The Big Ten handed out their postseason basketball awards tonight and the nation's top-ranked team did well.
Six members of the Big Ten champion and top-ranked Ohio State men's basketball team were recognized among the 2011 All-Big Ten men's basketball teams and award winners, announced Monday by the conference office. Jared Sullinger was a unanimous pick for Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the coaches and media and garnered first team All-Big Ten honors, while fellow rookie Aaron Craft was named the Sixth Man of the Year by the league coaches.
David Lighty and William Buford were named second team All-Big Ten and Jon Diebler was named to the third team. Additionally, Craft and Lighty both made the All-Defensive Team.
Your Player of the Year honors went to JaJuan Johnson and we have no problem with that. Johnson had a tremendous season, leading the conference in scoring (20.5 for the season) and blocked shots (73 on the year) on the way to also earning the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
Matt Painter was named Coach of the Year, which would be perfect if the award was given to guys that dropped a late game to the league's 10th-best team, blowing a shot at a Big Ten Trophy. Matta, like Tressel, will have to learn to let championships fill in for Coach of the Year awards that will be few and far between.
