Link: http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/10/19/big-ten-preview-maryland-indiana-michigan-state
Coach of the Year: Mark Turgeon, Maryland
Last year, Big Ten media tapped Turgeon as its coach of the year, while Big Ten coaches chose Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan. This year, the choice should be unanimous, and it should be Turgeon. Our projections predict Turgeon and the Terrapins to repeat their 14-4 conference record from a season ago, but for that to be good enough to capture the regular season crown. Turgeon recruited players from the high school ranks (five-star big man Diamond Stone being the jewel of the class) and the graduate transfer market (former Duke wing Rasheed Sulaimon) to compile one of the most talented starting fives in the country. If he can fit them together into a cohesive unit, he’ll earn the honor—and he could have a deep run in March. Despite a shaky off-season, Indiana’s Tom Crean could also be in contention given his team’s likely on-court success this season.
Player of the Year: Melo Trimble, Maryland
Frank Kaminsky was the runaway player of the year in the conference (and in the country) last season, but expect a spirited race for conference POY honors this season. Trimble is the pick because he’ll be the leader of a team likely to be in the top 10 throughout the season. As mentioned above, Maryland has talented pieces, but figuring out how they fit together in game action will fall largely to Trimble. He is the key for the Terrapins turning their potential into a Big Ten title. Also in the running should be Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes, Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine and Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. or Troy Williams.
Freshman of the Year: Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
Swanigan’s recruitment during high school was messy, to say the least: After committing to Michigan State last spring, and tweeting “Once a Spartan. Always a Spartan.”, Swanigan decommitted and chose instead to attend conference rival Purdue. The Boilermakers already boast a formidable frontcourt with 7-footers in A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas. Their presence means there should be plenty of room for Swanigan to work. He’s a natural post scorer who should get plenty of touches and put up big numbers for coach Matt Painter. His main competition should be Maryland’s Stone, who also projects as a high-usage, high-efficiency freshman.
Projected Conference Finish and Records
1. Maryland (14-4)
2. Indiana (12-6)
2. Michigan State (12-6)
4. Michigan (11-7)
4. Ohio State (11-7)
4. Purdue (11-7)
7. Wisconsin (10-8)
8. Illinois (9-9)
8. Iowa (9-9)
10. Northwestern (8-10)
11. Nebraska (7-11)
12. Penn State (6-12)
13. Minnesota (5-13)
14. Rutgers (1-17)
Projected Stats on Nebraska for 2015-16
It seems like just yesterday that Nebrasketball fever swept the country and helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Nebraska followed that up last season with a 5-13 conference record (including a 1-10 finish). The graduation of Terran Petteway could actually be a boost, as he used 32.3% of the team's shots with a meager offensive rating of 94.8. Senior guard Shavon Shields should have a strong season and lead Nebraska back to the postseason, even if it's just to the NIT.
Coach of the Year: Mark Turgeon, Maryland
Last year, Big Ten media tapped Turgeon as its coach of the year, while Big Ten coaches chose Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan. This year, the choice should be unanimous, and it should be Turgeon. Our projections predict Turgeon and the Terrapins to repeat their 14-4 conference record from a season ago, but for that to be good enough to capture the regular season crown. Turgeon recruited players from the high school ranks (five-star big man Diamond Stone being the jewel of the class) and the graduate transfer market (former Duke wing Rasheed Sulaimon) to compile one of the most talented starting fives in the country. If he can fit them together into a cohesive unit, he’ll earn the honor—and he could have a deep run in March. Despite a shaky off-season, Indiana’s Tom Crean could also be in contention given his team’s likely on-court success this season.
Player of the Year: Melo Trimble, Maryland
Frank Kaminsky was the runaway player of the year in the conference (and in the country) last season, but expect a spirited race for conference POY honors this season. Trimble is the pick because he’ll be the leader of a team likely to be in the top 10 throughout the season. As mentioned above, Maryland has talented pieces, but figuring out how they fit together in game action will fall largely to Trimble. He is the key for the Terrapins turning their potential into a Big Ten title. Also in the running should be Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes, Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine and Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. or Troy Williams.
Freshman of the Year: Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
Swanigan’s recruitment during high school was messy, to say the least: After committing to Michigan State last spring, and tweeting “Once a Spartan. Always a Spartan.”, Swanigan decommitted and chose instead to attend conference rival Purdue. The Boilermakers already boast a formidable frontcourt with 7-footers in A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas. Their presence means there should be plenty of room for Swanigan to work. He’s a natural post scorer who should get plenty of touches and put up big numbers for coach Matt Painter. His main competition should be Maryland’s Stone, who also projects as a high-usage, high-efficiency freshman.
Projected Conference Finish and Records
1. Maryland (14-4)
2. Indiana (12-6)
2. Michigan State (12-6)
4. Michigan (11-7)
4. Ohio State (11-7)
4. Purdue (11-7)
7. Wisconsin (10-8)
8. Illinois (9-9)
8. Iowa (9-9)
10. Northwestern (8-10)
11. Nebraska (7-11)
12. Penn State (6-12)
13. Minnesota (5-13)
14. Rutgers (1-17)
Projected Stats on Nebraska for 2015-16
It seems like just yesterday that Nebrasketball fever swept the country and helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Nebraska followed that up last season with a 5-13 conference record (including a 1-10 finish). The graduation of Terran Petteway could actually be a boost, as he used 32.3% of the team's shots with a meager offensive rating of 94.8. Senior guard Shavon Shields should have a strong season and lead Nebraska back to the postseason, even if it's just to the NIT.
