Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, November 5, 2015
The 2015-16 Big Ten basketball season is set to get underway next week.
[ MORE: Get the full Big Ten men?s basketball exhibition schedule ]
Maryland appears to be the undisputed favorite heading into the year, but what other Big Ten teams could sneak their way into the top of the conference standings?
BTN.com Senior Writer Tom Dienhart and Web Editor Sean Merriman debated the following question: Who is this year's Big Ten sleeper team?
There are many good choices, but Dienhart sided with the Iowa Hawkeyes, while Merriman went with the Michigan Wolverines.
Here is their reasons.
DIENHART: Iowa
I like Fran McCaffery?s squad. The past three seasons, the Hawkeyes have won 67 games. And Iowa has made three consecutive postseason appearances, going further each season. The Hawkeyes advanced to the NIT title game in 2013 before making back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances the last two seasons, losing to Gonzaga in the third round last year. If the trend continues, a trip to the Sweet 16 may be next. Basketball is a guards? game. And Iowa has good ones in Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons. The Hawkeyes also have a star in forward Jarrod Uthoff, one of four returning starters who is ready to breakout after playing in Aaron White?s shadow. A big key for Iowa will be shooting better from the perimeter. Guys like Peter Jok, Brady Ellingson and Dale Jones must step up on the wing. And don?t forget about 7-1 Adam Woodbury, who figures to average a double-double but must tighten his defense and avoid foul issues. In the end, don?t be shocked if the Hawkeyes are a top-four or five team that makes the NCAA tourney again.
MERRIMAN: Michigan
The Wolverines are not ranked in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll, which was very surprising to me. This is a team that finished .500 last season with their two best players, Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton, missing the majority of the season. Both LaVert and Walton return this year, along with an impressive group of wing players, led by Zak Irvin and Aubrey Dawkins. The big key for Michigan will be getting some type of consistent contribution from their big men. Ricky Doyle showed flashes last season, while expectations are set high for incoming freshman big man Moritz Wagner. If this team can stay healthy and get consistent play from Doyle and/or Wagner, I think Michigan could contend for a Big Ten title this season.
