College Basketball Preview: Michigan State Is the Team to Beat in the Big Ten

On the Rise: Northwestern Wildcats

Arguably the best feel-good story of the year last season, Northwestern isn't ready to rest on its laurels after finally making its long-awaited NCAA Tournament debut. Chris Collins, son of former NBA player and head coach Doug Collins, is one of the most highly-regarded young coaches in the game, and he returns the core of a team reached the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Wildcats are bringing back six of their top seven scorers from last year -- led by seniors Bryant McIntosh (14.8 points, 5.2 assists per game) and Scottie Lindsey (14.1 ppg), and junior Vic Law (12.3 ppg). McIntosh, a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection last season, had 25 points and the game-winning free throws in Northwestern's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, a 68-66 win over Vanderbilt last March.

Northwestern was a top-35 team in Ken Pomeroy's Defensive Efficiency metrics last season, and the 'Cats return a veteran group of juniors and seniors who could be even stronger on defense this season. Collins' group is in prime position to prove that last year's headline-grabbing breakthrough was no one-hit wonder.