Player of Year ...
Cory Bradford, G, Illinois
In two seasons, he's already learned how to be both a shooting guard and point guard. He seems comfortable at either, and he understands what needs to be done in Bill Self's new system. Self will allow him to play his style and have the team play around him.

Introducing ...
Zach Randolph, C, Michigan State
Randolph did well this summer. He won a state championship, beating Jared Jeffries' team from Bloomington and out-playing Jeffries in the process. He was the star at the Hoops Summit and was the MVP in almost every game he played. He's a very capable player, and will be the Spartans' inside presence. He rebounds the ball very well, he's got very soft hands and is a real tough competitor.

Michigan State's Jason Richardson had an interesting summer. After he played with Jim Boeheim in Argentina, I saw him play with the U.S. Select team against the U.S. Olympic team. He shot the lights out. If he shoots the ball at all, he'll be tough to stop. Randolph might be the newcomer of the year, but this season could be a coming out party for Richardson.

Best backcourt ...
Illinois: Cory Bradford and Frank Williams. Williams is a very talented player. If he buys into Self's program, he'll be hard to play against. He's learning how to play point guard and another year has probably helped him tremendously. Bradford is my Big Ten player of the year. He's a catch-and-shoot kind of guy, but he can score. They are both good defenders.

Best frontcourt ...
Illinois: Brian Cook, Marcus Griffin and Sergio McLain. Griffin and McLain played at Peoria Manuel together, where they were part of championship teams -- so they obviously play well together. Cook, meanwhile, is on many people's short list for the Big Ten player of the year.

Team on way up ...
Iowa: Steve Alford should be warmed up now in his second year. He struggled a bit last year, but with Luke Recker coming in, they'll have to be looked at as an up-and-comer. The Hawkeyes might sneak into the NCAA tourney.

Team on way down ...
Indiana: To say the Hoosiers are on their way down might be a bit strong, but Indiana is in serious transition. Losing a Hall of Fame coach is tough under any circumstances, but the way coach Bob Knight went out makes the situation at Indiana even more tenuous. Jared Jeffries might be one of the best young players in the country, but overall, the Hoosiers are teetering on the edge.

Tournament tough ...
NCAA: Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana.
NIT: Michigan, Purdue, Penn State.