With Indiana receiving pre-season national accolades,  it comes as no surprise that the Hoosiers are also a heavy favorite to dominate the Big Ten.

            IU, which is seeking its first Big Ten title since 2002, received 21 of 24 first-place votes in a poll of 24 Big Ten sportswriters, two from each school. Herb Gould and Neil Hayes, who cover the Illini and Northwestern, respectively, for the Sun-Times were among the voters.

            The Illini were picked to finish ninth in the league, just one vote ahead of 10th-place Northwestern.

            Michigan received the three first-place votes that were not cast for Indiana. Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin, rounded out the top five. That quintet also is receiving top-25 pre-season attention in what's expected to be a strong season for Big Ten Basketball.

            Indiana is top-ranked in the inaugural coaches poll, and is joined by No. 4 Ohio State, No. 5 Michigan, No. 14 Michigan State and No. 21 Wisconsin.

            The complete poll:

Team (1st)            Pts

1.  Indiana (21)   285     

2.  Michigan (3)    256

3.  Ohio State      237

4.  Michigan St     223

5.  Wisconsin        191

6.  Minnesota       159

7.  Iowa                134

8.  Purdue             121

9.  Illinois                90

10. Northwestern   89

11. Penn State        62

12. Nebraska           25