 recruit should sure up post PF Brandon Hassell 6’11 Sr. [...]

2006-2007 Record: 23-12 (9-7 Big 10, T-4th) Postseason Games: 3/8/2007 Penn State Big Ten Tournament W 66-60 3/9/2007 Indiana Big Ten Tournament W 58-54 3/10/2007 Wisconsin Big Ten Tournament L 53-41 3/16/2007 Virginia Tech NCAA L 54-52 Returning Statistical Leaders: 11.4 ppg – Shaun Pruitt 7.5 rpg – Shaun Pruitt 4.5 apg – Chester Frazier [...]

2006-2007 Record: 30-6 (13-3) 2nd Postseason Games: 3/9/2007 Michigan State Big Ten Tournament W 70-57 3/10/2007 Illinois Big Ten Tournament W 53-41 3/11/2007 Ohio State Big Ten Tournament L 66-49 3/16/2007 Texas A&M-CC NCAA W 76-63 3/18/2007 UNLV NCAA L 74-68 Returning Statistical Leaders: 8.8 ppg – Brian Butch 5.9 rpg – Brian Butch 2.9 [...]

2006-2007 Record: 22-12 (9-7, Big 10, T-4th) Postseason Games: 3/9/2007 Iowa Big Ten Tournament W 74-55 3/9/2007 Ohio State Big Ten Tournament L 63-52 3/16/2007 Arizona NCAA W 72-63 3/18/2007 Florida NCAA L 74-67 Returning Statistical Leaders: 7.2 ppg – Chris Kramer 4.9 rpg – Gordon Watt 2.5 apg – Chris Kramer Starting Lineup: Key [...]