Ricky: I don’t know if we will ever see another undefeated team in college basketball. Whenever I think of undefeated college basketball teams, I think back to the 2004-05 Illinois Fighting Illini. They started the season 29-0 before losing and some believed they were the best team that year. However, they lost in their 30th game to Ohio State on a last second 3-pointer. Bottom line, anything came happen in college basketball and the season is just too long.

George: Parity and the length of schedule will prevent us from having an unbeaten team. Teams will flirt with the possibility, though upsets and anything can happen on any given night in college basketball. Chances are very slim for us to have another unbeaten squad.

Each week, the staff at Through the Phog will react on the previous day’s games in Big 12 football, basketball and other news that happens in the conference. We are always welcoming of comments that you might have on the topics covered each week. Our current staff includes lead editor George Pike, along with staff writer, Ricky Widmer. 

Jan17 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; The Oregon Ducks handed Arizona their first loss of the season last Thursday. Duke and Michigan both lost in the next couple of days.  Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky:As lead editor for the Writing Illini, I would say I am very surprised by the start the Illini had jumped out to this season. After firing Bruce Weber last year, I was not sure how John Groce would be in his first year as head coach of the Fighting Illini. So far, he has his team playing on a different level. Brandon Paul has stopped up as the senior leader and I think we could see a Illinois/Michigan Big Ten Championship game in the tournament.

George: Both teams have come along nicely, though Michigan was expected to be good as evidenced by their lofty preseason ranking. Illinois is easily the larger surprise, as nobody had this in mind. The Illini have a new head coach in Jim Groce, after Bruce Weber was let go, and have been a huge surprise with their wins. Now Big 10 play begins, the tough part of the schedule.

Each week, the staff at Through the Phog will react on the previous day’s games in Big 12 football, basketball and other news that happens in the conference. We are always welcoming of comments that you might have on the topics covered each week. Our current staff includes lead editor George Pike, along with staff writer, Ricky Widmer. 

Don’t forget to like us on facebook @ through the phog

January 11, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) has led his team to a number two ranking nationally.  Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky: I think the best player in college basketball at this point is Thomas from Ohio State. Thomas is averaging 20.2 points per game and leads the Big Ten in that department. Without him, Ohio State would not be as good as they are. He even had nice games in the Buckeyes only losses to Duke, Kansas, and Illinois.

George: Right now, I have to go with Plumlee from Duke. I also like Hardaway Jr. at Michigan for bringing his teammates up. Duke has many other good athletes on their squad, but right now Plumlee is putting up great numbers, averaging a double-double for the team. Jeff Withey at Kansas has the potential to be in the same breath as Plumlee with his great defensive stance.

 

Jan. 8th, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Is Ohio State Buckeyes forward Deshaun Thomas the top player in college basketball? Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Each week, the staff at Through the Phog will react on the previous day’s games in Big 12 football, basketball and other news that happens in the conference. We are always welcoming of comments that you might have on the topics covered each week. Our current staff includes lead editor George Pike, along with staff writer, Ricky Widmer. 

Don’t forget to like us on facebook @ through the phog