IU players

All right, Indiana fans—let’s be realistic about things here. Before you anoint this year’s team as National Champions in the preseason, you should come to the realization that it’s just not going to happen. Sure, there will be plenty of wins and a high tournament seed, but that’s about the extent of it.

The Sporting News ranks his Indiana Hoosiers the No. 1 team in the nation, as does the first USA Today/ESPN poll of this college basketball season, just released on Oct. 17. In the 2011-12 campaign, Zeller was the co-Big Ten freshman of the year, helping IU to a Sweet Sixteen showing in the NCAA tournament. Here, our November 2011 prelude to his success.