Sorry I omitted Northwestern. They did well to get 8 conference wins last year
and will do well again this year to get to 8 wins...you are right John, they
have no 'big gun' but they do play consistently and return 5 starters, so they
will give the Michigans a run...but don't quite have the horsepower to move into
the upper echelons. Too bad they couldn't eke out another win last year to
finish 15-14 instead of the (no-NCAA) 14-15.

Rob
---- John Odenthal <john.odenthal@...> wrote:
> No thoughts on the Wildcats?
> Penn State is the team to beat of course but from a talent perspective for
any one else in the league they would have to catch the Lions on an off night
barring injuries.
> Wisconsin and Purdue should battle for the second spot with consistancy and
injuries suspect on both squads. Both the Wisconsin-Penn at Madison and the
Purdue- Penn at Lafayette should be fun to see.
> Michican State should be fourth with Michican and Illinois close behind.
> Minnosota has coaching that should have them fighting for the fifth spot but
they need to believe and that takes experience - put them down for my number 7
> Ohio, Northwestern, Iowa all need that 'go to' person that can change the
momentum in a match - barring a phenom in the freshman ranks or a step change in
existing talent that lack will relegate them to battling for 8-10 spots. Indiana
rounds out my field.
>
> I read tea leaves for cash.
> "That's my story and I am sticking to it!"
>
> "Peglar, Robert" <robert_peglar@...> wrote:
> Anyone bold enough to opine about this season and where the teams
may end up?
>
> Here's my thoughts...somewhat at random, in order of finish (groups)...other
thoughts equally valid, of course
>
> * PSU is clearly at the top
> * Wisconsin and Purdue have the best shot after PSU at finishing high, in
particular Purdue returns all 6 starters and could make life very miserable for
the rest of the conference; Wisconsin will do very well to match their 15 wins
from last season
> * OSU and Minnesota graduated excellent setters and their challenge will be
integration; 13 and 17 wins from last year (respectively) may be difficult to
match
> * Michigan and MSU return 5 starters each and could challenge OSU and Minn,
but they must play well on the road
> * Illinois, ditto their 6 wins, they should be able to get 7 or 8
> * Iowa should be able to be a couple of wins better than 2 wins (as they did
last season)
> * Indiana may again win only 1 or get the 0-20 conference bagel as they lost
their starting setter as well and must incorporate/integrate
>
> Rob
>
>
>