Big Ten Bites: Cody Zeller the Best Player In America?

Mar 23, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Cody Zeller (40) reacts after scoring against the Kentucky Wildcats inthe second half during the semifinals of the south region of the 2012 NCAA men

Is Indiana big man Cody Zeller the best player in all of America? The Big Lead thinks so. Jason McIntyre released his annual list of the top 50 college basketball players and there at the top sits the Hoosier. McIntyre said, “On a stacked team, he’ll be over-analyzed, like [Jared] Sullinger and Perry Jones were last year. Most complete forward in the country.”

Just how “stacked” is Tom Crean’s team? Zeller’s #1 in the nation, and his front-court mate Christian Watford is 14. Is that the best duo in the conference? Maybe not. Ohio State has the tandem of Aaron Craft and DeShaun Thomas, who rank 6 and 12 respectively.

Other Big 1o players in the top 50: Michigan’s Trey Burke ranks #10 according to McIntyre. At #26 is 13th-year senior Trevor Mbakwe of the Gophers. The #28 spot goes to Illinois guard Brandon Paul.

No Badgers make this year’s list. We’ll see how The Big Lead feels about Sam Dekker this time next year.