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All-Big Ten Basketball Predictions for 2015-16

By Brandon Austin

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Dec 30, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

We are just weeks away from the tipoff of the 2015-16 college basketball season. The Baltimore Wire already released its preseason Big Ten power rankings.

Maryland point guard Melo Trimble has been the consensus pick for Big Ten Player of the Year. Here’s who else will make the cut for the All-Big Ten basketball teams in the 2015-16 season.

First Team:

G Melo Trimble, Maryland

G Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

G/F Denzel Valentine, Michigan State

F Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin

C A.J. Hammons, Purdue

On Trimble: People knew Trimble was good coming out of high school, but who knew he’d be this good. As a freshman, he averaged over 16 points per game, earning him All-Big Ten honors. Trimble is projected to be the Big Ten Player of the Year. That is very attainable, and so too is overall Player of the Year if he can lead the Terps to the Final Four.

On Valentine: The Spartans have lost a couple key veterans and Valentine will have to shoulder a lot of the burden in his senior year. He gets better year after year and Tom Izzo will need him now more than ever before. Don’t be surprised if he averages close to 18 points per game this season.

Second Team: 

Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard James Blackmon Jr. (1) drives to the basket against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

G James Blackmon Jr., Indiana

G Caris LeVert, Michigan

G Shavon Shields, Nebraska

F Jake Layman, Maryland

F Robert Carter, Maryland

On Blackmon: Blackmon is as gifted a scorer as there is in college basketball. He and Ferrell are arguably the best backcourt in the country. If Indiana is going to make some serious noise this season, it will be because Blackmon takes his game to the next level. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine him giving Trimble a run for his money for POY.

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On Layman: This is a huge season for Layman. He decided to return to College Park for his senior season due to a falling draft stock. He has an opportunity to change that on a very talented Maryland team. Layman must step up and play like someone who has his sights set on the next level.

Third Team:

G Bronson Koenig, Wisconsin

G/F Jae’Sean Tate, Ohio State

F Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa

F Troy Williams, Indiana

C Diamond Stone, Maryland

On Koenig: With Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker gone, Koenig’s role increases significantly. He’s not a flashy player. He’s not as athletic as some of the other names on this list. But, he is one heck of a basketball player. With his shooting prowess and ability to create his own shot, he could easily make his way up this list.

On Stone: Stone is the only freshman on this list. There is some speculation as to whether or not the big man will begin the season as a starter, but even if he doesn’t, it’s hard to imagine him not being one at some point along the way. Stone is a future NBA player and he’ll give the nation a glimpse of his skills this season.

Next: Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings

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