Although the Spartans lose 2011-12 Big Ten Player of the Year Draymond Green, coach Tom Izzo should once again have Michigan State competing for a conference title.
Third-year coach Fran McCaffrey's rebuilding project appears to be running along smoothly. An NCAA Tournament berth for the Hawkeyes would help to solidify that narrative.
The Golden Gophers made a run deep into the NIT after a sub-par showing in the Big Ten. Minnesota look to be a team on the rise in 2012-13, but there is doubt surrounding their All-Big Ten power forward's availability.
Northwestern came up heart-breakingly short of making its long-awaited NCAA Tournament debut last season. Thanks to some key returnees plus an incoming transfer though, the nerds may finally go home with the prom queen this March.
