Quotes from Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Ohio State sophomore Jantel Lavender was selected as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year by the conference coaches and a panel of media members, the Big Ten Conference announced on Sunday. Lavender's Buckeyes were selected to finish first in conference by the media, while the coaches voted Purdue at the top of the preseason rankings.
Lavender became the first player in Big Ten men's or women's basketball history to be named conference Player of the Year as a freshman last season when she was given the nod by the conference coaches. The 6-4 center became the first freshman in history to lead the Big Ten in rebounding, averaging 9.7 boards per conference contest. Lavender also finished the 18-game slate with 17.8 points per contest, finishing third in the Big Ten.
Led by the sophomore center, Ohio State was selected by a panel of conference media members to earn its fifth consecutive Big Ten title. The Buckeyes were Big Ten Co-Champions in 2007-08, finishing 13-5 in conference and 22-9 overall, earning their sixth consecutive berth into the NCAA Championship. Ohio State looks to become the first team since the 1983-87 Buckeyes to win at least a share of five consecutive Big Ten titles.
The conference coaches selected Purdue to take this year's conference title as the Boilermakers return four starters from last season, plus seniors Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton and Jodi Howell, who started for Purdue in 2006-07 but missed 2007-08 due to injury. Wisdom-Hylton was an honorable mention All-American and the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and is a member of this year's Preseason All-Big Ten team. The Boilermakers finished last season 11-7 in conference and 19-15 overall, earning their 15th consecutive trip to the NCAA Championship after winning their second straight Big Ten Tournament title.
Michigan State was tabbed as the No. 3 finisher in both the coaches and media polls after finishing last season with a Big Ten-best 23 wins. First-year head coach Suzy Merchant became just the second mentor in Spartan men's or women's history to win 20 games in her first season after she guided MSU to the championship final of the Postseason WNIT. Michigan State welcomes back all five starters from a year ago, including Preseason All-Big Ten honoree Allyssa DeHaan, who is on pace to become the most prolific shot blocker in Big Ten and NCAA history.
Joining Lavender, Wisdom-Hylton and DeHaan on the Preseason All-Big Ten teams are Illinois junior Jenna Smith and Minnesota senior Emily Fox. Both were first-team All-Big Ten selections a season ago.
The complete results of the coaches and media preseason polls and All-Conference teams can be found below.
PRESEASON COACHES POLL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Purdue 1. Ohio State
2. Ohio State 2. Purdue
3. Michigan State 3. Michigan State
4. Iowa 4. Minnesota
5. Minnesota 5. Iowa
6. Michigan 6. Illinois
7. Illinois 7. Indiana
8. Indiana 8. Michigan
9. Penn State 9. Penn State
10. Wisconsin 10. Wisconsin
11. Northwestern 11. Northwestern
PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN COACHES TEAM
Jenna Smith, Jr., F, ILL
Allyssa DeHaan, Jr., C, MSU
Emily Fox, Sr., G, MINN
JANTEL LAVENDER, So., C, OSU
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, Sr., F, PUR
PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN MEDIA TEAM
Jenna Smith, Jr., F, ILL
Allyssa DeHaan, Jr., C, MSU
Emily Fox, Sr., G, MINN
JANTEL LAVENDER, So., C, OSU
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, Sr., F, PUR
PRESEASON COACHES PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jantel Lavender, So., C, OSU
PRESEASON MEDIA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jantel Lavender, So., C, OSU
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
