Big Ten Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 12, 2023

Mar 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) posts up against Michigan State Spartans guard/forward Branden Dawson (22) and guard Denzel Valentine (45) during the first half in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

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Big Ten Basketball Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

23. E. J. Liddell

Among the Top 50 recruits back in 2019, Liddell is a 6’7 forward originally from Belleville, Illinois who went a few states east to star at Ohio State. One of Chris Holtmann’s prized recruits, he’d play three seasons for the Buckeyes and make significant contributions in the backcourt for the program.

Liddell showed promise as he came off the bench as a freshman, but really got his chance in his sophomore season after the pandemic. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds, becoming the leading rebounder for a Buckeyes squad that earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. In his third and final collegiate campaign, Liddell was good for 19.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He had a 34-point outing against Northwestern and had a slew of double-doubles late in his career.

Twice named First Team All-Big Ten, Liddell emerged as one of the best frontcourt pieces in the league, albeit a league with no shortage of talent at that position. He was the best shot blocker and one of the best rebounders by the end of his career, earning a spot on the conference’s All-Defense team as a junior. Ohio State didn’t have the postseason success with Liddell in the lineup, but they were a great team and his anchor at the back end was a major reason.

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