Before the Big Ten announces the regular season award winners for the 2011-12 season, I wanted to chime in.
First, this year in basketball has been a pleasure to watch. Nearly every game has had an interesting storyline and twist to follow. We’ve seen Michigan State get on a roll and play very well until late. Ohio State was the consensus pick to win the conference early on but has since fizzled. Michigan has made some noise and proven they are going to be in contention for many years to come. And Indiana has returned to the rankings, made their home court one of the toughest places to play once again and they have second-best overall record in the league. The conference is better when IU is good.
The awards will be announced tonight at 7 p.m. EST on the Big Ten Network but here are my two cents on a few awards.
Coach of the Year
For me, this award comes down to two close friends: Tom Izzo and Tom Crean.
I give the award to Coach Crean, because of the complete job he has done this season. They have beaten three top-5 teams, one of which was Izzo’s squad. They are back in the rankings. They went from last in the Big Ten to fifth. If not for a couple of losses to Minnesota and Nebraska, the title is theirs. The thought was that next year the success would come. Instead, Crean has them one year ahead. Look at the development of Victor Oladipo, Will Sheehey or how Tom Pritchard and Matt Roth each accept their role.
At 24-7, doubling last year’s win total, I think Coach Crean has earned it.
Freshman of the Year
The impact two freshman have had on their teams is remarkable. Indiana’s Cody Zeller and Michigan’s Trey Burke. (Note: They each have seven Freshman of the Week honors).
Burke deserves heavy consideration because of the way he has played, stepped up in big moments, and filled the void of Darius Morris. At 23-8, his Michigan team won the share of the Big Ten title. They have beaten five top-25 teams in Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin and Memphis.
Averaging 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, Burke has been steady at the point guard position, one of the most important on the floor.
Then there’s Cody Zeller, who has made Indiana a ton better. With him, you cannot quantify what he brings to the court and how he makes a difference. Sure, you can note that he averages more points (16.5), rebounds (6.4) and steals (1.3) per game than Burke while shooting a staggering 64-percent from the field. But that’s not what does it for me.
It’s everything. His ability to finish around the basket, how he forces defenses to play Indiana, and how he opens up everybody else. It’s that he is the best player on IU’s team, yet he is the one helping others get open by setting screens. Remember it was Cody that laid the huge screen in the final seconds of the Kentucky game just before Christian Watford hit the game-winner.
Zeller is the epitome of a great player. Instead of forcing things and showing emotion to the officials, he lets his play on the court do the talking and let’s the game come to him. He just wins, and Zeller has helped lead IU’s charged back into the top-15, back into the conversation and back to a 20-plus win team. The Hoosiers doubled their win total from last year, and he’s the only significant piece added.
For all that and more, Zeller gets my vote (if I had one).
Player of the Year
This is easy, Draymond Green of Michigan State. The senior has averaged a double-double in his final year, 16 points and 10 rebounds. He has kept the Spartans alive in many situations.
Green is one of the great guys. He’s humbled, hungry and determined. At times he looks frustrated on the court but it’s only because he hates to lose. He has stepped up in game-after-game for Michigan State this season and a big reason why they have a share of the regular season title.
What do you think? We will all find out Monday night.
RESULTS:
Coach of the Year – Tom Izzo (both coaches and media)
Player of the Year – Draymond Green (both coaches and media)
Freshman of the Year – Cody Zeller (coaches), Trey Burke (media)