|  | | Surprisingly, MSU's Jason Richardson wasn't a user favorite for Big Ten Player of the Year. |
The early ecstasy of March Madness always energizes the college basketball world. But it also overshadows the end of the regular season and the individual accomplishments of the players and coaches.
Not here. Not at ESPN.com. Here's what you had to say about the Big Ten's Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and team with the best chance of making the Final Four.
Fabulous Frank is total package
Frank Williams from Illinois should be the Player of the Year. To use a classic cliche ... he is the straw that stirs the drink. In this case, the drink would be flat without him!
Wayne Jung
Louisville, Ky.
Frank Williams should be the Player of the Year without any question. Why? Because he is the guy that has carried his team throughout the second half of every difficult game this season. Without him, Illinois would be sitting in the middle of the conference with a mediocre record.
Joel Werner
Bloomington, Ill.
Despite Illinois' depth, there is no player in the country who can simply put his team on his back and carry them to victory down the stretch like Frank Williams. Not only is he the team's best player, he's their undisputed team leader and plays at the most important position – point guard. He has great court vision, plays defense, can shoot the three, and can create his own shot. He's the total package.
Andrew Kim
Seattle
FRANKIE, FRANKIE, FRANKIE! Plain and simple, if you think of the Big Ten Player of the Year as a player that makes his team win, both offensively and defensively, there is no question that Frank Williams is the one. He steps up when he is needed offensively, he always gets his teammates involved and he is a force on the defensive side of the court. Frank is the only player that deserves this honor from all sides of the game.
Bob Hornsby
Normal, Ill.
King Kirk
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Player of the Year debate
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Player
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Stats
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Record
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Williams
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15.0 ppg, 2.2 spg
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22-6
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Haston
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18.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg
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17-11
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Bell
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15.4 ppg, 5.3 apg
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23-3
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Johnson
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12.3 ppg, 4.1 bpg
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19-9
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Stats and records through Feb. 28
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With all do respect to Jason Richardson and Frank Williams, both of whom will have very bright futures ahead of them, I believe Kirk Haston should get the nod as Player of the Year. A player who is in the top three in scoring and rebounding in the Big Ten should be considered at the top of the MVP race. Haston is also shooting the ball well with his 45% mark from 3-point range. Also, his ability to win games against the likes of Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State for an inexperienced and young IU team should help. Haston should win the award.
Jeremy Marvel
Terre Haute, Ind.
Kirk Haston has carried the Hoosiers this year on the offensive end virtually alone. He's averaging over 20 points and around 10 boards in Big Ten play, and no one's been able to stop him. He should definitely get Big Ten Player of the Year.
Ryan Clark
Fort Wayne, Ind.
I think Kirk Haston deserves the nod. Not only has he been a great leader for a young team, but he has been a clutch performer all year. His numbers are good, he's unselfish and he's tough. He has guided his team through an emotionally-draining off season. He has been consistent all year.
Shane Hargrave
Portage, Mich.
I believe that Kirk Haston is the Player of the Year. No other big man has the shooting range that he has. He has definitely stepped up his game this year, despite the situation that happened with IU at the beginning of the season.
Adam Wilson
Evansville, Ind.
Bell-ieve it! MSU senior guard is the best
Hands down the Player of the Year is Charlie Bell. Without question, he is the best all-around shooting guard in the nation. His offense speaks for itself, and no other guard in the nation can claim his defensive prowess. He has shut down many other talented guards, not only in the Big Ten, but also around the country.
Todd Clarkin
Grand Rapids, Mich.
I think that the Player of the Year award should go to Charlie Bell. He has been the leader of a Michigan State team that could be even better than last year's championship club. He brings a great deal of leadership to the club, along with a great scoring touch, incredible rebounding ability and an awareness of the situations on the court.
Nathan Wolf
Boyne City, Mich.
Jumping Johnson deserves recognition
Ken Johnson has meant more to his team than any other player I can think of. Ohio State was not expected to contend for anything this year. Johnson has put the Buckeyes in position to end up third in the tough Big Ten.
Susie Householder
Columbus, Ohio
I have to go with Ken Johnson. He has worked very hard to improve his game and it shows. Not only has he now become the Big Ten's all-time leading shot blocker, but he also recorded his 1000th point last week. As the only senior on a team that was, by many's standards, destined to fail after the Scoonie Penn/Michael Redd era, Johnson has shown great leadership and taken Ohio State further than anyone thought they could go.
Rebecca
Delaware, Ohio
Overachieving O'Brien the overwhelming choice
Jim O'Brien would have to be considered the Coach of the Year. He has led that Ohio St. team far above what anyone expected, especially after losing players like Scoonie Penn, Michael Redd and George Reese.
