The Big Ten all freshman team was all 4's and 5's because the guards and wings were experienced, especially for the top teams. Go right down the list of the best teams
Michigan State - Things got better when Valentine(Sr) handled the ball more with Forbes and Harris who were experienced players
Purdue - Raphael Davis(Sr) was very experienced
Iowa - senior guards Gesell and Clemmons
Indiana - senior guard Yogi Ferrell
Maryland - Trimble and Sulaimon though they struggled at times.
Wisconsin - Koenig is pretty experienced for a young player. Nigel Hayes isnt a guard but he helped out quite a bit, especially when they struggled earlier in the season.
There are a lot of talented players these guys played with that helped with the success... Also this was oppositie if what we saw in the Final Four last year as Koenig and Tyus Jones were really young guards in the national championship game...But, overall, when teams get in trouble during the grind of the Big Ten season, they have to go to their guards to dictate the tempo of the game.. When it gets to a halfcourt game, that becomes even more critical.. Just think it is an interesting point especially when we see play in today's style of basketball. Minnesota probably had the least experience at guard during this season and that showed...Teams still lose with experienced guards but MOST YEARS in the Big Ten, you will need that experienced guard play to win and this year was a great example.
Michigan State - Things got better when Valentine(Sr) handled the ball more with Forbes and Harris who were experienced players
Purdue - Raphael Davis(Sr) was very experienced
Iowa - senior guards Gesell and Clemmons
Indiana - senior guard Yogi Ferrell
Maryland - Trimble and Sulaimon though they struggled at times.
Wisconsin - Koenig is pretty experienced for a young player. Nigel Hayes isnt a guard but he helped out quite a bit, especially when they struggled earlier in the season.
There are a lot of talented players these guys played with that helped with the success... Also this was oppositie if what we saw in the Final Four last year as Koenig and Tyus Jones were really young guards in the national championship game...But, overall, when teams get in trouble during the grind of the Big Ten season, they have to go to their guards to dictate the tempo of the game.. When it gets to a halfcourt game, that becomes even more critical.. Just think it is an interesting point especially when we see play in today's style of basketball. Minnesota probably had the least experience at guard during this season and that showed...Teams still lose with experienced guards but MOST YEARS in the Big Ten, you will need that experienced guard play to win and this year was a great example.
