It’s very early, but the Big 10 is off the best start of any conference. You’ll probably be reading those words: “It’s very early, but…” a lot around here, but these games count and we can jump on some early values if we have a quick clicking finger. Teams like Michigan and Penn State won’t keep winning, but the conference only has two losses through the first ten days of the season. Illinois lost to Texas in overtime and Iowa will have a lot of losses this season. Let’s look at some of the early developing stories.
Check out the Gophers
I think I am going to be eating crow all season long when it comes to Ralph Sampson III who I dismissed in an early draft recap. Sampson has opened the season with three great performances and is averaging 18.3 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Even drafted in the third round, he looks like a great value. Sampson isn’t even the Golden Gophers leading rebounder; that would be Trevor Mbakwe. He played sparingly back in 2007-08 with Marquette. After two years away from college basketball, Mbakwe is back with three straight double-doubles and an introduction into the starting lineup. Pick him up quickly. Blake Hoffarber is the third of the fantasy relevant Minnesota players. He has taken over facilitating the offense for Al Nolen and is averaging 7.3 assists to go along with 11.3 points and 2.3 steals. Nolen (nine points, four assists) will eventually figure more into the offense, but for now Hoffarber is the Minnesota guard to own.
Freshman spotlight: Jared Sullinger
Sullinger was the most highly touted freshman in conference and we had him at number 5 in our preseason top 50. I got a good look at him against Florida and it was hard not to be impressed. He has a big body, post moves, and good hands for rebounding. I was trying to think of a good comparison from recent college basketball seasons, but the best I could come up with DeJuan Blair, who was a better rebounder but not as skilled offensively. Florida is a veteran team (and that is why they were ranked so highly), but they allowed Sullinger to score a number of uncontested baskets. That won’t happen in Big 10 play. Nevertheless, you can be happy that the big freshman is on your team and his center eligibility (via Blue Ribbon) makes him very, very valuable.
Other Top Players
Other players off to good starts include Illinois point guard Demetri McCamey, Wisconsin forward Jon Leuer, and Indiana forward Christian Watford. We knew McCamey would rack up assists, but he has much more judicious on the offensive end. He has made 56.8% of his shots and is averaging a career-high 16.5 points. The Illini have a lot of talent, but it will all revolve around McCamey in the 6-foot-3 guard’s senior season. Leuer broke out last year, but was limited to 24 games with a wrist injury. This year, Leuer seems set to break out again (re-break out?). He has averaged 23 points, 6.5 rebounds, and four assists in the Badgers’ wins over Prairie View A&M and North Dakota. Admittedly, not the greatest competition, but Leuer looks like one of the nation’s top players. I expected Maurice Creek to be Indiana’s top offensive option, but through the early going Watford has been fantastic. The 6-foot-9 sophomore is providing 19.7 points, eight rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Watford has only hit one of his seven three-point attempts, but he seems like the best Hoosier to own.
Next Week’s Schedule
Thanksgiving week (Nov 22-28) will bring a feast to Spartan fans. The team heads to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational at the beginning of the week for three games, starting with Chaminade on Monday, and finishes the week with a home game against Tennessee Tech. Michigan State could meet Kentucky in the tournament final. Draymond Green, Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, and Delvon Roe are all must starts. Penn State and Wisconsin also check in for three games, so players like Jeff Brooks (14 points, nine rebounds) and Keaton Nankivil (9.5 points, four rebounds) can be considered. Minnesota and Northwestern only have one game apiece, so you may have to do without superstar Sampson and John Shurna.