On the surface, this may seem a little early to start looking ahead to this college hoops season. Heck, I just got done ranking college fantasy running backs two days ago and recently started prepping for my NFL drafts. However, it's been nearly four months since Gordon Hayward's heave clanged off the rim, and it's less than three months until hoops practice opens up. So why not? With pretty limited turnover in the Big Ten due to graduation, transfer, or poor decisions to enter the NBA draft (I'm talking to you Manny Harris), there are plenty of familiar names on the list below. It seems like knowing the players would make my job easier, but I definitely struggled with some of these. Take a look and let me know what you think!
1. Talor Battle, G, Penn State Nittany Lions
While I did need a little time to refresh my memory as to how different players performed last season, it didn't take long to slot Battle in at number one. Despite limited offensive options around him, Battle managed to post 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season. A few transfers will leave the Penn State cupboard bare yet again, but Battle is a volume shooter who will be happy to hoist a few more shots. He managed double-figure points in 26 of 31 games and scored at least 20 points 14 times. Despite his size (or lack thereof), he isn't afraid to mix it up inside to either get to the line (166 FT attempts last year) or hit the glass (22 games with at least four boards). His assists were down with fewer options to pass to, but he should hover around four per game again this year.
2. JaJuan Johnson, C, Purdue Boilermakers
Given the lack of mediocre centers let alone elite ones, Johnson's fantasy value has never been higher. He's improved steadily during his time at Purdue and spurned the NBA to return for his senior season. Last year he had 29 games with at least 10 points and 11 efforts of 20-plus points on his way to posting 15.5 points per game. Johnson attempted a gaudy 220 free throws and displayed great touch from there with 71.8 percent shooting from the stripe. He also upped his rebounding to 7.1 per game, posting nine double-doubles and narrowly missing a few others. On the defensive end, he swatted at least two shots in 24 of 35 games. Look for him to produce at least the same numbers for a talented Purdue squad.
3. Demetri McCamey, G, Illinois Fighting Illini
McCamey turned in his best all-around season as a junior and was a terrific source of assists for fantasy owners. He doled out at least five assists in 29 of 36 games and dropped at least seven dimes a staggering 21 times. In addition to facilitatiing the offense, McCamey was able to score consistently with 15.1 points per game, including 28 double-digit scoring efforts. He added 3.6 rebounds as well and showed he can be a solid defender with at least two steals in 16 games. The Illini have almost everyone back and add a few talented recruits, so the opportunities to find open teammates will remain plentiful for McCamey in 2010-11.
4. Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State Buckeyes
In a conference filled with returning players, I was hesitant to rank a freshman this high. However, Thad Matta has a great track record with highly-touted freshmen, and the Buckeyes desperately need a scoring presence inside. Enter Sullinger, who is a consensus top five recruit and arguably the best rebounder coming out of high school last season. He averaged 24.5 points and 12.3 rebounds as a senior, and his transition to college life will be eased by the fact that he's playing in his hometown. While Sullinger is almost a lock to be the next one and done player to come through Columbus, his one year should be impressive.
5. John Shurna, F, Northwestern Wildcats
You could argue that Shurna was the Big Ten's best fantasy player not named Evan Turner last year. He stepped in for the injured Kevin Coble and averaged 18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists to go with nearly one steal and one block. He scored at least 20 points 13 times, and he seemed to get stronger as the season wore on, posting at least 14 points in 16 of the final 17 games. Shurna displayed a nice shooting touch from the line (77.5% on 138 attempts) and from beyond the arc (35.5%). He notched a pair of double-doubles but proved to be a consistent rebounder with five or more boards in 29 of 34 games. Coble's return will deal a blow to Shurna's chances at repeating last year's numbers, but he's too talented to fall off very much.
6. Robbie Hummel, F, Purdue Boilermakers
Hummel was easily the hardest player for me to rank, as I had him anywhere from third to seventh on the list. The unknown is obviously health as he looks to return from a knee injury sustained late last year. He was on his way to a tremendous overall season with averages of 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Hummel had at least nine points in 26 of 27 games, shot 36.4% from deep, and made 90.2% of his free throws. Throw in six double-doubles and 19 games with at least six boards, and he was a fantasy force in virtually every category. The good thing for Purdue is that they have plenty of other solid options if Hummel is slow to recover, so he won't be rushed back.
7. William Buford, G, Ohio State Buckeyes
The loss of Evan Turner is a huge one for OSU, but fans and fantasy owners got a glimpse of what Buford is capable of following Turner's back injury last year. Starting with the game in which Turner was hurt, Buford averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over a 10-game stretch. Overall, he scored at least 11 points in 29 of 37 games while knocking down 38.3% from deep and doing a solid job of getting to the line. Buford managed four double-doubles (one with points and assists), grabbed at least five rebounds in 21 games, and had 24 contests with at least three assists. Add in 1.1 steals and you have a guy ready to take on a larger role and take the leap from a fantasy standpoint.
8. Jon Leuer, F, Wisconsin Badgers
Despite missing nine games with a broken wrist, Leuer established himself a solid fantasy contributor last season. He had at least 11 points in 20 of 24 games and finished with 15.4 points per game. In limited attempts, he shot 39.1% from beyond the arc and knocked down 72.0% from the line, although I'd expect him to get there more often this season. On the glass, Leuer posted two double-doubles and grabbed at least five boards 16 times. With Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon gone, more of the scoring burden should fall on Leuer and guard Jordan Taylor.
9. E'Twaun Moore, G, Purdue Boilermakers
I probably said this last year, but as an IU grad, it kills me to include another Purdue guy here. But the numbers don't lie, and Moore proved to be a very consistent scorer as a junior. In 35 games, he had at least nine points in 34 of them, notched at least 15 points in 23 contests, and poured in 20-plus points 10 times. With 137 free throw attempts, he was effective at getting to the line and made 73.0% of his freebies once he got there. Moore is making strides toward becoming a multi-category contributor with 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. If Hummel suffers any setbacks, look for Moore to pick up even more of the scoring burden.
10. Draymond Green, F, Michigan State Spartans
Green's inclusion on this list might suggest that CFHI institute a more stringent drug-testing policy, but hear me out. In just 25.5 minutes per game last season, the sophomore (who was named team captain by his teammates) posted 9.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks. While those numbers don't stand out on their own, you'll struggle to find such a capable multi-category contributor on draft day. Add the departure of Raymar Morgan, and Green will likely see additional playing time which should bump up his scoring at the very least. Last season he scored at least eight points 26 times, grabbed double-digit rebounds in 11 games, notched seven double-doubles, and dished out at least four assists in 12 contests, which is pretty impressive for a 6-foot-6 power forward.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Coble, F, Northwestern Wildcats; Maurice Creek, G, Indiana Hoosiers, Kalin Lucas, G, Michigan State Spartans, Verdell Jones III, G, Indiana Hoosiers, Durrell Summers, G, Michigan State Spartans, Mike Davis, F, Illinois Fighting Illini