Big Ten: 5 Favorites For Conference Player Of The Year

Jan 25, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) drives through Ohio State Buckeyes guard

(3) at Value City Arena. Ohio State won the game 82-70. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

3. Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

Stats: 16.0 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 44.6% FG, 43.6% 3PT

A quick glance at the stats Kevin Ferrell (more affectionately known as Yogi) would lead you to believe he’s having a worse year this year than last.

Good thing we don’t judge on quick glances.

Ferell is, in fact, having a better season than last. He’s a better leader, as we detailed earlier in the season, he’s more composed, and more importantly for the Hoosiers’ success, he’s more clutch. Fans most recently saw his big-game performance against Maryland when the junior point guard rained in seven of eight three-pointers en route to a blowout victory.

Statistically, Ferrell doesn’t have great numbers, or at least elite numbers like other players on this list. However, his impact is as strong or greater than most. For an IU squad that is overachieving, Ferrell is their leader their best player. That goes a long way in moving up the rankings for the conference’s best player and it’s what separates someone like Newbill from Ferrell.

Despite IU having lost five games this year, it’s certainly been at no fault of Ferrell’s. In those five games, he averages exactly 22 points a game, six points more than his season average. In fact, his three best games from a scoring perspective have been in losses, and they haven’t been because of him. In all three contests, it was Ferrell who kept the Hoosiers alive, most notably with his huge threes late against Georgetown to force overtime in Madison Square Garden.

Next: D'Angelo Russell