Daily Dribble: Big Ten Top 25 Players

Following the ACC Top 25 Players earlier in the week, I move to the Midwest to take on the Big Ten. Outside the top handful of players, the talent is not comparable to the other BCS leagues. Still, there's new talent at Purdue, Ohio State, and elsewhere that could push some of these mediocre veterans off the list by season's end.

 

Big Ten Top 25 Players

 

1. Drew Neitzel, G, Michigan State - The best player on what will be the league's best team (sorry Indiana)

 

2. DJ White, PF, Indiana - He's been a man amongst boys for a couple years now

 

3. Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana - Gordon's ready to light it up, perhaps for his only go-around

 

4. Shaun Pruitt, C, Illinois - Big man improves substantially every year

 

5. Geary Claxton, SF, Penn State - Claxton's solid, but he shouldn't be this high in a BCS league

 

6. Raymar Morgan, SF, Michigan State - Emerging star is key to MSU's attack

7. Jamar Butler, PG, Ohio Sttae - The Buckeyes might ask too much out of Butler this year

8. Lawrence McKenzie, SG, Minnesota - Tubby needs him to be the man day in and day out

9. Jamelle Cornley, PF, Penn State - Despite being banged up, still put up 14 and 7

10. Othello Hunter, PF, Ohio State - After being a reserve, ready to emerge from the shadows

11. Mike Flowers, PG, Wisconsin - Solid decision-maker and defender

12. David Lighty, G/F, Ohio State - Yes, Ohio State actually has a sophomore returning

13. E'Twaun Moore, G, Purdue - Top Purdue recruit is the real deal

14. Kevin Coble, PF, Northwestern - Solid scorer, can play all three positions up front

15. Travis Walton, PG, Michigan State - Most APG out of returning Big Ten players

16. Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State - Heralded 7-footer is a future star, but it might take some time

17. Dan Coleman, F, Minnesota - Coleman is solid, but not as good as the numbers show

18. Ekpe Udoh, F/C, Michigan - Should be the force in the paint that Beliein needs

19. Goran Suton, C, Michigan State - Despite size, can step out and hit jumper

20. Armon Bassett, G, Indiana - Minutes might be limited by incoming Hoosier guards

21. Marquise Gray, PF, Michigan State - Junior is better than 7 ppg suggests

22. Manny Harris, PG, Michigan - Quality freshman could be this year's most overlooked player

23. Brian Butch, C, Wisconsin - Will end up being rare four-year starter

24. Spencer Tollackson, C, Minnesota - Needs to learn to bang in the post

25. Chris Kramer, PG, Purdue - Defensive spark-plug can surprise with offensive prowess

 

Next in Line

AJ Ratliff, G, Indiana - Injury/academic problems have stunted his development

Tony Freeman, G, Iowa - Had to get the Hawkeyes on the list somehow

Joe Krabbenhoft, PF, Wisconsin - Rare big time player out of South Dakota

Kalin Lucas, G, Michigan State - Top Spartan recruit will spend year in Neitzel's shadows

Evan Turner, SF, Ohio State - Just edged out fellow freshman teammate Joe Diebler

 

Complete Top 144 Ranking | 2007-08 Preview & Awards | ACC Top 25 Players