Big Ten Basketball: Top 10 Player of the Year candidates for 2021-22 season
For the past couple of years, there has been no question as to who the best player and Big Ten Basketball Player of the Year was. It was Luka Garza, the prolific scoring forward for the Iowa Hawkeyes that became a national star in the past couple of seasons, averaging around 24 ppg.
Garza not only won the 2021 National Player of the Year Award but he also won the Big Ten Award in back-to-back years as well. But now that he’s off to the NBA, the award is finally wide open for the players in this current season. And so far, there are several true contenders for the individual top conference prize, with some averaging over 20 ppg, while others playing leading roles in their respective teams currently overachieving.
Since there isn’t a clear-cut frontrunner for the award, I’ll be taking a look at who the contenders are and their chances at winning Big Ten Basketball Player of the Year. Here are is my top-10 list, along with a couple of honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
F Pete Nance – Northwestern Wildcats
2021-22 stats: 16.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.9 apg
It was thought that the Wildcats would be led by its guards this season but so far, it’s been Nance that has been the MVP of the team. The 6’10 forward has been consistently good as well, scoring in double figures in every single game, including a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds against High Point.
F Gabe Brown – Michigan State Spartans
2021-22 stats: 14.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg
On a team that lacks a true “star” on the roster, the 6’7 senior has been the closest thing to it, leading the Spartans in scoring while becoming their most consistent offensive threat, scoring 9+ points in each game. Brown also is their best three-point shooter as well, making a career-high 40% from deep on 81 attempts.
G Alfonso Plummer – Illinois Fighting Illini
2021-22 stats: 17.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg
With Ayo Dosunmu off to the pros and starting point guard Andre Curbelo hurt, it was the Utah transfer that stepped up and kept Illinois afloat. He’s done more than that, as Plummer has gone on a stretch of 19+ points in seven straight games, including a career-high 30 against Texas-Rio Grande Valley. The efficiency numbers have been the biggest surprise, as the 6’1 guard’s shooting splits are 50-48-97. If it wasn’t for a certain teammate, Plummer would be getting some POY consideration as well.