October 27, 2011 - 1:20pm
BIG TEN MEDIA DAY: Ohio State chosen as preseason favorite
BY BEN ESTES
ROSEMONT, Ill. — It's a new basketball season, but the Big Ten heavyweight remains the same.
At Big Ten media day on Thursday morning, the conference announced that Ohio State was chosen by the media as the preseason favorite for 2011-12. Wisconsin was No. 2, and Michigan State No. 3 (only the top three teams are released).
The Buckeyes won the Big Ten last year with a conference record of 14-2, finishing two games ahead of second-place Purdue.
The conference also announced that Ohio State sophomore forward Jared Sullinger was named preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. The Columbus native arrived highly touted last season and delivered, averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Sullinger was also named to the preseason All-Big Ten First Team, joined by Michigan State forward Draymond Green, Purdue forward Robbie Hummel, Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor and Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe.
