Big Ten Power Rankings

With the Big Ten season winding down, the player of the year race is likely to be a prominent topic of discussion. Guys like Talor Battle, Kalin Lucas, Evan Turner and Manny Harris figure to be in the running. But not every team has a candidate. However, every team has at least one standout performer. This week’s power rankings focus on each team’s most valuable player.

1. Michigan State (22-5, 12-3):
Team MVP: Kalin Lucas (14.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, 37.0 3PT%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Very good.
--Lucas quarterbacks the best team in the conference, and he’s not too shabby either. His lightning quickness and defense are keys to the Spartan attack. When he plays well Michigan State is awfully tough for anyone in the nation to beat.

2. Illinois (23-6, 11-5):
Team MVP: Chester Frazier (5.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.4 APG, 36.7 3PT%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Might as well be a million to one.
--While Frazier has virtually no chance of being the Big Ten POY, he makes the ‘Illini go. He doesn’t score a ton of points but plays smart efficient basketball, and he contributes in many areas. It doesn’t matter that he’s sixth on his own team in scoring.

3. Purdue (21-7, 10-5):
Team MVP: JaJuan Johnson (13.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 56.5 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Slim.
--Johnson has made striking improvements from his freshman season. He’s playing a lot more minutes and producing at a high level. He is one of the main reasons Purdue has won consistently despite Robbie Hummel’s back issues.

4. Wisconsin (17-10, 8-7):
Team MVP: Marcus Landry (12.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 49.6 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Improving, but still very low.
--Landry provides leadership and steady, productive play. He doesn’t do anything spectacular, and he’s by no means a superstar, but he always plays hard and does exactly what Bo Ryan wants. His senior presence helped the Badgers break out of their six-game funk.

5. Ohio State (18-8, 8-7):
Team MVP: Evan Turner (16.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 50.9 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Very good.
--Turner probably rivals Lucas as one of the top two candidates for Big Ten POY. He does it all--what else can you say? He’s have a very special season and is definitely deserving of winning some individual hardware.

6. Michigan (18-11, 8-8):
Team MVP: Manny Harris (17.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.3 APG, 41.4 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Decent, but unlikely.
--Harris possesses as much talent as anyone in the conference. He can fly up and down the court. He’s lengthy. He’s quick. And he puts up big numbers in a lot of categories. It’s inexplicable as to why John Beilein benched him in the overtime against Iowa.

7. Minnesota (20-8, 8-8):
Team MVP: Al Nolen (7.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.0 APG, 34.5 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Zero.
--Perhaps I’m biased in favor of point guards. Nolen ranks third on the team in scoring, but is crucial to the team’s success. He can really fill up a stat sheet, contributing on the glass, poking away passes and dishing out assists.

8. Penn State (19-9, 8-7):
Team MVP: Talor Battle (17.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, 40.7 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Better than average.
--More people should be aware of this guy nationally. He should be considered in the top five in the race for Big Ten POY. He means more to his team than just about anybody in the conference. The ball is always in his hands with the game on the line.

9. Northwestern (15-11, 6-9):
Team MVP: Kevin Coble (15.3 PPG, 4.5. RPG, 2.5 APG, 38.1 3PT%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: Very slim.
--This was a tough one. Craig Moore means a lot to the ‘Cats as well, but Coble is the most athletic and talented player on the roster. It takes an incredible season for anyone to win the Big Ten POY award on a 6-9 team. That doesn’t diminish the fact that Coble has shined this season though.

10. Iowa (14-14, 4-11):
Team MVP: Matt Gatens (11.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 43.1 3PT%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: See Al Nolen.
--Jake Kelly has made a recent push for the honor of team MVP, but Gatens has played with more consistency throughout the balance of the season. This consistency has been a saving grace for a team ravaged by injuries. Gatens represents the face of the Iowa program.

11. Indiana (6-21, 1-14):
Team MVP: Tom Pritchard (10.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 50.0 FG%)
Chances of being Big Ten POY: About as good as mine.
--Pritchard’s play is a bright spot for a team enduring a nightmare of a season. Like Gatens, Pritchard is only a freshman and could be a key player in Tom Crean’s rebuilding efforts. He’ll have to stave off a slew of big-time recruits in the coming years though.