College basketball season is right around the corner and the Big Ten always represents well. After a streak of four years with at least one team in the Final Four, the Big Ten failed to even reach the Elite Eight last season. But with Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin leading the way, there is a good chance this conference will at least be represented in the national semifinals once again in 2017. Here are six players to look out for in the 2016-17 season.
Caleb Swanigan (Purdue) – As a freshman, Caleb averaged 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, but struggled with his consistency. Swanigan’s best game of the year was against Wisconsin, dropping 27 points and eight rebounds. While he shot just 29.2% this past year, he has shown the ability to have good games from deep (3-of-4 versus Butler, 2-of-2 versus Michigan). If he is able to develop this part of his game, Purdue will have a major asset on their team this coming season. Swanigan needs to develop his defense as well. With Caleb only having eight blocks all last season and AJ Hammons no longer patrolling the area near the rim, it’s an improvement the Boilers would desperately appreciate.
Vincent Edwards (Purdue) – Vincent has been a solid overall player for Purdue over his first two seasons in the gold and black, but there are a few things he needs to work on to make the jump from solid contributor to star player. Last year, Edwards averaged 11.3 points with 5.4 rebounds per game. Purdue needs a guy that can get his own shot when the game is on the line, and Vincent has the best skill set to fill that role. He has struggled trying to be that guy during his first two seasons. Purdue needs him to step up this coming season and be that guy. Edwards will have plenty of talent around him this coming season to help him.
Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin) – In his is junior year, Hayes three-point shooting percentage dropped to 29%. He averaged more than two turnovers per game. His worst game of the year came at Michigan State. Hayes does have tons of athleticism and a very high basketball IQ. He has the talent to be a star one day, but he has yet to take the reins for the Badgers throughout his career at Wisconsin. If Hayes can play up to his potential, Wisconsin could be a dangerous team this coming season.
Melo Trimble (Maryland) – Trimble, who led the Terps with 14.8 points and 4.9 assists last year will be back again this coming season for Maryland. Trimble has led Maryland in both scoring and assists in each of his first two seasons. He helped the team reach the NCAA tournament both years. Melo is coming back to a team that recently added L.G. Gill, a 6’8 graduate transfer from Duquesne who averaged more than 10 points and six rebounds last season. Trimble did lose confidence in his shot during a good stretch of last season and disappeared during some games. Maryland needs Melo to regain his shot and his confidence heading into this season.
Miles Bridges (Michigan State) – Miles Bridges has yet to wear a Michigan State uniform, but he’s already being talked about as Tom Izzo’s next NBA prodigy. The 6’7, 225-pound forward is already being talked about being an NBA prospect heading into his freshman season with the Spartans and is potentially one-and-done player. He is an elite athlete who is heading to the perfect situation at Michigan State who is losing good talent with Denzel Valentine. He will have to continue to work on his jump shot if he were to want to be a one-and-done player and go to the NBA.