Big Ten Basketball: Projecting individual awards and accolades for 2022-23 season

Individual Awards

Sixth Man of the Year – Trey Galloway

The Big Ten Conference introduced the Sixth Man of the Year Award at the end of the 2005-06 season. During the award’s existence only three winners have averaged double digits per game, all three were within the last four years with last season’s winner Trevion Williams averaging the most at 12 points per game. In his second season with Indiana Basketball Trey Galloway averaged fewer than six points per game while playing just less than 21 minutes per game.

Despite Tamar Bates leap-frogging Galloway to get into the starting line-up, as a freshman Bates only out-rebounded Galloway as he averaged six fewer minutes. The play of Galloway will earn him the first spot on the bench and while he may never take the starting position from Bates, he will continue to take minutes off the bench while staying eligible as a sixth man.

Rookie of the Year – Skyy Clark

An argument can be made for all four other members of the All-Freshman Team, the one for Skyy Clark is the opportunity and responsibility. The Fighting Illini will be rebuilding this season and it behooves Brad Underwood to play Clark as much as possible and provide him a long leash. The addition of Terrence Shannon Jr. from Texas Tech and his 83 games of experience will be valuable to support Clark in the backcourt making his transition even easier.

The 1999-00 season was the last time a Rookie of the Year Winner did not average double-digits, a feat Clark will not duplicate for when he is healthy Clark will have numbers in every column of the box score – including turnovers and field goal attempts- as he becomes the Big Ten Rookie of the Year.

Defensive Player of the Year – Caleb McConnell

If you have not guessed it after reading his accomplishments for the All-Defensive Team, let the obvious be stated, Caleb McConnell is going to repeat as the Defensive Player of the Year. His strong defensive play will also benefit from the new focus Head Coach Steve Pikiell will have to implement after the departure of his top two scorers. Rutgers surrendered slightly over 66 points per game in conference play, which was the second-fewest. Rutgers will get their victories on the defensive end and McConnell will be leading them in doing it.

Player of the Year – Trayce Jackson- Davis

He is on the All-Defensive Team as well as the All-Big Ten First Team and Indiana will be challenging for a Big Ten title as well as a top ten ranking in the nation. Even if Jackson-Davis only meets some of the expectations, the former No. 26 ranked freshman will be named the Big Ten Player of the Year in his senior season.

The Hoosiers offense will run through Jackson-Davis, but it will not be dependent on him. With a number of scoring threats surrounding Jackson-Davis, opposing defenses will not be able to solely focus on him. Race Thompson is going to occupy attention in the key and possibly occupy the best post defender, Xavier Johnson will be able to penetrate and draw the help defense while Miller Kopp’s range from behind the arc will at least make defenders think before doubling down.

No player can have a personal best season if they are not surrounded by talented teammates, this season seems to be the coming together of a perfect storm for Jackson-Davis in terms of personal accolades and team success.