Big Ten Tournament 2012 Bracket and Schedule: Underrated Players to Watch

If the Big Ten regular season is any indication of how the conference tournament will play out, we have an exciting four days of basketball coming up in Indianapolis. 

During the season, Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan tied for first place.

Wisconsin and Indiana finished just one and two games behind first place, respectively, making it five Big Ten teams in the Top 15 in the country.

Don't forget about Purdue and Northwestern, who both have a good shot of making the NCAA tournament too.

Madness will clearly ensue for all four days (official bracket and schedule), and while studs like Draymond Green, Jared Sullinger, Jordan Taylor and Cody Zeller will get the attention, here's a look at some underrated players to keep your eye on. 

Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Leonard played just over eight minutes per game as a freshman last season but has made the smooth transition to impact player for the Illini this year.

Leonard is seven-foot-one, but he's not limited to offensive rebounds and put-back dunks like some guys his size. He has the ability to step out and hit the mid-range jumper and he also has a devastating hook-shot with his back to the basket.

On the season, the sophomore is averaging 13.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per contest while shooting 58 percent from the field and 73 percent from the line.

He only garnered an All Big-Ten honorable mention, but he is one of the best NBA prospects in the conference. 

Victor Oladipo, Indiana

Cody Zeller and Christian Watford get most of the attention on this much-improved Hoosiers squad, but Oladipo is who holds this team together.

In just 26 minutes per contest, Oladipo is third on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg), third in rebounding (5.4 rpg), third in assists (1.8 apg), first in steals (1.5 spg) and second in blocks (0.6). 

Throw in the fact that he's one of the most exciting and explosive players to the rack in the conference, and this All Big-Ten Defensive First-Teamer is set to make some noise this weekend. 

Lewis Jackson, Purdue

"Lew-Jack" might just be the quickest player in the conference, and despite his 5'9" frame he is absolutely fearless in attacking the hoop.

The senior is averaging 10.5 points on an effective 7.6 shots per game while pitching in 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest.

More importantly, however, is that this offense runs through Jackson. He is the facilitator and the senior leader. His most impressive stat is that he handles the ball so much and yet turns the ball over just 1.6 times per contest.

Jackson is the typical "glue guy" who has the ability to carry this team when Robbie Hummel struggles.