Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Ohio State has void at PG following DJ Carton’s departure

By Daniel Benjamin

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes brings the ball up the court in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during the second half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes brings the ball up the court in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during the second half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Trey McGowens #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers   (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Trey McGowens #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers   (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Illinois pursuing Carton and McGowens

Illinois closed the 2019-20 campaign by winning five of its last six games to finish ranked 21st in the AP poll with a 21-10 record, which marked the Illini’s best season under third-year coach Brad Underwood as well as their most wins since 2012-13. They also were fourth in the Big Ten at 13-4, both of which were the program’s best mark in a decade.

Illinois is reportedly interested in DJ Carton and Trey McGowens. The Illini don’t currently need to add anyone as they 13 players on scholarship for next year. In addition, they have a Verbal commitment from four-star combo guard Adam Miller. However, Underwood knows that the Illini could also lose Ayo Dosunmo and Kofi Cockburn to the NBA draft.  BothCarton and McGowens will have to sit out the upcoming season.

Minnesota offers transfer Morris Udeze a scholarship

The Minnesota Golden Gophers offered Wichita State transfer Morris Udeze a scholarship on March 20. Udeze showed improvement in his second season with the Shockers as he was very effective around the rim, producing 1.58 points per shot and an effective field goal percentage of 61%. The 6-8 center averaged 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11 minutes of action mainly as a reserve off the bench though he did start five contests. Udeze, who will have to sit out the 2020-21 campaign, has also heard from Arizona State, Minnesota, New Mexico State, Butler, Seton Hall, South Carolina, and Boise State, per Jeff Borzello of ESPN.

Three Big Ten players named to the AP’s All-American teams

Three players from the Big Ten Conference were among the 15 players selected to the 2019-2020 AP All-American team. Iowa’s Luka Garza was selected to the first team while Michigan State’s Cassius Stanley was tabbed for the second team, and Maryland’s Jalen Smith was a third-team choice.

Garza became the third Hawkeye player named AP First-Team All-Americans along with Murray Wier (1948) and Charles Darling (1952). The 6-11 junior center set an Iowa program record with 740 points and 305 records and became just the third player in conference history to ever record more than 740 points and 300 rebounds. He has been named the Sporting News, Basketball Times, Stadium, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and ESPN National Player of the Year.

Stanley is on the AP All-American team for the second straight year — he was a first-team selection last season — joining Mateen Cleaves,   Shawn Respert, Steve Smith, Magic Johnson, and Johnny Green as Spartans who have garnered the honor multiple times. Winston averaged 18.6 points, 5.9 assists, 2 .5 rebounds and 1.2 steals this past season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 43.2% from 3-point range, and 85.2% from the free-throw line. He passed Cleaves as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in assists (894) and ranked sixth in MSU history all-time in scoring  (1,969).

dark. Next. Final Big Ten power rankings for 2019-20

Smith is the first Terp to be named to the AP All-America men’s basketball team since Greivis Vasquez in 2010. The 6-10 sophomore center averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8  blocks. He also shot 53.8% from the field, 36.8% on 3-point attempts, and 75% from the charity stripe.  additionally, Smith compiled the third most double-doubles in the country.

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