Mark Richardson
Normal, Ill.
There's no question that Jim O'Brien did more with less than any of his contemporaries. Izzo and Self are right where they were supposed to be: one and two in the conference. Mike Davis had more to work with in terms of talent. O'Brien has a team that was picked as low as ninth in some preseason polls and now is looking at the NCAA tourney as a decent seed. Not too bad.
Sam O'Neill
Redford, Mich.
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Coach of the Year debate
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Coach
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Comments
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Records
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Jim O'Brien
Ohio State
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Surprising run up Big Ten standings
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10-5 Big Ten
19-9 Overall
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Mike Davis
Indiana
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Admirably replaced legend Bob Knight
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8-6 Big Ten
17-11 Overall
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Brad Soderberg
Wisconsin
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Admirably replaced Dick Bennett
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8-7 Big Ten
17-9 Overall
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Records through Feb. 28
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My vote for Coach of the Year would be Jim O'Brien. After losing Scoonie Penn, Michael Redd and George Reece from last year's team, the only thing I thought I would have to look forward to this winter is OSU's spring football game. But, by outworking its opponents both with effort and fundamentals, this OSU team has exceeded every expectation I had for them. The thing I appreciate most about it is the way Jim O'Brien's team conducts itself with dignity and class, both on and off the court. For that, Jim O'Brien is definitely the Coach of the Year.
Dave Gooch
Newark, Ohio
Jim O'Brien was given little chance of putting the Buckeyes where they are today. His style of "team before player" has won his players over year after year. Players have sat out just to play under him. The Bucks were given little chance of even being a Big Ten contender two years ago and made it to the Final Four. After losing his top three scorers and playing only one senior this year, the critics gave him little chance again. Another Final Four? We shall see.
Tony Bavry
Columbus, Ohio
Jim O'Brien deserves the award. Who would have thought Ohio State would be so good?
Jeff Sipe
San Angelo, Texas
Former assistants achieve coaching success
Brad Soderberg of Wisconsin deserves the award. Both Mike Davis (IU) and Soderberg were assistants this time last year. Yes, Brad Soderberg inherited a stronger team but he had much less time to prepare for his situation than Davis. Plus I look for Wisconsin to have a major impact in the Big Dance.
Ken Diepholz
Effingham, Ill.
Mike Davis deserves this award. The Hoosiers could very easily end up with 10 wins and 6 losses in the Big Ten. No one had more pressure on him. What a great job he has done!
Randy Ballard
Cincinnati, Ohio
Mike Davis deserves the Coach of the Year. He has led the Hoosiers to a winning conference record while being under the scrutiny of the administration and the media.
Steve Dyson
Camby, Ind.
Although I am partial to the job Mike Davis has done at Indiana, Brad Soderberg from Wisconsin has taken over that team without skipping a beat. I think both of the newcomers should get consideration for the fabulous jobs they've done this year.
Ryan Noel
Indianapolis
Solid Spartans can repeat
Michigan State will go the deepest. Illinois has better talent but the experience of MSU is invaluable. Tom Izzo knows how to compete in the Madness of March. MSU to the Final Four again.
Mike Gauch
Columbus, Ohio
Like they did last year, MSU is appearing to peak at just the right time. I can see the Spartans making a repeat run to the Final Four with the talent they have.
Adam Snavely
East Lansing, Mich.
Close call between Illinois and MSU, but I'll make the homer pick of MSU. They have been tournament tested. The team is fitting together well just at the right time, especially with the maturity of Taylor and Randolph and the emergence of David Thomas. Izzo is a great tournament coach. Watch out!
Marvin Grandstaff
Okemos, Mich.
Michigan State and Illinois are the only Big Ten teams with the talent to compete with Stanford, North Carolina and Duke for the National Championship. The edge between these two goes to Michigan State, however, because they've been there before and they have the senior leadership necessary to get it done. Look for Michigan State to make the Final Four and compete for the title. Illinois and Wisconsin should make the Sweet 16 if they get a decent draw in each respective bracket.
Jason Wahl
Lexington, Va.
Illini will fly high
Other teams may have a stronger starting five, but nobody has a stronger 10-player rotation than Illinois. That will be a huge asset in March. Look for Illinois to go to the Final Four!
Ken Diepholz
Effingham, Ill.
Illinois is dangerous. Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry ... some teams just seem to have it – like Wisconsin did last year. And the Illini knows how to win late, which is critical come tournament time.
Matt Boettcher
Atlanta
Illinois ... they're explosive, deep and hungry. It will depend on the seeding and the depth of the bracket, but the Illini have got Final Four written all over them.
Jeff Derringer
New York
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