Big Ten

We're only one day beyond the 2008 National Championship Game.. but its never too early to start thinking about next year's Tournament. Here's an early projection of the 2009 NCAA Tournament field:

ACC

Big 12

Big East

Big Ten

Pac-10

SEC

It’s been a dogfight in the Big Ten this season, with five teams within two games of first place. It has also been a dogfight with regard to the top players in the conference, with only D.J. White standing out as an obvious choice for the Big Ten All-January team. With that being said, here’s January’s Fab Five.

Guard – Drew Neitzel – Michigan State – SR
13.7ppg, 4.5apg, 2.5rpg
Best game – Jan 27th – Michigan – 18 points, seven boards, seven assists, two steals

 

There is a reason February is the shortest month of the year. It makes March come quicker than we expect and that means BracketBusters is coming soon and the bubble watch is in full swing. This week, those topics dominate what “Welser Wonders…”

 

 

Like the case across most of the BCS conferences, a freshman is leading the way in the Big 10.  The old dogs are doing ok also, as two seniors make this early season list.

 

Yes - The ACC needs better competition

No - The ACC is better, but there's still good games

ACC

Big Ten

Indiana

Michigan State

Ohio State

Wisconsin

Other (Illinois, Penn State, Purdue, etc)

Following the ACC Top 25 Players earlier in the week, I move to the Midwest to take on the Big Ten. Outside the top handful of players, the talent is not comparable to the other BCS leagues. Still, there's new talent at Purdue, Ohio State, and elsewhere that could push some of these mediocre veterans off the list by season's end.

 

Big Ten Top 25 Players

 

This is the second of six mini statistical previews of the major conferences. Each one includes projected starting lineups, projected stats for each player, and a short comment. (Stats are listed in order of points, rebounds, then assists).

Illinois

G Chester Frazier - 10, 4, 6
G Demetri McCamey - 7, 3, 4
F Calvin Brock - 8, 5, 2
F Brian Randle - 11, 7, 1
C Shaun Pruitt - 14, 10, 0
6 Trent Meachem - 8, 3, 2