Big Ten Basketball 2011-12: Top 5 Seniors Ready for One More Shot

Big Ten Basketball has historically been about finesse and elegance. Yeah, right!

This conference has a long history of excellent players who were not afraid to mix it up and this year will be no different.

The following is a list of the top five seniors in the 2011-12 Big Ten.

They are great athletes, with unbelievable come-backs and our outstanding Competitors.    

5. John Shurna: Northwestern

John Shurna may be one of the best shooting big men (6'8" or taller) in the nation, hitting on 43.4 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

Shurna led the Wildcats in scoring (16.6 PPG) for the second year in a row. He was also Northwestern's second leading rebounder (4.9 RPG)

Last year, he was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 30. 

Over his first three years, Shurna has started all but two games.

Following last season, Shurna put his name into the NBA Draft, but because he didn't sign with an agent, he was able to withdraw and return to Northwestern and head coach Bill Carmody is very happy.

4. Robbie Hummel: Purdue

If Robbie Hummel does have a great senior season, it will be one of the best comeback stories in college basketball.

In his junior season, Hummel was a First Team All-Big Ten selection, only to blow out his knee just prior to the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

Hummel shot 90.2 percent from the free throw line, leading the Big Ten.

Following surgery, Hummel was ready to rejoin the Boilermakers for what was thought to be one of the best Purdue teams of all-time.

On the second day of practice, Hummel tore his ACL again, forcing him to sit out all last year.

Purdue needs Hummel to return to his former self, scoring in double-figures as he did in each of his first three seasons

3. William Buford: Ohio State

To say that William Buford is a shooter is an understatement.

Buford hit 44.2 percent of his three-pointers this past season on his way to scoring 14.4 points per game.

He is a master of hitting shots off the dribble.

While Jared Sullinger is the biggest reason that Ohio State was one of the top teams in the nation last year (and will be this year), Buford's high-level play is also a major contributing factor.

With Buford and Aaron Craft holding down the Buckeye's two guard positions, Ohio State should have one of the best back-courts in the nation. 

2. Draymond Green: Michigan State

Draymond Green is a classic Tom Izzo player: tough defender, strong rebounder, and high basketball IQ.

Green's versatility in a wide variety of aspects of the game make him such a valuable piece to the Spartans puzzle.

This past season, the 6'7" 230 pounds forward averaged 12.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 4.1 APG.

Green is ready to step up into a main leadership role this year as Michigan State attempts to bounce back from a disappointing (19-15) season.

1. Jordan Taylor: Wisconsin

Jordan Taylor emerged in 2010-11 as one of the best all-around players and premiere point guards in the nation.

He was named a 2011 1st-team All-American (Fox Sports), 2011 2nd-team All-American (AP, Sporting News), as well as 2011 1st-team All-Big Ten selection (coaches and media)

He was also one of five finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award and one of 20 finalists selected for 2011 Wooden Award ballot.

Last year, Taylor scored 18.1 PPG and grabbed boards 4.1 RPG.

Taylor's 3.83 assist-to-turnover ratio in 2010-11 led the nation and is the 4th-highest mark in NCAA history.

He owns the best career assist-to-turnover ratio in University of Wisconsin history (3.23—317 assists/98 TOs).

Taylor's leadership and determination will help him as he fully recovers from minor off-season ankle surgery.