For as long as I can remember, TV commentators have talked, and newspaper reporters have written, about the B1G (the Big Ten) media day highlighting the upcoming college basketball season. This annual event has been held in Chicago for decades, and gives B1G fans a preview of their teams. The thing I remember most about media days of times past is that most years, when he was the coach at Indiana University, Bob Knight, did not attend. He always had an excuse or reason, other than his generally antagonistic and belligerent attitude, for not attending. He and the press had a hate-hate relationship so he frequently took a pass on participating because he would have made a spectacle of the whole thing. But Knight is gone, and attitudes toward this event have changed for the better.
I suspect this event has been televised by the B1G network for a long time, but I never watched it until last week. My son texted me that Darian DeVries, the new IU men’s basketball coach, was being interviewed by B1G Network announcers. By the time I started watching it, that interview was over, but Andy Katz and Raphael Davis were interviewing IU players, Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson. Their interview was polite and informative, but I was minimally impressed with their comments.
During the five hours, yes, five hours, this media event was broadcast, all 18 coaches and two star players from each team were interviewed. The network formulated a projection of each team telling fans what they could expect for the 2025-‘26 season. They showed highlights of each team’s schedule and talked about rival opponents and important non-conference games. The most controversial statistic the network reported for each team was how many players were returning from last season, how many were recruited through the transfer portal, how many freshmen were on the roster, and how many players were acquired under unique circumstances. The transfer portal is alive and well for immature, overhyped players, and remains a nightmare for coaches, athletic departments, and fans.
What follows are a few memorable highlights of the broadcast. I hope by sharing them with you, your interest is piqued as was mine.
- There are now 18 teams in the B1G. That means all 18 coaches were interviewed by Dave Revsin and Bruce Weber. Each interview lasted at least 10 minutes or longer. Their interviews were very interesting, informative, and entertaining.
- Two star players from each team were interviewed by Andy Katz and Raphael Davis. That’s 36 players most of whom were articulate, polite, and interesting. Some were veterans, some were transfers, but all were excited for the upcoming season.
- The B1G has four first year coaches.
Darian DeVries—Indiana
Niko Medved—Minnesota
Ben McCollum—Iowa
Buzz Williams—Maryland
4. I saw the interviews with Medved, McCollum, and Williams, but DeVries had been on before
I joined the broadcast. The new coaches were all grateful for the opportunity to coach in
the B1G and were eager for the challenge. All knew they faced uphill battles, but were
happy to be where they were. McCollum said during recruiting “we don’t lie to players” so
they aren’t surprised when they come to Iowa.
5. The most entertaining interview was that of Tom Izzo, the 31-year coach of the Michigan
State Spartans. I love that man. He is humble, funny, and a very likable person. He was
relaxed and joked with his friend Bruce Weber. It was a fun interview.
6. Purdue coach, Matt Painter, gave the most articulate, intelligent interview, and impressed
me with the depth of his knowledge and insight into his players. He was interviewed last
because Purdue is picked to win the conference again.
7. All 4 west coast coaches (USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington) were asked what their
greatest challenge was joining the B1G. They all said it was adjusting to the travel across
the country, the physicality of play, and playing more than one game on a road trip.
8. Player interviews: A. The two IU players were treated respectfully, but the message was
clear “You have no chance of winning the B1G.”
B. Desmond Claude, the leading scorer on the ‘24-‘25 USC team, transferred to
Washington, the team he and his USC team defeated by a large margin during the
conference season.
C. Chad Baker-Mazara, an integral player for Auburn, a final four team in April, had a
dispute over NIL and transferred to USC, his 5th college team.
D. Most players interviewed, especially the two Oregon players, were articulate, and
answered the questions comfortably.
E. B1G player of the year, Purdue’s Braden Smith, was comfortable and articulate. His
teammate, Trey Kauffman-Renn, on the other hand, was quiet, nervous, and monotone.
9. The only coach I thought was full of it was Rutgers’ Steve Pikel. He reminded me of a
politician. He wasn’t believable.
10. What’s with the ridiculous fad of wearing white athletic shoes with a suit? It looks stupid.
Less than a third of the players wore dress shoes. Katz and Davis both wore white
basketball shoes, sat on low profile overstuffed chairs, and looked like Shirley Temple
sitting in a giant chair.
11. What the media day quite clearly showed me was that college sports have become a
business and are nowhere like they were just 10 years ago. Because of NIL and the
transfer portal, loyalty to coach, team, and university is a thing of the past. Some players
are playing for their 3rd, 4th, or 5th school what with red-shirting and extra years of
eligibility. It’s just not right. Players seem more selfish than ever, and choose where to play
based on what they can get out of it. Player interviews didn’t obviate that point. In fact,
most seemed rather humble. But as things heat up during the long season, jealousies
cause conflict.
12. One of the commentators and several of the coaches said the B1G is the best conference
in the country. Purdue is the preseason pick to win the conference and Braden Smith the
B1G player of the year, again.
Dr. G’s Opinion: I enjoyed watching the B1G media day. I was impressed with most of the coaches, most of the players, and the 4 commentators (even Bruce Weber). The conference now has 18 teams and with 6 of the teams having won past NCAA championships, there’s a good chance the conference will have several teams ranked in the top 25, and maybe even the NCAA champion will be a B1G conference member. The conference is replete with star players. Could the National POY come from the B1G? Could be!
My Indiana Hoosiers? There are too many unknowns; we have new coaches, all new players. My expectations are low for this season, but if Darian DeVries is as good as Curt Cignetti, we’ll all be pleasantly surprised. We can only hope.
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