Michigan at Indiana: Most important player?

How big is tonight’s No. 1 Michigan-No. 3 Indiana game? Not only is sole possession of first place in the Big Ten on the line, it marks just the fourth time top 3 Big Ten teams have ever met. So, yeah, it’s pretty big. But who will be the most important player on the outcome of the game, and why? I asked the question on Twitter, and you can see Big Ten fans’ responses in this post.

Before I get to the tweets, here’s my answer: Jordan Hulls. The senior figures to be a huge factor on both ends of the floor. On offense, the shartpshooter’s capable of raining 3s and giving Indiana a spark; on defense, the oft-criticized defender could allow Nik Stauskas and the Wolverines to get a bunch of easy looks.

In other words, if Hulls can make a few 3s and stay in the face of his man, Indiana should win.

Here’s what Big Ten fans, including Purdue product Chris Kramer, think:

@BTNBrentYarina Zeller/Watford…can they keep Burke from attacking and finishing or finding shooters off Pick n roll situations?—
Chris Kramer (@C_K_3) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina victor oladipo——> crushing defense and smart offense!!—
rebecca eli (@mamaeli05) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina @BigTenNetwork Victor Oladipo, because its on him to shut down Burke. #IUBB—
Matt Lowry (@Matthew_Lowry) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina Mitch McGary & Jordan Morgan. Both will be guarding Zeller and if they can contain him then Michigan wins the game! #GoBlue—
Cameron Meunier III (@Cam_Newton6) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina
AirDipo, he hustles the most & brings the most intensity towards teammates and the crowd. Our fans are another huge factor.—
iubb (@iubbhoosiers) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina Trey Burke. If he plays right, Michigan is almost unstoppable.—
Joe Hidakatsu (@joehid) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina Olidipo amazing defender and electrifies the crowd—
Ryan Dallow (@r_dallow2) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina Tim Hardaway Jr. Michigan will need a second scoring option and his wing defense will be a huge factor—
Stephen W. (@DetSportsGuy) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina @btnbrentyarina @BigTenNetwork Christian Watford. When he plays big n he does in big games, we r @ another level! HOOSIERS!—
HOOSIER_BB_FAN (@myfavaero) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina yogi, if he can defend Burke half way decent it frees up oladipo—
Hoosiers (@IU2714) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina Trey Burke. If, and when Indiana stops him from scoring he will create opportunities for his teammates. #POY #baller—
Jeremy Vaught (@vaught209) February 02, 2013

@BTNBrentYarina Zeller, Michigan has no answer for him, if he is on.—
Ryan Madden (@maddenry) February 02, 2013

About Brent Yarina

BTN.com web editor Brent Yarina covers football and men’s basketball for BTN.com. He writes the popular uniform feature “Clothes Call,” which also focuses on the latest cosmetic changes across Big Ten arenas and stadiums. Read all of his work here. You can subscribe to Yarina’s RSS feed and follow him on Twitter @BTNBrentYarina.