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The Big Ten is stacked with title contenders. After all, Iowa, Michigan State and Maryland have been getting a ton of hype all season long … and we haven’t even mentioned Indiana or Purdue yet.
In the spirit of the Big Ten season moving along smoothly and a ton of excitement taking place in the process, we give you the Big Ten basketball individual awards midway through the game.
5. Coach Of The Year: Fran McCaffery
Getty ImagesBasically, the COY could come down to which team wins the Big Ten.
If Michigan State didn’t go on a bit of a slide, Tom Izzo would likely be leading the charge. As of right now, this award is a two-man race. Fran McCaffery gets the nod, but don’t count out Indiana’s Tom Crean just yet.
Basically, the COY could come down to which team wins the Big Ten.
4. Player Of The Year: Jarrod Uthoff
Getty ImagesNonetheless, Uthoff has been unstoppable, so it only makes sense to crown him the Player of the Year champ right now.
As a result of the Big Ten being filled with title contenders, some of the best players also reside in this conference. Right now, Jarrod Uthoff, Denzel Valentine and Melo Trimble could all still be crowned Player of the Year. Yogi Ferrell might be snubbed out of that discussion right now, but he is still part of the Big Ten POY talks.
Nonetheless, Uthoff has been unstoppable, so it only makes sense to crown him the Player of the Year champ right now.
3. Defensive Player Of The Year: A.J. Hammons
Getty ImagesAccording to sports-reference.com, Hammons is No. 1 in the Big Ten in defensive rating. He is also averaging 2.4 blocks per game, which is second to Uthoff … of course. Hammons also ranks sixth in the Big Ten in rebounds (7.7 RPG).
As is always the case with midseason awards, these bad boys can always change. A.J. Hammons has been a blessing on the defensive side of the ball — well, for Purdue, that is.
According to sports-reference.com, Hammons is No. 1 in the Big Ten in defensive rating. He is also averaging 2.4 blocks per game, which is second to Uthoff … of course. Hammons also ranks sixth in the Big Ten in rebounds (7.7 RPG).
2. Freshman Of The Year: Diamond Stone/Caleb Swanigan
Getty ImagesOf course, guys like Indiana’s Thomas Bryant are still in the mix for this award as well.
It is too tough to decide this award this early in the game. Both players are so important to their teams, and both players are also still battling it out for Rookie of the Year in college basketball, although Ben Simmons seems like the obvious choice for that one.
Of course, guys like Indiana’s Thomas Bryant are still in the mix for this award as well.
1. Most Improved Player: Jarrod Uthoff
Getty ImagesJust in case you were wondering, Uthoff is averaging 18.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.0 BPG and he is shooting 48.3 percent from behind the arc.
There are plenty of players who upped their games this season, but Uthoff entered 2015-16 unknown. Now, he might end up winning Player of the Year ... and his Iowa Hawkeyes could be the best team in the Big Ten as a result of his great play.
Just in case you were wondering, Uthoff is averaging 18.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.0 BPG and he is shooting 48.3 percent from behind the arc.
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