Big Ten Conference Preview 2010-2011: Year of the Buckeye
With five teams currently ranked in the Top 25—including three in the top 10—the Big Ten is perhaps the country's strongest conference.
Michigan State and Ohio State, ranked second and third, respectively, have received a large chunk of national publicity, but the Big Ten is far from a two team race.
Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin, while not quite in Sparty's and Brutus' league at the moment, nonetheless have the credentials and experience to contend.
While the top five give the Big Ten its 2010-2011 street cred, the conference has depth beyond the aforementioned squads. Minnesota, Indiana, Northwestern and Penn State should be much improved, giving the Big Ten top-to-bottom balance it hasn't had in years.
Please board the Big Ten train for a slideshow adventure previewing the league MVP, Coach of the Year...and every conference puzzle piece in between.
Welcome to the brutal Big Ten.
Conference Rankings
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1. Ohio State: With four returning starters and freshman Jared Sullinger, OSU could be too much to handle, even for Michigan State.
2. Michigan State: Seniors Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers are primed to lead the Spartans to another Final Four.
3. Illinois: The development of Demetri McCamey continues as Illinois finishes a surprising third in the Big Ten.
4. Purdue: JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore are big-time players, but the loss of Robbie Hummel hurts Purdue's conference title hopes.
5. Wisconsin: Expect the same physical play and suffocating defense that has become a Badger tradition.
6. Minnesota: The NCAA Tournament has a reserved spot for Tubby Smith's best Gopher team.
7. Indiana: The Hoosier are much improved and perhaps NIT bound. However, IU is still a year away from March Madness.
8. Northwestern: John Shurna is a stud, but Northwestern doesn't quite have the guns to dance in March.
9. Penn State: Penn State could finish much higher if Talor Battle receives help.
10. Michigan: No Manny Harris and no DeShawn Sims equals a (very) down year in Ann Arbor.
11. Iowa: Head man Fran McCaffery has his hands full with a program that's seen three coaches in four years.
All-Conference Teams
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First Team
- Talor Battle, Penn State, 6'0" Sr.
- Demetri McCamey, Illinois, 6'3" Sr.
- E'Twaun Moore, Purdue, 6'4" Sr.
- Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, 6'9" Fr.
- JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, 6'10" Sr.
Second Team
- Kalin Lucas, Michigan State, 6'1" Sr.
- Durrell Summers, Michigan State, 6'4" Sr.
- John Shurna, Northwestern, 6'8" Jr.
- Christian Watford, Indiana, 6'9" So.
- Jon Leuer, Wisconsin, 6'10" Sr.
Conference MVP/Freshman of the Year: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
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Jared Sullinger, a 6'9" beast, will garner many accolades in his only season with the Buckeyes.
After three games, Sullinger is averaging 18.7 points and 10.8 rebounds. Included in his averages: 26 and 10 against a ranked Florida squad. The forward is also shooting 67 percent from the field.
Expect a 20/10/60 percent season, at least, from the Big Ten's, and perhaps the nation's, top freshman.
No one will challenge Sullinger for FOY or POY. Those two awards are his to lose...but don't expect that to happen.
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Coach of the Year: Tom Crean, Indiana
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It would be easy to present the award to Michigan State's Tom Izzo or Ohio State's Thad Matta; each of those squads have Final Four potential.
Consider, however, Indiana head coach Tom Crean, who, in his third season at the Hoosier helm, is bringing the tradition and mystique back to Bloomington.
Indiana won't be dancing come March, but if Crean can guide IU to around 7-11 or 8-10 in the Big Ten and receive an NIT berth, he's deserving of COY.
A losing record for Coach of the Year, you say? Remember that, two short years ago after a mass exodus of Kelvin Sampson players, Crean started with nothing.
A postseason bid three seasons later would be quite an accomplishment.
Top Draft Prospect: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
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More kudos for Sullinger.
The one-and-done Buckeye, at 6'9", 280 pounds, has NBA size and ability. Think Zach Randolph with more skills and fewer mental and attitudinal problems.
If Sullinger puts up 20/10 as predicted, look for the OSU freshman to be the top pick in next year's NBA draft.
Most Improved: Christian Watford, Indiana
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Watford, a sophomore, averaged 12 ppg and 6 rpg in his rookie season at IU. Early this season, the 6'9" forward is putting up 17.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg.
With no other viable inside option, look for Watford to be the lone non-perimeter go-to guy for Indiana in 2010-2011.
Most Overhyped: Kalin Lucas, Michigan State
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The Michigan State senior is good, but he's not the second-coming as Dick Vitale would lead you to believe.
While Lucas is a solid scorer (14.8 ppg) and floor leader (4 apg), his jumper sometimes fails him in clutch situations. In fact, his three-point percentage dipped from 39 percent as a sophomore to 35 percent as a junior.
It might be a bit harsh to choose Lucas as the most overhyped Big Ten player, but until his strictly good play matches his elite reputation, he wins this "award."
Ten Big Questions to Ponder
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1. Is Jared Sullinger as good as advertised?
2. Can Purdue overcome the loss of Robbie Hummel?
3. Can Demetri McCamey help the Illini contend for the Big Ten crown?
4. Will Wisconsin continue to defy the odds and contend...again?
5. Will Indiana's Maurice Creek ever be 100 percent after last season's knee injury?
6. Will Talor Battle's teammates offer up some help, or will he be a one-man show at Penn State?
7. Can Northwestern overcome the departure of Kevin Coble and make the leap to the NCAA Tournament?
8. Is John Belein's job in jeopardy at Michigan?
9. Will Michigan State's Durrell Summers have a breakout year?
10. Will the Final Four include two (or more) Big Ten teams?
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