Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) awaits to shoot a free throw against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) awaits to shoot a free throw against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Iowa Hawkeyes

2015-16 record: 22-11 overall, 12-6 in Big Ten, reached NCAA Tournament second round

Head coach: Fran McCaffery

Notable departures:  Jarrod Uthoff, Anthony Clemmons, Mike Gesell, Adam Woodbury

Notable returnees: Peter Jok, Dom Uhl, Nicholas Baer, Dale Jones, Ahmad Wagner, Brady Ellingson, Christian Williams

Notable newcomers: Four-star F Tyler Cook, three-star G Maishe Dailey, four-star G Jordan Bohannon, non-ranked C Ryan Kriener, three-star F Cordell Pemsl, redshirt freshman Isaiah Moss 

Guard Peter Jok is really darn good. He is my pick to lead the league in scoring this season. He should have free reigns to put the ball in the hoop as much as he wants in 2016-17. Outside of him though, there is not much there. 80 percent of their starting lineup from last season moved on, so the Hawkeyes will need to have some unknowns step up to achieve similar success.

The best case for the Hawkeyes is that Jok is a 20 point per game scorer and players such as Dom Uhl take the next step. The most likely scenario is that Jok scores and scores and scores, but his supporting cast struggles to provide him with support. I think this is the cut off for Big Ten teams that will make the NCAA Tournament.

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