Mid-Season Thoughts

With the conference slate nearing its midway point, I thought I would give out some hardware to those deserving individuals:



Biggest Surprise

Illinois. After their lack-luster season one year ago, who at the beginning of the year thought Illinois would be contending for a Big Ten title? The play of Demetri McCamey and the vast improvement of big men Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale has been the primary reason Illinois has been so succesful so far this season.



Biggest Dud

Wisconsin. After losing five in a row, the Badgers are in uncharted territory. They haven't had a streak like that since 2002, but they've got all sorts of problems this year. They are still playing prototypical Wisconsin defense, but they aren't getting much production out of their guards and are having trouble putting the ball in the basket.



Best Game

Michigan at Indiana, Jan. 7. Michigan looked completely out-of-sync against Indiana in Bloomington, down by as many as 20 points in the second half. But the Wolverines rallied behind some inspired play from guards Manny Harris and Laval Lucas-Perry to shock the Hoosiers in overtime, 72-66. Michigan shot 40 (that's right, 40!) three-pointers (hit 12) and still won.



Best Play

There are a few that are worth merit here, but I'm going with Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor draining a 35-foot three-pointer as time expires to tie the game against Iowa on Jan. 21. Wisconsin would go on to lose this game in OT, but Taylor's shot certainly gave the Badgers a shot in the arm and silenced the crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, albeit temporarily.



Best Player

Pick-em between PSU's Talor Battle & MICH's Manny Harris. Both guys are equally as deserving of this title. Let's take a quick look at the numbers, as they are nearly identical, and let you decide:



Harris: 17.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 87% FT % (Team Record: 14-6; last year: 10-22)

Battle: 18.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.4 apg, 40% 3-Pt % (Team Record: 16-5; last year: 15-16)

Best Coaching Job
John Beilein, MICH. Michigan already has four more wins this year than last and are playing the way Beilein wants them to. Manny Harris looks to be a future NBA player and the Wolverines to date are the only team to knock off (this week's) No. 1 team in the country, Duke. Also beat then-No. 4 UCLA.


Best Defensive Player
Damian Johnson, MINN. The trendy pick here might be to pick between Purdue's Chris Kramer and Johnson's teammate, Al Nolen, but Johnson gets over two blocks and two steals each game. And with his 6'8" frame, he's a defensive nightmare for opponents.


Best Sixth Man

John Leuer, WIS. Off the bench, the 6'10" forward is averaging 9.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. Only a sophomore, Leuer looks like he is a bright spot for Bo Ryan's Badgers.



Which Teams Are NCAA Tournament-Bound?

Up to eight teams can make the NCAA Tournament, but I just don't see that happening. Right now, I'm putting down Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Penn State.



NIT?

Wisconsin, Ohio State



See You Next Year!

Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana



Who will win the conference?

Purdue. They are the most complete, most versatile team at this point, and they are hot. They still have to go to Ohio State (Feb. 3), Illinois (Feb. 8) and finish the season at Michigan State (March 8), which could decide the Big Ten crown.