2025-26 College Hoops Thread

[GoldenEagles03]

Purdue looks like garbage. 

Not really. These are 2 offenses built for March. The defense is the question for both. Neither really defending anything right now.

[wisblue]

Not really. These are 2 offenses built for March. The defense is the question for both. Neither really defending anything right now.

Purdue may be falling to the 7 seed in the Big 10 tournament after their late season collapse.

[GoldenEagles03]

Purdue may be falling to the 7 seed in the Big 10 tournament after their late season collapse.

They'll still be a 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament though.

That's why I think the Big Ten might finally get over that tournament title hump.

Michigan and Illinois might be their only Title threats at the end of the day, but Purdue, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State could all make a push towards a Final Four with the right draw. They have a lot of tournament style offenses.

[MuggsyB]

They'll still be a 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament though.

That's why I think the Big Ten might finally get over that tournament title hump.

Michigan and Illinois might be their only Title threats at the end of the day, but Purdue, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State could all make a push towards a Final Four with the right draw. They have a lot of tournament style offenses.

I hate to admit it but after Michigan, Wisconsin's A game is the most dangerous in the B18.  If their bigs hit threes, they're really hard to guard. Hopefully they have a brick city game and everyone can exhale. 

[BM1090]

I hate to admit it but after Michigan, Wisconsin's A game is the most dangerous in the B18.  If their bigs hit threes, they're really hard to guard. Hopefully they have a brick city game and everyone can exhale. 

No.

[MuggsyB]

No.

I really hope you are correct.  They concern me.

[DoctorV]

Michigan, Michigan St, Purdue and Illinois give the B10 4 viable final 4 teams

Experience and coaching will play for Purdue in the big dance. I don't think they get to the FF, but the E8 wouldn't surprise me at all, despite their recent struggles.

The other 3 are legitimately very good teams that can get hot and get there as well.
They have a few title contenders this year and I could see Michigan winning it all.

Wisconsin seems too inconsistent and especially weak defensively to make a lot of noise, but with the right draw could get to the S16

[MuggsyB]

Michigan, Michigan St, Purdue and Illinois give the B10 4 viable final 4 teams

Experience and coaching will play for Purdue in the big dance. I don't think they get to the FF, but the E8 wouldn't surprise me at all, despite their recent struggles.

The other 3 are legitimately very good teams that can get hot and get there as well.
They have a few title contenders this year and I could see Michigan winning it all.

Wisconsin seems too inconsistent and especially weak defensively to make a lot of noise, but with the right draw could get to the S16

I disagree about Purdue. 

[GoldenEagles03]

I hate to admit it but after Michigan, Wisconsin's A game is the most dangerous in the B18.  If their bigs hit threes, they're really hard to guard. Hopefully they have a brick city game and everyone can exhale. 

That's still Illinois.

Wisconsin's offense can beat every team in the country, but it would also have to come with some defense. Illinois with Boswell back is a totally different team.

[GoldenEagles03]

Caleb Foster just got hurt for Duke. Looked like he was holding his foot just like Dominic James in 2009.

Ngongba also out for Duke. Injuries keep racking up across the country.

[MU82]

Neither the Weasels nor the Boilers defend well enough to make a real run IMHO.

You can win a game or two by outscoring opponents if you get the right matchups, but you gotta be able to get stops to go far.

Michigan is legit, obviously, and I could see Michigan State or Illinois doing something, too.

[GoldenEagles03]

Neither the Weasels nor the Boilers defend well enough to make a real run IMHO.

You can win a game or two by outscoring opponents if you get the right matchups, but you gotta be able to get stops to go far.

Michigan is legit, obviously, and I could see Michigan State or Illinois doing something, too.

Agreed, but their offenses could get them to a Final Four.

I mean, an 11 seed NC State made it through our region just 2 years ago. Winning a title is just a whole different animal than just making a Final Four.

[MU82]

Agreed, but their offenses could get them to a Final Four.

I mean, an 11 seed NC State made it through our region just 2 years ago. Winning a title is just a whole different animal than winning it all.

Could? Sure. All kinds of weird teams made the 2023 Final Four, and NC State made it in 2024. So all kinds of weird teams could make it again.

But it's highly unlikely that poor defensive teams like the Weasels and Boilers make it in 2026. One bad shooting game, and the Weasels easily could be out in round 1; they'll be playing a much better opponent than the Oregon team they lost to just 10 days ago.

[wadesworld]

Lol. Same song different year from the getting hard for Gard crowd.

They're way more likely to lose in the first round than make a Final Four.

[brewcity77]

I think the Badgers will either be one and done or Sweet 16. They are a tough prep on 48 hours if you aren't used to their new offense. But while they can step up to great opposition, they also lost to Oregon, USC, and Indiana. Be interesting to see who they match with and how high they're able to climb seed wise.

[GoldenEagles03]

Could? Sure. All kinds of weird teams made the 2023 Final Four, and NC State made it in 2024. So all kinds of weird teams could make it again.

But it's highly unlikely that poor defensive teams like the Weasels and Boilers make it in 2026. One bad shooting game, and the Weasels easily could be out in round 1; they'll be playing a much better opponent than the Oregon team they lost to just 10 days ago.

We are in agreement.

Michigan and Illinois are the 2 Big Ten Title contenders.

[MuggsyB]

Christian Anderson is a heck of a baller for TTU.  You don't hear his name much but the dude can flat out get buckets, and off the bounce.  19ppg and 7.7 dimes.  48%, 42% from distance.  That team was clearly a national title contender with Toppin. 

[GoldenEagles03]

Christian Anderson is a heck of a baller for TTU.  You don't hear his name much but the dude can flat out get buckets, and off the bounce.  19ppg and 7.7 dimes.  48%, 42% from distance.  That team was clearly a national title contender with Toppin. 

A true championship contender with Toppin. A shame he got hurt.

[MuggsyB]

A true championship contender with Toppin. A shame he got hurt.

This Anderson kid was a 100-150 recruit.  Maybe I haven't been following it that closely but I would think he'll be on ome of the A-A teams.  Is there a better point guard?  I don't think Smith is.  Fears? 

[GoldenEagles03]

This Anderson kid was a 100-150 recruit.  Maybe I haven't been following it that closely but I would think he'll be on ome of the A-A teams.  Is there a better point guard?  I don't think Smith is.  Fears? 

I think the teams will be very Forward heavy, but Flemings from Houston is very good, Braden Smith, Darius Acuff, Jaden Bradley are probably some of the guards that will get on.

[MuggsyB]

I think the teams will be very Forward heavy, but Flemings from Houston is very good, Braden Smith, Darius Acuff, Jaden Bradley are probably some of the guards that will get on.

I mean they label Acuff and Flemings as PG"s but I think of them more as combo guards.   TTU's guards are no joke.

[MU82]

Nigel James.