Big Ten Basketball: Predicting award winners for 2021-22 season
By Greg Waddell
Defensive Player of the Year – Trent Frazier, Illinois
Frazier is one of two returning players in the conference (along with Ohio State’s Jamari Wheeler) who were named to the all-defense team last year. Frazier’s counting stats on the defensive side won’t necessarily blow you away, but his impact as an on-ball pest was a major part of Illinois’ 7th ranked defense (according to KenPom) last season.
Some of the best guards in the Big Ten struggled in a big way with Frazier as their primary defender. He drew assignments like Minnesota’s Marcus Carr, who shot just 25% from the floor in two games against the Illini last season, and Michigan’s Mike Smith, who scored five points on 2-6 shooting from the field.
With the offensive-minded Andre Curbelo as his backcourt pairing next year, Frazier will once again be asked to guard the opposing team’s best player night in and night out. Paired with Kofi Cockburn inside, Frazier will have a great chance to lead Illinois’ defense to another top-10 ranking, and pick up some individual accolades along the way.