SECAUCUS, NJ, Jan. 23, 2008 -- The Big Ten Conference has been home to college basketball action for more than 100 years. The peach baskets have long been replaced by metal rims and the conference has expanded to eleven teams (though it kept its original name), but the Big Ten keeps sending quality talent to the professional ranks. So, without further ado, we present the current All-NBA Big Ten team.
Deron Williams and Michael Redd provide a nice one-two combo in the backcourt and they will have plenty of shooting help off the bench. Devin Harris, Michael Finley, and Jamal Crawford can all come in with the ability to light it up from downtown. Jason Richardson usually plays the two but he’s too talented to keep off the floor. Ricky Davis would see time as a more traditional small forward who not only can shoot from deep but who might be able to match J-Rich in athleticism.
Brad Miller's deft passing touch would have his team of gunners loving him but the front court thins out after the former Boilermaker. Joel Przybilla will have to crash the boards and protect the paint for his front court partners who aren’t known for their shot blocking prowess.
Despite the Big Ten being consistently one of the most defensive minded conferences in the NCAA, this team would come out firing. Luckily the father of the high octane offense, Don Nelson, would be running the show so there should be plenty of shots to go around. This team might lack the star power of the ACC or the Big East but if Nellie stashes Greg Oden on the inactive list and Mike Conley in the D-League then the future should be bright for the Big 10 NBA All-Stars.
Check out Dave McMenamin's Big East team and John Schuhmann's ACC squad. The Big Ten ballers would put up some points and Nellie would throw some intriguing four-guard lineups on the floor but in the end the lack of size in the paint would be their downfall against these two rival conferences.
Big Ten Starting Five
(with career stats)
|
PG Deron Williams, Illinois -- Utah Jazz |
|
| PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
| 14.7 |
2.9 |
7.4 |
0.9 |
0.2 |
.459 |
.370 |
.759 |
|
Résumé: 2005-06 NBA All-Rookie First Team
Before Deron Williams was running the pick-and-roll in Utah, he was leading Illinois to the NCAA Championship game in 2005. In his second year, he led the Jazz to the Conference Finals averaging 19.2 points and 8.6 assists over the course of the playoffs. Judging by his performance thus far this season, Williams should be one of the top point guards in the league for the next decade.
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SG Michael Redd, Ohio State -- Milwaukee Bucks |
|
| PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
| 20.3 |
4.2 |
2.2 |
1.0 |
0.1 |
.452 |
.390 |
.851 |
|
Résumé: 2004 NBA All-Star, 2004 All-NBA Third Team
Despite averaging 21.9 points a game and being named First Team All-American at Ohio State, Michael Redd wasn’t picked until late in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft. Seven years later, Redd has emerged as the best player from that draft class. His shooting exploits this summer helped Team USA qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
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SF Jason Richardson, Michigan State -- Charlotte Bobcats |
|
| PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
| 18.4 |
5.4 |
3.2 |
1.2 |
0.4 |
.433 |
.360 |
.693 |
|
Résumé: Slam Dunk Champion (2002, 2003)
Jason Richardson teamed with Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell, and Morris Peterson at Michigan State to win the 2000 NCAA Championship in his freshman season. He led the team in scoring the next year when they returned to the Final Four. J-Rich earned a reputation as a high flyer for winning back-to-back slam dunk contests but a career year from long range proves he’s more than just a dunker.
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PF Zach Randolph, Michigan State -- New York Knicks |
|
| PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
| 16.1 |
7.9 |
1.6 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
.465 |
.264 |
.773 |
|
Résumé: NBA Most Improved Player (2003-04)
Zach Randolph teamed with Richardson for his lone year at Michigan State before heading to the League. After seeing little burn in his first two years in Portland, he broke out with a 20-10 career year in 03-04 and never looked back. Few other power forwards boast as sweet a shooting stroke as Z-Bo.
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C Brad Miller, Purdue -- Sacramento Kings |
|
| PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
| 12.1 |
7.7 |
2.9 |
0.8 |
0.7 |
.489 |
.303 |
.798 |
|
Résumé: 2-time NBA All-Star
Brad Miller is one of only five players to ever make an All-Star team after going undrafted. This former Purdue standout may never lead the league in rebounding or blocked shots but he’s one of the best passing centers of all-time and his deadly jumpshot extends into 3-point range.
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| INACTIVE LIST |
| Name |
Pos. |
School |
NBA Team |
| Greg Oden |
C |
Ohio State |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
Head Coach Don Nelson, Iowa -- Golden State Warriors |
|
| Career coaching record -- 1257-938 (.573) |
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Résumé: Ranks second all-time in coaching wins, three-time NBA Coach of the Year
Don Nelson beat out six other active NBA head coaches who come from Big 10 schools. It’s nothing against Flip Saunders (Minnesota), Sam Vincent (Michigan State), or a quartet of Hoosiers (Lawrence Frank, Mike Woodson, Randy Wittman, and Isiah Thomas) but Nelson is a living legend. He’s second all-time in wins behind Lenny Wilkens and he’s a 3-time NBA Coach of the Year. A true innovator, he pioneered such tactics as Hack-a-Shaq, the point-forward, and Nellie Ball, his patented run-and-gun offense.
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