IZZONE's group at the top of Preseason BIG TEN......OHIO ST., ILLINOIS, PURDUE, and WISCONSIN will be tough and in the TOP 25

There are fixtures in College Basketball these day like COACH K at DUKE, BOEHEIM at the 'CUSE, CALHOUN at UCONN, ROY at UNC, and TOM IZZO at MICHIGAN STATE. THE SPARTANS Basketball Team are also fixtures a top the BIG TEN and a TOP 5 every year Powerhouse nationally.

The SPARTANS will have a lot of competition this year from the four other BIG TEN Teams that join them in the TOP 25 in the BUCKEYES, FIGHTING ILLINI, BOILERMAKERS, and BADGERS. All these teams have prime-time performers and have some underclassmen that will make an immediate impact in the BIG10.

Let's take a closer look at the teams and some of their star personnel seniors and underclassmen:

1. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS EAST LANSING, MI: Tom Izzo has another team that should be penciled in for another run nationally as well as the BIG TEN. Izzo has done nothing but great things in EAST LANSING following his predecessor in the Great JUD HEATHCOTE. Led by big time performers in Detroit natives G KALIN LUCAS and F DURRELL SUMMERS, the SPARTANS and SPARTY will be a tough out then add in G Corey Luscious and F Delvin Roe and the rest of the depth of the SPARTANS they will be hovering around the TOP 10 all season.

OUTLOOK: If Izzo can get this bunch through a tough non-conference schedule which he usually does, the SPARTANS will be a tough out for the BIG TEN and the NCAA TOURNEY. G KALIN LUCAS is the key and if he can get back to 100% after the Leg injury he suffered last season IZZO and his group will be in the FINAL FOUR.

2. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES COLUMBUS, OH: One of the most underrated coaches in AMERICA who can flat out coach and recruit with the best of them is THAD MATTA of the BUCKEYES . THE BUCKS are absolutely loaded and have star power in NBA LOTTERY 2011 g WILL BUFORD and SR Wing DAVID LIGHTY. They also usher in the JARED SULLINGER ERA a native of Columbus who brother JARED played at ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE and O STATE. A massive physical speciman who is a space eater as well as a very good low post player with a little bit of a mid-range game when he faces up. Reminds the BLUEDUDE of former SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI STAR and SIXER CLARENCE WEATHERSPOON minus the explosive athletic ability.

OUTLOOK: If the other freshman can mesh with the upper-class men of the BUCKEYES they will make a deep run in the NCAA TOURNEY and be a threat for the BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP as well.

3. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS WEST LAFEYETTE, IN: COACH MATT PAINTER got some real bad news when SENIOR STAR and NBA 1st rounder ROBBIE HUMMEL tore the same ACL LIGAMENT he tore last year a few weeks ago. SO the BOILERMAKERS rating will probably fall to a top 25 ranking instaed of a Top 10. But don't feel sorry for PAINTER's Group they still have the best big men in the BIG TEN in SENIOR CENTER JAJAUN JOHNSON and top flight G in SENIOR E'TEAUN MOORE.

OUTLOOK: PAINTER will have to get production from a deep sophomore bunch to replace the scoring and effectiveness of HUMMEL. THE 2 SENIORS MOORE and JOHNSON will have to play even bigger if the BOILERMAKERS are going to stay a top the BIG TEN Race and A high NCAA Tourney Seed.

4. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI CHAMPAIGN, IL: COACH Bruce Webber has a good group returning back and led by ALL-BIG TEN PG in DEMETRI MCcCAMEY. But this is not the reason the ILLINI are excited for this season to begin. Throw in two stellar FRESHMAN in F JEREME RICHMOND AND C MEYERS LEONARD the ILLINI will be a hit this year in the BIG TEN and will challenge the SPARTANS and BUCKEYES for BIG TEN SUPREMACY. THey are also strong in the back court after McCAMEY with SOPHOMORE Guards DJ RICHARDSON and BRANDON PAUL.

OUTLOOK: If WEBER can get his group to peak at the right time they will be scary. The key will be hoe the freshman play and the two SOPHOMORE Guards in BIG 10 FReshman of the Year Richardson and PAUL. The ILLINI have no reason not to finish lower than 3rd in the Big 10 and should have a 3-4 seed in the tourney.

5. WISCONSIN BADGERS MADISON, WI: Head COACH Bo Ryan and the BADGERS will have their normal solid year. THey have key returnees in JORDAN TAYLOR and JON LEUER. Ryan's Biggest problem will be finding good enough G play for his system and a 3rd option scorer. They always play tough especially at home and this year will be no different.

OUTLOOK: Ryan's Teams are very tough and physical. They will have to find more offense to saty in the TOP 25 and to get an at-large bid in the upcoming NCAA TOURNEY.

BEST of the REST

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
INDIANA HOOSIERS
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS