ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Michigan State, the national runner-up
last season, has been picked in a preseason poll to repeat as Big
Ten champions.
A 24-member media panel chose Purdue - which made it to the
round of 16 last season - to finish second and Ohio State to take
third.
Michigan State's Kalin Lucas, last year's player of the year in
the conference, was chosen as preseason player of the year.
Lucas is joined on the first team by four other juniors - Manny
Harris of Michigan, Evan Turner of Ohio State, Talor Battle of Penn
State and Robbie Hummel of Purdue.
Michigan State finished 31-7 last season - 15-3 in the Big Ten -
and lost to North Carolina in the national title game.
Ohio State was picked to win the women's title and the Buckeyes' Janelle Lavender is preseason player of the year.