In the Big Ten, Michigan State has been known as the best basketball school. Though the Spartans won the regular season conference title, Michigan has been closing in on their in-state rival since John Beilein took over. The Wolverines hav e won the past two conference tournaments, and are looking for a third this season, despite losing Moritz Wagner, Duncan Robinson, and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. Purdue, Nebraska, and Indiana also look to challenge the state of Michigan for supremacy in the Big Ten.
Predictions
Michigan State
Player to Watch: Nick Ward (Jr.)
Projected Finish: Sweet 16
Michigan
Player to Watch: Charles Matthews (Sr.)
Projected Finish: Elite 8
Purdue
Player to Watch: Carsen Edwards (Jr.)
Projected Finish: Sweet 16
Nebraska
Player to Watch: James Palmer Jr. (Sr.)
Projected Finish: Round of 64
Indiana
Player to Watch: Romeo Langford (Fr.)
Projected Finish: Round of 32
Wisconsin
Player to Watch: Ethan Happ (Grad)
Projected Finish: Round of 64
Maryland
Player to Watch: Anthony Cowan Jr. (Jr.)
Projected Finish: First Four Out
Minnesota
Player to Watch: Jordan Murphy (Sr.)
Projected Finish: NIT
Penn State
Player to Watch: Lamar Stevens (Jr.)
Projected Finish: NIT
Ohio State
Player to Watch: C.J. Jackson (Sr.)
Projected Finish: NIT
Iowa
Player to Watch: Tyler Cook (Jr.)
Projected Finish: NIT
Northwestern
Player to Watch: Ryan Taylor (Grad)
Projected Finish: 12th in conference
Illinois
Player to Watch: Trent Frazier (So.)
Projected Finish: 13th in conference
Rutgers
Player to Watch: Geo Baker (So.)
Projected Finish: 14th in conference
All-Conference Teams
First Team:
G Carsen Edwards, Purdue
G Charles Matthews, Michigan
G James Palmer Jr., Nebraska
F Juwan Morgan, Indiana
F Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
Second Team:
G Cassius Winston, Michigan State
G Anthony Cowan Jr., Maryland
G Romeo Langford, Indiana
F Jordan Murphy, Minnesota
F Nick Ward, Michigan State
Third Team:
G C.J. Jackson, Ohio State
G Zavier Simpson, Michigan
F Lamar Stevens, Penn State
F Tyler Cook, Iowa
F Isaac Copeland, Nebraska
Awards:
Newcomer of the Year: Romeo Langford, Indiana
Coach of the Year: Tim Miles, Nebraska
Player of the Year: Ethan Happ, Wisconsin