Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, October 31, 2013
The city of Chicago was filled with college basketball's best on Thursday as the top players and coaches from around the Big Ten gathered at the annual Big Ten Media Day. It was a chance to ask some out-of-the-norm questions and find out who really are the best personalities around the Big Ten.
I conducted a Big Ten poll, asking one player from every team a series of five questions. See what they had to say here in this post.
Editors note: Player responses are anonymous. Players could not use their teammates/stadium/city/uniform/coach in their answers.
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1. What is the toughest Big Ten road venue?
5: Indiana
4: Michigan State
1: Wisconsin
1: Ohio State
1: Purdue
Winner: Indiana
Sample response: "Indiana because it's always a packed house. Their fans are always loud and will say just about anything to us to try to mess us up. They're just ruthless."
2. Best Big Ten uniform?
4: Michigan State
4: Ohio State
2: Michigan
1: Illinois
1: Minnesota
Winner: Michigan State and Ohio State
Sample response: "I liked those Michigan uniforms when they wore the all yellow. Those yellow shoes and socks. Those were fly."
3. Favorite Big Ten road trip?
5: Minnesota
3: Indiana
2: Ohio State
1: Wisconsin
1: Michigan
Winner: Minnesota
Sample response: "I love going to Minnesota. I love that mall. We stay right downtown so we see the big city and I like their campus a lot."
4. Toughest Big Ten player to play against?
4: Aaron Craft, Ohio State
4: Adreian Payne, Michigan State
2: Gary Harris, Michigan State
1; Mitch McGary, Michigan
1: Tracy Abrams, Illinois
Winner: Aaron Craft and Adreian Payne
Sample response: "Aaron Craft. He's a tough competitor. He gives it his all every time he goes out there on the floor. You always know you're going to get his best. It's fun to compete against him."
5. Big Ten coach you would like to play for?
6: Tom Izzo, Michigan State
2: Tom Crean, Indiana
2: John Beilein, Michigan
1: Thad Matta, Ohio State
1: Matt Painter, Purdue
Winner: Tom Izzo
Sample response: "I like Tom Izzo. His teams are always physical and I feel like he's a big part of that and the way they play."
About Sean Merriman | BTN.com web editor Sean Merriman covers football and men's basketball and provides original content for BTN.com. You can follow him on Twitter @BTNSean. |