Who doesn’t enjoy watching a 42-41 basketball game involving a top-10 team? Sure, the Illinois vs. Michigan State game on Tuesday night received a lot of flak because of both team’s inability to score, but I believe that is what sets the Big Ten apart from the rest of the nation. Unlike the NBA, ACC, or Big East, defense is relevant in the Big Ten, in fact it’s what the conference prides itself in. There are both great individual and team defenses in this great conference. In fact when I looked back at this same article that from a year ago, only three of the top nine defensive players still play in the Big Ten.
While I was in attendance at Tuesday night’s low scoring affair, I have surprisingly seen two lower scoring games than that. In fact, I have witnessed the two lowest scoring games in the modern era for the Big Ten. First, I saw Penn State defeat Illinois 38-33 during my freshman year. Then last year at the Big Ten Tournament, the same Nittany Lion team beat Wisconsin 36-33. Did I find those games boring? Absolutely not. Call me crazy, but I love seeing close games no matter how many points are scored. Illinois beating tenth-ranked Michigan State at home 42-41, in a game where Draymond Green was limited to 15 minutes, is still a win against a great opponent. There are no style points in college basketball, like there are in college football, which is a very good thing.
Aaron Craft, guard, Ohio State Buckeyes
There isn’t a guard in all of college basketball that is as pesky as Craft. While Craft averages 2.3 steals, his constant on-ball defense and pressure to team’s opposing point guards is really what defines his game. A former high school quarterback, Craft is hardnosed and doesn’t back down from any other guards in the league. His ability to create turnovers leads to so many easy buckets for his Ohio State teammates, which is something that gets left out of the box score. While Jared Sullinger, William Buford, and Deshaun Thomas are a terrific scoring trio, this Buckeye team would not be nearly as good without Craft, especially on the defensive end. A sophomore, Craft is only 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, but his tremendous effort certainly makes up for his lack of size.
Tim Frazier, guard, Penn State Nittany Lions
Not only is Frazier the heart and soul of the Nittany Lions on the offensive end, but he is also their best defensive player. Frazier averages 2.1 steals, just below Craft in that category. The difference between the two players though is that Frazier exerts so much energy on the offensive end either scoring or distributing, that it’s amazing how good of a defender he is. Without Frazier, the Nittany Lions would be lucky to have even a handful of wins this season. Frazier leads the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. To me, the most impressive of those is that he leads PSU in rebounds even though he is only 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, yet he still pulls in nearly five boards per game. Although the Nittany Lions are likely to finish in the cellar of the Big Ten this season, Frazier should not be penalized for playing on a bad team and should be rewarded with some sort of Big Ten honors.
Zack Novak, guard, Michigan Wolverines
Novak only averages 0.7 steals, so how does he make it on to this list? I’ll tell you how. At 6-foot-4, Novak often has to guard the other teams’ power forward because Michigan uses a four-guard lineup. This isn’t a new phenomenon either for Novak, who has been doing this for four seasons. Novak is as intense as any player in the conference and certainly isn’t afraid to foul you hard on your way to the bucket, just ask Arkansas freshman B.J. Young. Novak also seems to always be outside the restricted area set up and ready to take a charge. This is Novak’s last go around in the Big Ten and he would love nothing more than to make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, something that I think Michigan is definitely capable of. While they may live and die by the three, Novak’s defense has been a constant savior that could come up big next month.
Draymond Green, forward, Michigan State Spartans
The Dancing Bear can do it all: score, rebound, and pass, as well as grab steals and block shots. Green leads the Spartans with 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks and is as well rounded of a player as anyone in the Big Ten. Green and Craft were the only two members of my list last year to also make it onto the list this year. At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Green is a matchup nightmare. He is wide and strong enough to guard players taller than him, but he moves well enough to defend guards. Although Green may not be as athletic as other players, his versatility should be enough to get him onto an NBA team in June’s upcoming draft. Without Green the Spartans would be lost, as it showed on Tuesday night when Green was limited to only 15 minutes of action. This senior would love to get back to the Final Four, something that he was able to pull off during his first two seasons in East Lansing.
Rodney Williams, forward, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Williams may be the most athletic player in the entire Big Ten. He averages 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocked shots, which is tops for Minnesota in both categories, and has finally established himself on the offensive end during his junior year. Williams made the move to power forward when Trevor Mbakwe went out for the season, which was a blessing in disguise for Williams who is now able to play his natural position. Williams stands 6-foot-7, but his incredible wingspan and leaping ability make him just a freak athlete that has NBA potential written all over him. Williams has either a steal or a blocked shot in all but one game this season, which the Golden Gophers won anyway. The emergence of Williams on both ends of the court may just be enough for Tubby Smith’s squad to sneak back into the NCAA Tournament.