Halfway Home: Our Midseason Big Ten Awards

Posted by jnowak on February 2nd, 2012

Continuing with our midway point theme from yesterday, it’s time to take a closer look at who — if the season ended right now — should be taking home some hardware.

The most interesting (and often important) thing about examining All-Big Ten and conference Player of the Year candidates is what they’ve been able to do over the course of the season versus what they’ve done in Big Ten play. It’s not that hard to pull in a double-double against a cupcake non-conference opponent, but you have to be able to do it against Big Ten competition to merit lofty mention.

All-Big Ten First Team

  • Tim Frazier, Penn State: Frazier has really burst onto the scene in conference play. After averaging just 5.0 and 6.3 points per game in his first two seasons at PSU, he’s averaging 18 per game this year. He hasn’t scored fewer than 12 points in a Big Ten game this season.
  • Draymond Green, Michigan State: Green is the most versatile player in the Big Ten and will go down as one of the few best captains Tom Izzo has had at Michigan State. He currently ranks in the top 15 among Big Ten players in nine categories, while leading in rebounding (10.3 RPG) and coming in 10th in scoring (14.9 PPG).

Draymond Green has been fantastic leading the Spartans this year. (Al Goldis/AP)

  • Brandon Paul, Illinois: Like Frazier, Big Ten play has been Paul’s real coming-out party, as he is the top scorer during Big Ten play (19.8 PPG). He almost singlehandedly led the Fighting Illini to an upset of Ohio State and has scored in double figures in every Big Ten contest.
  • Jared Sullinger, Ohio State: Arguably the best overall player in the conference, and the leader of the Big Ten’s top team, Sullinger is a matchup nightmare, ranking fourth in the conference in scoring (17.1 PPG) and second in rebounding (9.1 RPG).
  • Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin: As steady as they come, Taylor has helped lead the Badgers back to the top tier of the conference by scoring (16.5 PPG in Big Ten play) and distributing the ball (3.4 APG in conference). Bo Ryan will have a tough time finding Taylor’s successor to run the offense.
All-Big Ten Second Team
  • Trey Burke, Michigan: Burke deserves a great deal of credit for continuing into Big Ten play with a full head of steam. The freshman guard has helped Wolverine fans forget about the departure of Darius Morris and look forward to the times they’re going to have with this future star.
  • Keith Appling, Michigan State: The Spartans were unsure who would handle the load at point guard this season, but Appling has taken the reins as a weapon on both ends of the floor.
  • Robbie Hummel, Purdue: It’s hard not to feel good for Hummel, who has battled back from deflating injuries to help Purdue compete this season. He’s not the same player he was, but still extremely effective in all aspects of the game.
  • John Shurna, Northwestern: Few in the conference have shouldered the load that Shurna has for the Wildcats — leading the conference with 39.2 minutes per Big Ten game.
  • Cody Zeller, Indiana: The freshman was billed as a program-changer and his regular double-doubles (averaging 15.0 PPG and 6.3 RPG this year) have helped lead Indiana back to relevance.

All-Big Ten Third Team

  • Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan: Arguably Michigan’s most talented player, who can be downright dominant at times.
  • William Buford, Ohio State: Quietly will go down as one of the most acclaimed players in Buckeye history.
  • Christian Watford, Indiana: A consistent force in conference play, averaging 12.9 PPG and 6.1 RPG against Big Ten opponents.
  • Lewis Jackson, Purdue: A fantastic scorer who has a knack for getting into the lane, containing the opponent’s backcourt, and creating for teammates.
  • Meyers Leonard, Illinois: Surely the next imposing Illinois big man, averaging 12.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in conference play.

John Beilein has his Wolverines clicking on all cylinders (AnnArbor.com/Lon Horwedel)

Big Ten Player of the Year: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State — The big man has, once again, been as advertised for the Buckeyes this year. Everything Ohio State does centers around the sophomore center, who is averaging 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game against Big Ten opponents. He’s a terror on the offensive and defensive glass, and one of the most efficient shooters in the league. He has some competition for this award, but if Ohio State wins the conference comfortably, I’d be surprised to see anyone but Sullinger take it home.

Big Ten Coach of the Year: John Beilein, Michigan — With all due respect to Thad Matta, who is brandishing a strong national title contender, no coach can take more responsibility for his team’s success than Beilein (though I’m sure he never would). It’s hard to make the “doing more with less argument” because the Zack Novaks and Stu Douglasses of the world are the guys that Beilein targets. But Michigan, undefeated at home and poised to make a real run at the conference championship, is an overachiever on paper. The Wolverines rely on a freshman point guard, overlooked recruits-turned-captains and not a whole lot else. But Beilein and Co. have certainly made it work.

jnowak (138 Posts)


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