Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, April 10, 2012
The deadline for college basketball players to decide whether they're coming back to school or entering the 2012 NBA Draft was Tuesday. Here's what we know: Meyers Leonard and Jared Sullinger are gone, while Trey Burke, Deshaun Thomas and Christian Watford are back after testing the NBA waters. A lot of things will change before the season tips in November, but BTN.com's Brent Yarina offers some super-early 2012-13 predictions. See all of them in this post.
2012-13 PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Indiana – The entire starting 5 is back, plus IU welcomes one of the nation's top recruiting classes.
2. Michigan – Trey Burke's return makes Michigan a national contender — leadership is lone issue.
3. Ohio State – Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft could become one of the Big Ten's elite duos.
4. Minnesota – Trevor Mbakwe joins a talented and underrated roster that clicked down the stretch.
5. Wisconsin – The Badgers know how to replace star players, and history says they'll do it again.
6. Michigan State – How will MSU replace Draymond Green and will Branden Dawson be ready?
7. Iowa – Aaron White and Devyn Marble headline one of the Big Ten's most exciting teams.
8. Purdue – Without a proven big man or facilitator, the incoming recruits must produce right away.
9. Northwestern – Drew Crawford will fill it up, but the team will miss suspended JerShon Cobb.
10. Illinois – Brandon Paul headlines an under-performing team that is hard to figure.
11. Penn State – Tim Frazier will do it all, however PSU needs Jermaine Marshall to take next step.
12. Nebraska – The Huskers must replace five of their top six scorers, plus two best defenders.
2012-13 ALL-BIG TEN TEAMS
First Team
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Trey Burke, Michigan
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Second Team
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Dre Hollins, Minnesota
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
Aaron White, Iowa
Third Team
Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Keith Appling, Michigan State*
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan
Ryan Evans, Wisconsin
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin
Honorable Mention
Dave Sobolewski, Northwestern
Terone Johnson, Purdue
Devyn Marble, Iowa
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Adreian Payne, Michigan State
All-Defensive Team
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Keith Appling, Michigan State
Rodney Williams, Minnesota
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin
* — Appling was added since article was first posted in April.
Player of the Year: Cody Zeller, Indiana
Freshman of the Year: Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Most Improved Player: Dre Hollins, Minnesota
INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS
Scoring
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Dark horse: Jermaine Marshall, Penn State
Rebounds
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota
Ryan Evans, Wisconsin
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Aaron White, Iowa
Christian Watford, Indiana
Dark horse: Branden Dawson, Michigan State
Blocks
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Rodney Williams, Minnesota
Adreian Payne, Michigan State
Dark horse: Sam Thompson, Ohio State
Assists
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Dave Sobolewski, Northwestern
Trey Burke, Michigan
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Dark horse: Josh Gasser, Wisconsin
Steals
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Rodney Williams, Minnesota
Dark horse: Austin Hollins, Minnesota
3-pointers
D.J. Byrd, Purdue
Jordan Hulls, Indiana
D.J. Richardson, Illinois
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
Ben Brust, Wisconsin
Dark horse: Josh Oglesby, Iowa
Brent Yarina is a web editor and blogger for BTN.com. Find all of his work here and follow him on twitter at @BTNBrentYarina.