This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
It would seem that the Big Ten is in a similar position as it was last year. There are a bunch of good teams, but one stands out from the pack. Last year, it was Wisconsin and the Badgers made good on their preseason claim by winning the regular season and tournament championships, then giving Kentucky its only loss of the season before falling to Duke in the championship. This year, Maryland looks like the team to beat with returning stars Melo Trimble and Jake Layman. The Terrapins also have plenty of new blood in transfers Robert Carter Jr. and Rasheed Sulaimon (both formerly of the ACC), and freshman center Diamond Stone. Last year was the Terps first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2010, but a return to the Final Four since the first time since winning it all in 2002 would not be a surprise.
Top Three Players
Denzel Valentine, guard, Michigan State Spartans
Last year, I had Valentine on my sleeper list and he came through in a big way, despite the fact that I called him Darnell. Happily, the 6-foot-5 guard did not hold a grudge and nearly doubled his scoring output to 14.5 points. He added 6.3 boards and 4.3 assists to lead the Spartans to another successful season. Valentine significantly improved his perimeter game and hit better than 41 percent of his six 3-pointers attempted per game. The senior won't have Branden Dawson as a running mate, but the Spartans have plenty of interesting
It would seem that the Big Ten is in a similar position as it was last year. There are a bunch of good teams, but one stands out from the pack. Last year, it was Wisconsin and the Badgers made good on their preseason claim by winning the regular season and tournament championships, then giving Kentucky its only loss of the season before falling to Duke in the championship. This year, Maryland looks like the team to beat with returning stars Melo Trimble and Jake Layman. The Terrapins also have plenty of new blood in transfers Robert Carter Jr. and Rasheed Sulaimon (both formerly of the ACC), and freshman center Diamond Stone. Last year was the Terps first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2010, but a return to the Final Four since the first time since winning it all in 2002 would not be a surprise.
Top Three Players
Denzel Valentine, guard, Michigan State Spartans
Last year, I had Valentine on my sleeper list and he came through in a big way, despite the fact that I called him Darnell. Happily, the 6-foot-5 guard did not hold a grudge and nearly doubled his scoring output to 14.5 points. He added 6.3 boards and 4.3 assists to lead the Spartans to another successful season. Valentine significantly improved his perimeter game and hit better than 41 percent of his six 3-pointers attempted per game. The senior won't have Branden Dawson as a running mate, but the Spartans have plenty of interesting players to convert the guard's passes into assists.
A.J. Hammons, center, Purdue Boilermakers
Hammons is another repeat player in my Big Ten preview. He was one of the top three players last year and did just enough to warrant being in the top three again for his senior season. The 7-0 center saw his overall numbers - 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 blocks - remain relatively stable. Hammons has the league's best backup center is Isaac Haas and will get even more help from freshman Caleb Swanigan, so his numbers may not spike in his final season as a Boilermaker. However, more of the same will be plenty good for Hammons' fantasy owners.
Nigel Hayes, forward, Wisconsin Badgers
One might think that now that Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker have moved onto the NBA via first-round picks, Wisconsin would be in rebuilding mode. One would be wrong based on the history of Bo Ryan's program. Talent always seeps up for the Badgers. In Hayes' case, it isn't even seeping: it is evident. The junior forward provided 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds as a clear third option. We can only wonder what he will do as the Badgers' main man. He won't play more than the 33 minutes he did last year, but he come close to doubling his 8.4 shots per game. Hayes could vie for Big Ten Player of the Year.
Top Freshmen
Diamond Stone, center, Maryland Terrapins
I would be even higher on Stone if the Terrapins did not have the aforementioned offensive options. Even with a fine cast of characters, Maryland should look to Stone to get some easy baskets in the paint. The 6-11 freshman has soft touch around the basket and is big enough to push his way around. He will be limited by the presences of Layman and Carter, but Stone has a higher upside than either of those two and will get his numbers by season's end.
JaQuan Lyle, guard, Ohio State Buckeyes
It would be unfair to expect Lyle to step into DeAngelo Russell's spot and produce like the current Laker. Lyle will likely take on a role similar to Russell as a point wing. At 6-5, 230 lbs, Lyle has the size to punish smaller opponents in the paint, but has enough basketball IQ to use his handle and quickness to score on bigger defenders. He could also lead the Buckeyes in assists, although he will have to share offensive facilitation duties with freshman A.J. Harris, who is more of a traditional point guard, particularly in size. Lyle should help his team go dancing for the eighth straight season.
A Pair of Sleepers
Deshawn Freeman, forward, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
I know what you are thinking: Rutgers is in the Big Ten? Yes. In the Scarlet Knights first year in their new conference, they were treated quite rudely with just two conference wins. Eddie Jordan will get the program turned around and there are some interesting players already on the roster. The 6-7 Freeman comes from junior college where he averaged 19.2 points and 9.5 rebounds for Hutchinson. He should start at power forward and could lead the team in both points and boards.
Jaylon Tate, guard, Illinois Fighting Illini
Coach John Groce's teams have usually leaned on their guards. With Tracy Abrams out again with a torn ACL, it looks like the point guard job is Tate's to lose. The 6-3 junior will have to vie with LaSalle transfer Khalid Lewis and freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands (who is recovering from a stress fracture), but he has more experience in the system. Tate averaged just 3.6 points and 2.9 assists in 20.4 minutes as a sophomore. His shooting (just 36.8 percent from the field) was not good, but it was a nice bump from his horrid freshman season. Continued improvement from the field could result in Tate being a viable fantasy guard option.
