Big Ten Basketball Tournament 2011: Ranking Jared Sullinger and the Top Players
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament will be in Indianapolis this weekend, showcasing all of the talent the conference has to offer. This season it seems as though the conference is full of great talent, and it's always fun to showcase that talent.
Of course, a lot of the national hype goes to Jared Sullinger, the national player of the year candidate from Ohio State, but the conference is full of veterans and some great talent.
Here is a ranking of the top 10 players in the conference.
I will be covering the Big Ten tournament for B/R, so make sure to follow me on here and my Twitter page for updates.
James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.
10. Demetri McCamey
1 of 10
McCamey has had an off season this year. He was expected to be a candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year, but his apparent lack of motivation seemed to hurt him greatly in that category.
This season McCamey averaged 15 points, six assists and a steal each game.
The Illini seemed to really rely on McCamey to be their leader and really drive the team. It seemed whenever McCamey played well, the Illini won.
He is a great player, however, and is a definite player to keep your eye on in the tournaments.
9. Talor Battle
2 of 10
Battle is the Penn State team. He has them on the verge of an NCAA tournament berth and seems to be one of the most underrated players in the entire nation. People outside of the Big Ten hardly know who this guy is, but Big Ten followers knows he is a prime-time player.
Battle is averaging 20.4 points per game and four assists.
He is an elite defender and is just overall a great ballplayer. He is a great shooter yet also has the ability to pass and slash.
If you have the chance to be in Indy, make sure to check out Penn State to see him play.
8. Kalin Lucas
3 of 10
Sure, the Spartans have not performed up to par this season, and some of that could be attributed to Lucas, who is looked at as a leader to that team. That doesn't take away his great playmaking, however.
Lucas is averaging 17 points and almost four assists per game this season.
Although these numbers may not be as great as they could be, it doesn't take away from him as a player.
With his great defense and his great play, Kalin Lucas is by far one of the best guards in the conference and country.
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7. Trevor Mbakwe
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Mbakwe is a great forward in a guard-dominated league. He is a superior athlete and is competing at a very high level.
After sitting out for two seasons, it is great to see Mbakwe playing well and back to the player people saw at Marquette.
He is averaging 13.7 points per game and 10.5 rebounds, which in itself tells you something.
This guy is underrated and is truly a great player.
6. David Lighty
5 of 10
David Lighty is one of the best defenders in the league. He very well could have been voted the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and has been playing some great ball as of late.
Lighty is averaging 12.3 points and almost two steals per game.
He is also a great rebounder for Ohio State and is just an overall great college basketball player.
Look for him to perform big time in the tournament after being snubbed for the BTDPOY.
5. Jon Leuer
6 of 10
Leuer is having one heck of a season for the Wisconsin Badgers. He has been shooting lights out and was voted first team All-Big Ten.
Leuer is averaging 18.8 points and almost eight rebounds per game this season.
If not for some outstanding performers this season, he would probably be considered player of the year, but more on those outstanding performances later.
Leuer is tall and lengthy and will be fun to watch in the tournament.
4. E'Twaun Moore
7 of 10
Moore has been invaluable to the Boilermakers this season. Although a lot of the attention has gone to JaJuan Johnson and his great season, people should not overlook Moore.
Moore is averaging 18.3 points and five rebounds along with three assists.
When the Boilermakers have been clicking, Moore has been playing lights out.
He is truly flying under the radar this season, but he is lights out when he is on—his only problem is he is either on or off.
3. Jordan Taylor
8 of 10
Taylor is another great player that has been overlooked nationally this season. He is by far the best point guard in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country.
Taylor has averaged 18.2 points, almost five assists and four rebounds per game on the season.
He is a great guard and has the ability to not only find his wide-open teammates, but can also break opponents' ankles and slash through the lane.
Along with his offensive prowess, he is a great defender.
2. Jared Sullinger
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Sullinger is the highly-touted freshman who is in the running for national player of the year. Although he is in the running for the honor, he is not the best player in the conference, but it is close.
Sullinger is averaging 17.3 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.
He is by far the best freshman in the country and has been playing some great basketball.
He plays on both ends of the court and seems to have a love for the game that can be matched by very few in the game.
1. JaJuan Johnson
10 of 10
JaJuan Johnson really should be in the running for NPOY, but he is not for some reason. He just doesn't get the respect he deserves, but JJ doesn't seem to mind it.
Johnson is averaging 20.5 points and just over eight rebounds per game.
He has been the driving force for Purdue Look for Johnson to not only electrify the crowd with great dunks, but expect him to step out and shoot the three as well.
Johnson is versatile and has had a great four years at Purdue. Playing in his last tournament, expect Johnson to be fired up.
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