After a thrilling Nebraska victory over Wisconsin last night to close out the Big Ten regular season, let's take a look at the Big Ten's best as I hand out my hardware for the leagues' brightest stars.
Big Ten Player of the Year: Nik Stauskas, Sophomore SG/SF, University of Michigan
In a choice that should be unanimous when the media and coaches make their choices, Nik Stauskas was the best player on a team that just manhandled, for lack of a better term, one of the deepest conferences in the country. Despite being a wing player, he used a large share of Michigan's possessions and was extremely efficient as both a scorer and a distributor. He averaged over 17 points and 3 assists per game, as well as shooting 46% from three for the year. It is believed he will forego his final two years in a Michigan uniform to pursue his lifelong goal of playing in the NBA.
Big Ten Freshman of the Year: Noah Vonleh, C, Indiana University
A certain lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Vonleh was stellar in his first and likely last season in a Hoosier uniform. Averaging close to a double-double each game (11 points, 9 rebounds), Vonleh used his large frame to bully opponents inside the paint. Surprisingly, he hit over 50% of his three point attempts (16/31). Expect a long, successful NBA career for this skilled big man if he can stay healthy.
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Craft, PG, Ohio State University
Universally hated by opposing fans, but also respected by many experts. Craft is not an offensive point guard by any stretch of the imagination, but in terms of defensive ability and hustle, he is a one-of-a-kind player. He has the rare ability to make the other team's best offensive player invisible. He averages an astounding 2.6 steals per game, and this year broke the Ohio State record for most steals in a career. He is the key to the engine for the Buckeyes, and will need to play above his normal production to spur a deep postseason run for the Buckeyes.
Coach of the Year: John Beilein, University of Michigan
Despite Tim Miles' success at Nebraska, what Beilein has done this year in Ann Arbor is special. After losing the 2013 consensus National POY Trey Burke, 1st round pick Tim Hardaway Jr, and preseason 1st team All-American Mitch McGary to injury, Beilein led the Wolverines to a 15-3 conference record. Michigan is the first team since the 1999 Michigan State Spartans to win the conference by more than three games.
All Big Ten First Team:
PG - Yogi Ferrell, Sophomore, Indiana University: High volume possession-user and scorer, 40% from three, 4 assists per game, single-handedly kept IU in games this year.
SG - Gary Harris, Sophomore, Michigan State University: Stud defensively, slumped with his shot in the latter half of the Big Ten schedule, but has a solid all-around game. Potential lottery pick.
SF - Nik Stauskas, Sophomore, University of Michigan: Recapped above, high usage scorer, good assist to turnover ratio, 46% from three, complete offensive game.
G/F - Terran Pettaway, Junior, University of Nebraska: The conference's scoring champion at 18.6 points per game, Pettaway has likely carried the Cornhuskers to their first NCAA tournament in over a decade. Another all-around scorer, ability to slash to the bucket but also shot 43% from three.
C - Adreian Payne, Senior, Michigan State University: Perhaps the most versatile scoring big man in recent memory, Payne can post up and score with his back to the basket, or can step out and shoot the 3 with great efficiency.
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