Big Ten Basketball: Fantasy Preview

This is the 3rd of six fantasy stats projections for BCS conference starters. One of my favorite series of the year, and a helpful guide when drafting for fantasy college basketball leagues. For an idea of whether I know what I'm talking about, check out last year's Big Ten Stats Projection. As always, some teams were nailed better then others.. Wisconsin was solid, Purdue rather weak.. and I strongly overrated BJ Mullens.

Keep in mind stats are highly dependent on minutes, and freshmen are obviously the hardest to predict. I try to note places below where other starters not listed may emerge or where competition for major minutes exist. Stats are listed by ppg, rpg, and then apg.

ILLINOIS

G Demetri McCamey - 14, 4, 5
G Alex Legion - 8, 2, 2

G DJ Richardson - 9, 3, 3
F Mike Davis - 12, 10, 2
F Mike Tisdale - 12, 6, 1

Notes: Richardson is a freshman. Along with Brandon Paul, the two could eat up minutes from Alex Legion who was a major bust last year. Paul is a big-time scoter who should average 8-12 ppg even if he comes off the bench.

INDIANA

G Jeremiah Rivers - 5, 3, 3
G Devan Dumes - 14, 4, 2
G Verdell Jones - 11, 4, 3
F Derek Elston - 9, 5, 1

C Tom Pritchard - 10, 7, 1

Notes: Jones had the best numbers out of Indiana's returning players, but he could lose minutes to freshman Maurice Cheek. Matt Roth is a streaky shooting guard off the bench capable of putting up points.

IOWA
G Cully Payne - 5, 3, 3
G Matt Gatens - 14, 4, 3
G Anthony Tucker - 13, 3, 2
F Aaron Fuller - 7, 5, 1
F Jarryd Cole - 7, 7, 0

Notes: Gatens & Tucker are capable scorers, but don't expect any exiciting stat-stuffing numbers from anyone here.

MICHIGAN

G Manny Harris - 20, 6, 5
G Laval Lucas-Perry - 10, 3, 2

G Stu Douglass - 8, 2, 3
F DeShawn Sims - 17, 9, 1
C Zack Gibson - 6, 5, 1

Notes: Zack Novak saw starter minutes last year, and should contribute between 8 and 10 ppg. If Harris gets his fg% up from 41.5 to 45 or above, he can score 20 ppg easy.

MICHIGAN STATE

G Kalin Lucas - 14, 4, 7
G Durrell Summers - 12, 4, 2
F Raymar Morgan - 14, 7, 2
F Delvon Roe - 9, 8, 1
F Draymond Green - 6, 6, 1

Notes: With a healthy Morgan and an improving surrounding cast of scorers, don't expect a further jump in Lucas' production, though his assists could jump. Chris Allen will also approach double-digit scoring off the bench.

MINNESOTA

G Al Nolen - 6, 4, 5
G Lawrence Westbrook - 12, 3, 2
F Royce White - 10, 5, 2
F Damian Johnson - 12, 6, 2
C Ralph Sampson - 10, 7, 1

Notes: White, a freshman, could crack the starting rotation. But I also expected big things out of Devan Bostick last year and he never really panned out. He's still an option off the bench, as is Blake Hoffarber who has 10 ppg potential if given the minutes.

NORTHWESTERN

G Michael Thompson - 14, 3, 4
G Jeremy Nash - 8, 3, 2
F John Shurna - 10, 5, 2
F Kevin Coble - 16, 6, 3
C Kyle Rowley - 7, 3, 1

Notes: Thompson's scoring output was only 9.9 ppg, but I expect a bounce back season on the scoring end. Shurna has the potential to score 15 ppg by the time he's a senior.

OHIO STATE
G William Buford - 13, 4, 2

G Jon Diebler - 13, 4, 4
G Evan Turner - 18, 7, 6
F David Lighty - 10, 7, 2
C Dallas Lauderdale - 6, 5, 1

Notes: Evans is a legit stud, and could see a boost in apg if he plays more point. PJ Hill & Jeremie Simmons see decent minutes off the bench, but neither offers much in terms of fantasy.

PENN STATE

G Talor Battle - 18, 5, 6
G Chris Babb - 9, 2, 1
F Jeff Brooks - 6, 5, 1
F David Jackson - 7, 5 1
F Andrew Jones - 10, 8, 1

Notes: Battle contributes solidly in the 3 main categories. Jones averaged 6 & 5 last year but should see the biggest bump. Freshman Tim Frazier is good enough to see 15-20 mpg as the 1st guard off the bench.

PURDUE

G Chris Kramer - 7, 3, 3
G Lewis Jackson - 8, 3, 5
G E'Twaun Moore - 16, 5, 4
F Robbie Hummel - 12, 9, 2
6 JaJuan Johnson - 15, 7, 1

Notes: Last year, I underrated Johnson's output and overrated Moore's. Keaton Grant will also see big-time minutes, and should score 7-8 ppg.

WISCONSIN

G Trevon Hughes - 15, 4, 4
G Jason Bohanon - 13, 3, 3
G/F Tim Jarmusz - 6, 5, 1
F Jon Leuer - 12, 5, 1
F Keaton Nankivil - 8, 5, 1

Notes: Wisconsin usually features a well-balanced attack, so don't expect a 20 ppg scorer. Wisconsin welcomes 5 freshmen, and big man Jared Berggren probably has the best chance to contribute immediately.

Projected Big Ten Leaders

Top PPG
1) Manny Harris (20)
2) Talor Battle (18)
3) Evan Turner (18)

Top RPG
1) Mike Davis (10)
2) DeShawn Sims (9)

3) Robbie Hummel (9)

Top APG
1) Kalin Lucas (7)
2) Talor Battle (6)

3) Harris/Jackson/McCamey/Nolen (5)

Fantasy Stats Preview Archive

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