Forecasting the Big Ten: With Lucas, Spartans are team to beat

Sporting News college basketball expert Mike DeCourcy makes his predictions on how everything will unfold in the six major conferences. Today we preview the ACC and the Big Ten, with the Big East and Pac-10 coming on Thursday, and the SEC and Big 12 on Friday. Bold predictions 1. This is the year. Northwestern has never made an NCAA Tournament, but the Wildcats have a solid roster and can beat quality opponents. 2. Ohio State will abandon its Evan Turner point guard experiment by December. He'll do fine, but the team needs his rebounding and scoring. 3. Michigan State will win the Big Ten. The title won't come easily, but the Spartans are the bes tteam. The one question: Do they have the pure, NBA-level talent to win the NCAAs? The Best of the Big Ten Freshman: Royce White, Minnesota Rebounder: Mike Davis, Illinois Passer: Al Nolen, Minnesota NBA prospect: Evan Turner, Ohio State Defender: Chris Kramer, Purdue Shooter: Matt Gatens, Iowa Leader: Kalin Lucas, Michi...