Four months ago — I can't decide whether it feels like yesterday or a year ago — writers across the Big Ten's ever-widening stretch of earth surveyed the conference landscape and made predictions.
Some of my own predictions still look OK. Although I never would have thought this would be such a down year in the league, I picked Wisconsin to win the league, Ohio State to land second (the Buckeyes could be third) and Michigan State to be fourth (the Spartans are tied for third). Rutgers would be dead last, I thought, and Penn State and Northwestern would sit in the basement, too, although the Wildcats are surging.
Other forecasting was more laughable. Purdue, now in contention to finish second, I had finishing 13th. I also way underestimated Maryland, while overestimating Michigan, which I had sixth; the Gophers, whom I had fifth, and Nebraska, which I had all the way up at third.
Just another reminder none of us can predict the future. We can, however, talk more aptly about the past. Since those fickle estimations, the 14 teams have surged and slumped, towered and toppled. With the Big Ten tournament starting Wednesday, the cards have almost all been laid. Time to cast off preseason predictions and take a gander at the glorious unpredictable season that we've been treated to. My Big Ten awards:
Player of the Year: Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin. No surprises here, not now, not in October. The versatile 7-footer has put together an even greater senior campaign than was expected of him, and the expectations weren't low. A candidate for National Player of the Year as well, he has increased his scoring by more than four points a game; is rebounding better; distributing the ball better; hitting better percentages from the field and from three-point range; and has become more of a back-to-the-basket presence. This one is in the bag.
Freshman of the Year: D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State. Although the guard has shown some inconsistency in recent weeks, it's hard to take anything away from a player who has carried Ohio State and is in the conference's top five in scoring, assists and three-pointers. Russell — displaying a soft outside touch and the ability to completely embarrass defenders on his way to the basket — has proved nearly impossible to guard 1-on-1, and his court vision has kept the Buckeyes offense rolling.
Coach of the Year: Mark Turgeon, Maryland. When the Terrapins joined the Big Ten this summer, many thought this program coming off a 17-15 season and dealing with a stunning five transfers would stutter yet again. Not the case. Despite dealing with a few injuries (star guard Dez Wells missed seven games), Turgeon directed a Big Ten title-contending season and brought new life to a team that likely will land a top-three seed in the NCAA tournament.
Biggest surprise team: Purdue. Media picked the Boilermakers to finish 10th in October, and after an 8-5 nonconference showing that included a three-game losing streak and a loss at home to Gardner-Webb, that seemed appropriate. But Purdue, behind patient coach Matt Painter and a balanced lineup, has rebounded to challenge for second place in the conference and battle for an NCAA tournament invitation.
![Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky celebrated as he scored on a dunk during the second half. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • reneejones@startribune.com The Minnesota Gophers played the Wisconsin Badgers at Williams Arena on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EWRPSUDY6IU4GJ3UW5SRG3V34Q.jpg?&w=1080)
