ESPN: Trey Burke: Wooden Watch (#4), Matchup Nightmare (#2)
LINK (Wooden Watch)
1. Mason Plumlee, Duke
2. Doug McDermott, Creighton
3. Michael Carter - Williams, Syracuse
Our own Trey Burke comes in at #4
Trey Burke, Michigan -- The No. 2-ranked Wolverines would be merely average if not for Burke, whose 18 points and seven assists per game have helped keep Michigan undefeated. Burke shoots 53.5 percent from the field and combines with Tim Hardaway Jr. (15.7 points) to form arguably the nation’s top backcourt.
5. Jeff Withey, Kansas
Big Ten Players on the cusp of top 5:
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State
Cody Zeller, Indiana
LINK ($$$) (Matchup Nightmares)
He comes in at #2, just behind Russ Smith, Louisville
Burke sets the tone and pace for the Michigan offense and defense. He brings the ball in transition at warp speed, and his ability to stop on a dime and change speed and direction makes him tough to keep out of the lane.
December 20th, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
Merely average?
December 20th, 2012 at 3:01 PM ^
Perhaps average in the big10. I could see that, but I think we could still be a tourney team with increased rolls for our bigs, etc. but as it is written, I agree with you...I don't think we would be merely average overall. Also, it's kind of a dumb statement in general...if you take McDermott off of creighton they will suck, etc.
December 20th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
I'm not sure extra rolls will help our big men put on good weight.
/s
December 20th, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^
haha damn autocorrect from mobile...I do enjoy the typo.
December 20th, 2012 at 1:51 PM ^
Oladipo is also a B1G player on the cusp, FYI.
December 20th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^
Thanks. I remember seeing that now and being surprised he was on the list
December 20th, 2012 at 2:26 PM ^
Those few extra assists per game are what's putting Carter-Williams ahead of Trey? I've only see 'Cuse play once and a few highlights (for what it's worth I was impressed and think they are a very, very good team this year) so I can't discount him. Yes, he averages a double double and maybe that statistic puts him above Trey Burke, but Trey seems to be a better scorer and I'll take that and his GREAT Assist:Turnover margin.
December 20th, 2012 at 4:39 PM ^
I don't think it would be ludicrous to take Burke in a hypothetical head-to-head against Carter-Williams, but C-W is playing nutso good basketball right now. Can't argue with him at #1.
December 20th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^
Burke is the man.
December 20th, 2012 at 4:48 PM ^
Burke is very good but I wouldn't consider him a match-up nightmare. A match-up nightmare is someone who is too quick for bigger players at his position and too big for smaller players at his position. Deshaun Thomas comes to mind.