Dan Siegel continues this multi-part series by mixing and matching attributes of Big Ten basketball players to create the best product. Check out his ACC version as well.
Note: Zach Edey can easily be included for three to four different times but I am intentionally requiring a different player for each category.
Handles: Boo Buie (Northwestern)
Buie has not always been part of nationally ranked teams, which is why his talent has gone under the radar for years. However, that does not take away from how much the 6’2″ point guard has terrorized Big Ten defenses. In a crunch time situation, I want the ball in Buie’s hands.
Passing: Elijah Hawkins (Minnesota)
This choice was not too difficult either. Just look at the Big Ten assists leaderboard and there is one name that stands out. Hawkins’ 7.8 dimes per game is second nationally as well. Minnesota’s three point shooting is significantly better than last year and a lot of credit could be attributed to the opportunities Hawkins creates for his teammates.
Shooting: Jamison Battle (Ohio State)
Shooters shoot. That’s the mentality with Battle, who discussed his expectation to carry the shooting load for Ohio State on CBB Review Courtside this offseason. Now, he leads the Big Ten in both three point attempts (117, 6.9 per game) and efficiency (44.4%).
Shot Creation: Kanye Clary (Penn State)
In a Penn State offense that does not move the ball particularly well, Clary does a bulk of the scoring on his own. While Clarly is currently fifth in the Big Ten in points per game, he shoots off the dribble at one of the most frequent rates in the conference, per Shot Quality data. He is particularly effective with the pull-up mid range but can knock down difficult threes, forcing the defender to make a difficult decision on ball screens.
Transition Offense: Tony Perkins (Iowa)
Fran McCaffery’s best source of offense is to get the ball and run. Iowa takes 30.4% of their field goals (seventh most nationally) in transition and converts at the second highest rate in the Big Ten (59.4% effective field goal percentage). Perkins is the main catalyst of that, with his quickness and ability to move fast but under control.
Post Offense: Zach Edey (Purdue)
No explanation is needed here. I mean, the man may win back-to-back National Player of the Year awards for the first time since Ralph Sampson at Virginia. He put up a casual 30-20 stat line this weekend against Penn State, and nobody even flinched.
Man-to-Man Defense: Ace Baldwin (Penn State)
Baldwin’s defense has certainly transferred over from the A-10 level. As a relatively short guard, he has the ability to bother opposing dribblers from well beyond the three point arc without sacrificing positioning. He leads the Big Ten with 3.0 steals per game.
Rim Protection: Cliff Omoruyi (Rutgers)
Boy, has Rutgers struggled this season, but that is not because of their defense. Omoryuyi continues to swat shots with ease, at, in fact, an even higher rate than last season. With 3.4, he leads the conference by almost an entire bock per game.
Rebounding: Julian Reese (Maryland)
Reese is not a giant but certainly has the ideal athleticism and strength combination. He is also particularly savvy with positioning, which is why nearly a third of his 9.8 rebounds per game occur on the offensive end.
Toughness: Marcus Domask (Illinois)
Although he did not fall in one of the previous categories, the Southern Illinois transfer has emerged as one of the most prolific scorers in the Big Ten. Domask has fully embraced the challenge of leading the Fighting Illini’s offensive attack, with the absence of Terrance Shannon. He is not a lights out three-point shooter but a nightmare to guard in the half court, nonetheless.