Basketball: Men's

What to Watch for in the Big Ten:

Illinois: Despite losses to then-No. 12 ranked Missouri and Purdue, Illinois should be able to compete in virtually every game because of one player: Brandon Paul. The senior guard, who averages 18.5 points per game (second in Big Ten), has been lights out in the Illini’s biggest games of the year, including a 35-point outpouring on then-No. 10 ranked Gonzaga.

Indiana: Dominant seven-foot forward Cody Zeller will probably be on a short list for the Naismith Player of the Year award by season’s end. However, Indiana has more weapons than just Zeller, most notably junior guard Victor Olapido. Since Nov. 17, Olapido has scored at least 14 points per game and has shot less than 60 percent from the field only once in the last eight games.

Iowa: After an 11-2 record in non-conference play and a nail-biting loss to No. 5 ranked Indiana, the Hawkeyes should be feeling good, but three-point shooting is still a major concern. Iowa could have beat Indiana if it weren’t for 3-of-17 shooting from downtown, and only Purdue and Penn State are shooting with a worse percentage from behind the arc in the Big Ten.

Michigan: Currently sitting at No. 2 in the country, the Wolverines don't look like a team with a fatal flaw. As Glenn Robinson III holds it down around the rim, Michigan boasts arguably the best backcourts in the country with Trey Burke (17.8 points per game and 7.4 assists per game) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (15.8 points per game). As long as Hardaway’s recent injury remains a minor issue, the Wolverines’ concerns in Big Ten play should be at a minimum.

Michigan State: Michigan State’s identity may be a little blurry at the moment with hit-or-miss play from big men Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne, but there are two things Spartans’ supporters can always count on — superior coaching by Tom Izzo and reliable leadership and playmaking ability by point guard Keith Appling. Appling has contributed in virtually every category so far as the Detroit-native has averaged 14.9 points, 4.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game this year.

Minnesota: The Gophers lost just once in non-conference play (an 89-71 defeat to then No. 5 ranked Duke), and the reason for success has been a spread-out offensive output. Through 14 games, Minnesota has four players averaging 10 points per game or more, and injury-ridden forward Trevor Mbakwe looks healthy for the start of conference play (11 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks against Michigan State on Dec. 31).

Nebraska: It’s expected that the Huskers will have a rough conference slate, but if Nebraska wants to win a few games, the team will need to come out ready to go in the first half. The Huskers have averaged just 22.2 points in the first 20 minutes in five of their last six contests.

Northwestern: Following a 19-10 season last season that resulted in an NIT berth, the Wildcats will need to continue crisply passing the rock (No. 16 in country in assists per game) to find open shots in order to get over the hump and replace graduated pure scorer John Shurna (20.0 points per game in 2011-12).

Ohio State: While forward Deshaun Thomas is the Buckeyes go-to scorer (19.9 points per game this year), most of their success will hinge on seasoned point guard Aaron Craft — most importantly, his capability to lock down opposing scorers and nail key shots when needed.

Penn State: For the Lions, the biggest story of the non-conference was Tim Frazier’s injury and his absence won’t change in Big Ten play. However, the new focus will be on whether guard D.J. Newbill (18.5 points, 7.25 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game in last four games) can continue his recent play against upcoming stiff conference opponents.

Purdue: After an up-and-down non-conference slate, it will be interesting to see if freshman center A.J. Hammons (9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 2012) is ready to try and fill the gap left after four-year star Robbie Hummel graduated.

Wisconsin: After the graduation of star guard Jordan Taylor, coach Bo Ryan will look to slow things down and get the ball close to the glass with senior 6-foot-10 big man Jared Berggren (13,4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 2012).

Our B1G Predictions

With several question marks regarding the Big Ten conference still remaining, one thing's for sure — this is likely the best conference in the nation. Below, our three beat reporters take a stab at exactly just how things will shake out by the end of the conference season.

John McGonigal's predictions:

1. Michigan (15-3)
T1. Indiana (15-3)
3. Minnesota (14-4)
4. Ohio State (13-5)
5. Illinois (11-7)
T5. Michigan State (11-7)
7. Wisconsin (7-11)
8. Iowa (6-12)
T8. Northwestern (6-12)
10. Penn State (5-13)
T10. Purdue (5-13)
12. Nebraska (2-14)

Wynton Somerville's predictions:

1. Michigan (15-3)
2. Indiana (13-5)
T2. Minnesota (13-5)
T2. Ohio State (13-5)
5. Michigan State (12-6)
6. Illinois (10-8)
7. Nebraska (7-11)
8. Purdue (5-13)
T8. Iowa (5-13)
T8. Wisconsin (5-13)
11. Northwestern (4-14)
T11. Penn State (4-14)

John Stuetz's predictions

1. Michigan (16-2)
2. Indiana (15-3)
3. Ohio State (13-5)
4. Minnesota (12-6)
5. Michigan State (11-7)
6. Illinois (9-9)
7. Iowa (7-11)
T7. Wisconsin (7-11)
9. Penn State (5-13)
T9. Northwestern (5-13)
11. Nebraska (4-14)
12. Purdue (4-14)