Jess Settles, BTN men's basketball analyst, November 28, 2016
There's a new No. 1 atop my latest Big Ten Player Rankings.
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He's Purdue sophomore Caleb Swanigan, and he takes over the top spot from Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes, who was No. 1 in my first three lists.
See my latest players rankings below.
1. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue. For many Big Ten stars, it was a rough week. For Biggie Swanigan, it was a perfect week. Literally. The sophomore was 6-of-6 from the field and 10-of-10 from the line against NJIT after being named MVP of the Cancun Challenge.
Last week: 2
2. Peter Jok, Iowa. Jok is on fire. How hot, exactly? He's shooting 53 percent from beyond the arc, after draining 8-of-11 treys en route to his efficient 42-point effort in a loss to Memphis on Sunday.
Last week: 4
3. Thomas Bryant, Indiana. Bryant scored 13 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and swatted 3 shots in Indiana's victory over Mississippi Valley State. His 18-point, 12 rebound effort wasn't enough in Indiana's humbling loss at Fort Wayne.
Last week: 3
4. Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin. Hayes, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, is struggling with his shot. Seven games in, he's shooting 41 percent from the field, including 29 percent from downtown.
Last week: 1
5. Melo Trimble, Maryland. Another game-winner for Trimble, this one against Kansas State, as undefeated Maryland (7-0) continues to ride the junior and his late-game heroics.
Last week: 5
6. Ethan Happ, Wisconsin. The versatile center is shooting 66 percent and averaging 11.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals against tough competition.
Last week: 9
7. OG Anunoby, Indiana. Anunoby needs an All-American level performance against No. 3 North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Last time out, he scored a career high 21 points, including 3-5 from distance.
Last week: 8
8. Malcolm Hill, Illinois. Hill, who made only two shots in Illinois' blowout loss to West Virginia, is shooting 34 percent in five games since his 40-point effort. He's still rebounding, though, averaging 6.2 boards during the slump.
Last week: 6
9. Miles Bridges, Michigan State. No. 5 Duke awaits on Tuesday, and all eyes will be on Bridges. The star freshman was impressive with 21 points in Michigan State's quality win over gritty Wichita State.
Last week: 10
10. James Blackmon Jr., Indiana. Blackmon sat out Indiana's win against Mississippi Valley State with a minor injury, but is expected to play a big roll in Indiana's must-see matchup vs. No. 3 North Carolina.
Last week: 7