Big Ten Media Tab Michigan State as Conference's Preseason Favorite - BIG TEN OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

MSU is officially the favorite to win the Big Ten (ahead of Ohio State and Purdue), and Kalin Lucas is the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year (and a first-team all-conference pick). Lucas is certainly a reasonable pick, given that he won the end-of-season award two years ago, but I'd probably go with Demetri McCamey, who's likely to put up bigger numbers. Lucas will need some time to get back to a 100% explosiveness level, and hopefully the emergence of Durrell Summers as a consistent scoring threat will reduce the need for Lucas to put up big numbers every night.

over 1 year ago KJ@theonlycolors 9 comments 0 recs |

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AnnArbor.com poll

Rothstein surveyed 11 beat writers. MSU picked as favorite by 10 of 11 voters. Illinois ahead of Purdue in #3 spot. Lucas ahead of McCamey by one vote for POTY. JaJuan Johnson top vote getter for all-conference team. Draymond tied for fifth spot on first team.

Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!

by KJ@theonlycolors on Oct 28, 2010 8:13 AM CDT reply actions

I'd go with McCamey too

Now that Hummel’s out. My second choice would be John Leuer, who could really blossom now that Trevon Hughes is no longer using up 28% of the possessions and Jordan Taylor and his 26% assist rate will be getting him the ball.

by Con-T on Oct 28, 2010 8:32 AM CDT reply actions

Badgers?

We don’t need no stinking Badgers!

In all seriousness I respect their program, but I hope they suck this year.

by TheCrestedHelm on Oct 28, 2010 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree on the sentiment

But would be shocked if they aren’t a factor in the conference race. At this point Bo Ryan probably deserves the benefit of the doubt. Until proven otherwise, I plan to assume Wisconsin will be in contention.

by trivialstuff16 on Oct 28, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Prediction

Here’s my off-the-cuff prediction on the actual 1st Team at the end of the year:

McCamey, Ill.
Johnson, Pur.
Buford, OSU
Summers, MSU
Green, MSU

2nd Team:

Lucas, MSU
Battle, PSU
Moore, Pur.
Leuer, Wis.
Sullinger, OSU

by Ducking Delvon on Oct 28, 2010 1:25 PM CDT reply actions

I think Summers is much more likely to be POY than Lucas.

PP-TPW.
The Only Colors

by LVS on Oct 28, 2010 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

I hope so

This team goes further with Summers performing at POY-level than Lucas. But, I’m happy with any Spartan winning it.

by TMadison25 on Oct 28, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

If the Summers from the 2010 NCAA tourney shows up all year this year...

He’ll be a pretty strong bet. I checked out his stats from the tourney run.

2/3/FTs went 36-66/17-33/8-11

That’s 133 points on 99 FGA —> eFG% = 67.2%.

And 141 points on 103.84 effective FGA (multiplying FTA by 0.44, as is the prescription for such things) —> TS% = 67.9%.

Dude was shooting out his mind during the tournament, and it’s even more impressive considering that the New Mexico St. game was his worst game by a fair margin.

Hey! I'm tryin' to eat lunch here!

by McGarnagle on Oct 28, 2010 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully this is the year

“tournament Summers” shows up during the regular season. He has been lights out in the past two NCAA tournaments, but has been inconsistent in the regular season. Maybe this year will be the year he brings it all season long, but before anointing a POY candidate I’ll have to see it happen for at least a quarter of the season. Reports from practice have been encouraging, so maybe this will be the year.

by TheCrestedHelm on Oct 29, 2010 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions