Big Ten Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

Key players to watch

Luka Garza – Iowa – 23.9 ppg 9.8 rpg 1.2 apg

Garza has had the kind of season that jumps off the screen. The big man took over this season, becoming the go-to guy for Iowa, and has a shot to win both Big Ten and National Player of the Year. He consistently puts up double-doubles, draws fouls, and dominates the game on both ends. He is the type of player that can take over a game in this tournament and is an absolute force to be reckoned with. If the Hawkeyes want to make noise in March, he is the guy that they will have to rely on.

Jalen Smith – Maryland – 15.5 ppg 10.5 rpg 2.4 bpg

Jalen “Stix” Smith has blossomed right before our eyes. The kid from Baltimore has turned into a shot-blocking, slam-dunking force for the Maryland Terrapins this year. He has completely taken over games against Northwestern and Indiana and has propelled Maryland to a share of the Big Ten title. The 30+ pounds of muscle that he added in the offseason was crucial to his development this year, as he has turned into an interior presence instead of a jump shooter. A projected first-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Smith will have to have a big March to prove himself and lead Maryland to the promise land.

Lamar Stevens – Penn State – 17.6 ppg 6.9 rpg 2.2 apg

Lamar Stevens has waited his entire college career for this moment. His Penn State Nittany Lions were in the running for the Big Ten title in February, before a late slide changed things. Regardless, Stevens’ team is talented and has a chance to make a run in both tournaments, and he is going to have to be the catalyst. He may not take all of the shots, but in late-game situations you expect the ball to be in his hands. For a guy who is in his final season preparing to make a run in both tournaments, he needs to play to his potential and lead his team to some wins.

Cassius Winston – Michigan State – 18.6 ppg 5.9 apg 1.2 spg

Heartbreak for Cassius Winston and the Spartans last season after a loss to Texas Tech in the Final Four has led to the revenge tour that we are witnessing in 2020. The senior guard has become the leader that we have seen glimpses of over his first three seasons, taking the reins of a program that always has the ability to win a championship. The crafty guard has made huge shots and has gotten his team into a position to make another run at a title. If the Spartans are to make a run, look at Winston to be a major reason why.

Anthony Cowan Jr. – Maryland – 16.3 ppg 3.6 rpg 4.7 apg

Another senior guard looking to raise a banner in his final season is Maryland’s Anthony Cowan Jr. The leader for this young Maryland team has done almost everything in his power to get the Terps to where they are today. He has almost single-handedly won games for this team, making huge shots to beat Illinois and Michigan State. Cowan Jr. has become the pulse for this team and has worked as hard as anyone to be in the position that he is in. For the Terps to do some damage in March, he will have to keep up his hot shooting and lead his team to some victories.