Hoopraker

Throughout the Midwest, frigid Fahrenheit readings belie the sweat infused basketball played from Williams Arena to Assembly Hall (IN).  From these January games, in both victory and defeat, come players deserving of a nod of the head and tip of the cap.  Evident from their marked development as players and teammates, they toiled in the bowels weight rooms and gyms during the Summer’s heat, motivated by pride more than the prospect of leading their teams to the Final Four. 

Liberated By Lickliter

Perhaps the most unexpected emergence in the Big Ten, Tony Freeman has exploded into a confident scorer in just ten games.  Hit with a bum foot to start the season, the junior point guard is clearly liberated from his dad’s former IU teammate who’s now chasing tumbleweed in New Mexico.  

Coming to Iowa from St. Joseph’s in Chicago, alma mater of current Knick charlatan Isiah Thomas, Darryl Thomas, Demtri McCamey, and William Gates among many others, Freeman looked lost and struggled for two years.  After averaging a modest 7.5 ppg as a sophomore, Freeman has turned into 16 pg scorer, including 28 last weekend against Michigan.  Lickliter has repaired Freeman’s confidence and in turn, Freeman has responded.  At this point in the season, not many players in the conference are more important to their team than Freeman. 

Don’t Call Him Courtney

While Michigan reinvents itself under first year coach John Beilien, one player has been the teacher’s quick study.  DeShawn Sims has evolved from raw post player to a complete Big Ten inside-outside threat. With so much being asked of him in Beilein’s rebuilding project, Sims has become the team’s best shooter, averaging 14 points after averaging a mere 3 ppg and not hitting one three all of last season.  Sims’ transformation is all the more impressive when one considers Michigan was left in ruins by Tommy Amaker.

Along with Sims, Manny Harris gives Michigan two legitimate options on offense.  Evident from last night’s effort, Michigan has the look of team ready to deal an unexpected Buster Douglas uppercut to a conference leader.  At some point, Michigan will start reacting with regularity rather than thinking, and when that happens, talent deprived or not, the Wolverines will be a difficult take down. 

Reload in Dane County

No press release needed, Bo Ryan is a great college coach.  The accomplishments and play of this year’s model of Badger basketball give comfort to souls of purists.  Like Purdue, they are balanced, disciplined and strong defensively.  At its core, Wisconsin basketball is team basketball and its catalyst is diminutive sophomore point guard Trevon Hughes.  

With the matriculation of Kammron Taylor and Alando Tucker, Hughes has emerged as few would have anticipated.   One year after limited playing time, Hughes averages 14 points and runs the Wisconsin Swing offense efficiently, getting everyone the ball, from Joe Krabbenhoft and Marcus Landry to Brian Butch and Mike Flowers. Because of Hughes, Wisconsin is better than it’s been since the teams of Mike Wilkinson and Devin Harris.     

A Marksman Grant

As a freshman last season, with little expected of him offensively, Keaton Grant excelled as an on the ball defender.  After a summer shooting 500 jumpers every other day, Grant is a now confident jump shooter.  Averaging 4 points as a frosh, Grant now contributes strong defense and 12 points, including 20 plus in his last three games.  If Purdue has a go-to offensive player, it’s Grant.

Matt Painter expects his Boilermakers to get better with each game and, although dominated by underclassmen, they have not disappointed.  Purdue is smart, balanced and tough.  A great game looms on Saturday against Wisconsin.      

Posted by TD Lawlor on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm.