Big Ten Men's Basketball Player Of The Year
Introduction
For many college basketball players, winning the Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Year award is a dream come true. This award recognizes the most outstanding player in the Big Ten Conference, one of the most competitive and respected conferences in the NCAA. In this article, we will explore the history of this award, its selection process, and some of the most memorable winners over the years.
History of the Award
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Year award has been presented annually since the 1984-1985 season. The award is voted on by the conference's coaches and media members, and recognizes the player who has had the most outstanding season in the Big Ten.
The award was first given to Illinois' Eddie Johnson, who averaged 22.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game that season. Since then, many of the best players in college basketball have won the award, including NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson.
The Selection Process
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Year award is voted on by the conference's coaches and media members. Each coach and media member submits a ballot with their top three choices for the award, and the player with the most votes wins. In the case of a tie, the award is shared between the tied players.
The award is typically presented at the end of the Big Ten regular season, which runs from late November to early March. This timing allows for the award to be given before the start of the NCAA Tournament, which is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans.
Memorable Winners
Over the years, many of the best college basketball players in the country have won the Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Year award. Some of the most memorable winners include:
- Michael Jordan (1984-1985): Jordan won the award in his final season at the University of North Carolina, leading the conference in scoring with 20.0 points per game.
- Glen Rice (1988-1989): Rice led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship in 1989, averaging 25.6 points per game and winning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
- Evan Turner (2009-2010): Turner was a do-it-all guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes, averaging 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in his award-winning season.
- Trey Burke (2012-2013): Burke led the Michigan Wolverines to the NCAA championship game in 2013, averaging 18.6 points and 6.7 assists per game in the process.
Recent Winners
Here are some of the most recent winners of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Year award:
- Luka Garza (2019-2020): Garza became the first Iowa Hawkeyes player to win the award since 1952, averaging 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
- Cassius Winston (2018-2019): Winston led the Michigan State Spartans to the Final Four in 2019, averaging 18.8 points and 7.5 assists per game in his award-winning season.
- Keita Bates-Diop (2017-2018): Bates-Diop led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2018, averaging 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
Conclusion
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors in college basketball. It recognizes the most outstanding player in one of the most respected conferences in the NCAA. Over the years, many of the best college basketball players in the country have won this award, and we can't wait to see who will win it next.
