Well I think that most Big Ten coaches are happy to see the departure of Mike Conley Jr, and his 38 year old best friend Greg Oden (just kidding but that guy looks like he could be my grandfather). This years race is wide open but the main contenders are surprise surprise, Michigan State and Ohio State. Michigan State brings back All-American G Drew Neitzel and All-Big Ten F Raymar Morgan. Working around those two will be the reliable Travis Walton, the up and down Goran Suton, and the electic finisher Marquise Gray. The bench will be young coming out with freshmen Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, and Chris Allen. Along with the trio of freshman will be senior post player Drew Naymick. They are finally back to having a deep and talented team that can really play Tom Izzo ball and press on D and gun it on O.
The main competition is Thad Matta's crew from Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes lost Conley Jr, Oden, and Daequan Cook. But as the phrase goes the rich get richer and to replace Oden is another freshman star in Kosta Koufos. Koufos burst onto the international scene by carrying Greece on his shoulders and leading them to the finals of the U-19 European Championships. Joining Koufos in the starting lineup will be fellow freshman G Evan Turner, senior sharpshooter Jamar Butler, sophomore David Lighty and senior Othello Hunter. This team has a little less talent than Michigan State but it also features a young bench. Senior Matt Terwilliger is the sixth man but after him are freshmen Dallas Lauderdale, Jon Diebler, and Eric Wallace.
The Big Ten is in a slightly down year but several programs are starting with new players (Purdue, Wisconsin), new coaches (Michigan, Minnesota) and solid programs that are just down for the moment (Iowa, Illinois) The one team on the outside looking in are the Indiana Hoosiers. Kelvin Sampson's guys are ready for a surprise run at a conference title on the backs of senior PF D.J. White and big-time freshman G Eric Gordon. Joining them are Armon Bassett, A.J. Ratliff and Lance Stemler. The bench is looking towards Jordan Crawford and Eli Holman, both freshman, to really come in from day one and just helping the team by providing a spark here and there. So without further ado, here are the 2007-2008 Big Ten awards.
Winner: Michigan State
Player of the Year: Drew Neitzel G Michigan State
Freshman of the Year: Eric Gordon SG Indiana
Most Improved Player: Dave Lighty SG Ohio State
Surprise Team: Purdue
All- Big Ten:
C Brian Butch Wisconsin
PF D.J. White Indiana
SF Geary Claxton Penn St
SG Eric Gordon Indiana
PG Drew Neitzel Michigan State
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