Since we’re a month into the season, we’ve acquired a decent sample size to start ranking and rating how various players have performed. Unfortunately for the sake of this exercise, a certain player from a certain team that is currently ranked number one in the country has been playing out of his freaking mind. Now that the suspense as to who will end up number one and the end of this list has been sufficiently lifted, here’s a brief look at how things stand according to the humble opinion of yours truly. The list goes from #10 to #6, with numbers #5 to #1 to come later on.
- 10. Robert Carter Jr, Maryland: (12.5 PPG, 6.7 RBS, 1.4 BPG, 61.3 FG%, 117.0 O-Rating) — Carter Jr. has been a huge reason why Maryland is ranked in the top ten. He had good numbers at Georgia Tech, but the transfer has fit in seamlessly in College Park. He can score inside and out, and leads the Terrapins in rebounding, blocked shots, and field goal percentage.
- 9. Andrew White III, Nebraska: (16.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 83.7% FT, 42.2% 3PT) — Many may have thought that White III would be the second banana behind Shavon Shields. Instead he’s emerged as Nebraska’s best scorer, doing so while only averaging 11 field goal attempts per game. The Kansas transfer has been at his best shooting from deep, as he’s made over three triples in six of the team’s 11 games.
Despite missing two games, AJ Hammons has been a top player in the Big Ten this season. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)
- 8. AJ Hammons, Purdue: (12.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 62.3% FG, 114.6 O-Rating) — Hammons hasn’t been as much of a topic of conversation for two reasons. First, the team has been so deep and dominant, the individual numbers don’t pop as much, as the Boilermakers don’t have anyone averaging more than 27.2 MPG. Secondly, Isaac Haas has gotten off to such a solid start as the pivot position has become more of a platoon-type situation. A deeper look at the numbers however show that the senior is attacking the glass at a higher clip, shooting for a higher percentage from the floor, and he has a higher offensive rating from a year ago (114.6-104.2) on similar usage.
- 7. Bryant McIntosh, Northwestern: (15.8 PPG, 6.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 50.0% 3PT) — Any point guard who can average almost 16 points a game and make half of his shots from behind the arc while increasing his assist rate from his freshman season deserves recognition. McIntosh is one of the main cogs for an 8-1 Northwestern team that could argue it has the best back court in the conference with McIntosh and Tre Demps.
- 6. Caris LeVert, Michigan: ( 17.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.0 APG, 43.5% 3PT) — For the most part, LeVert is picking up right where he left off for Michigan as a do-it-all type that is going to stuff the stat sheet. Aside from just a horrible shooting night against SMU where he simply couldn’t get any shot to roll his way, the senior has hit for double-figure scoring in every game thus far. His shooting numbers are up across the board, and his 124.9 offensive rating is the highest of his career.
Check back tomorrow for the top five Big Ten players to date.