Conference preview: Big Ten

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2009-10 outlook

__[#image: /photos/55ad71f1b01eefe207f68860]|||Illinois logo 2008-09.gif|||

Predicted champion: Illinois

Predicted player of the year: Kevin Foley, Penn State

Predicted freshman of the year:Ross Frankenberg, Illinois

NCAA Regional bound: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio State

Team on the rise: Iowa--The Hawkeyes played two freshmen and two sophomore at nationals last May. Got to like the experience they gained moving forward.

Biggest question mark: Indiana--Alex Martin emerged as a solid player last season, but he'll have to step up even more now that Jorge Campillo has graduated.

Wouldn't surprise me to see: Michigan build momentum off its Final 4 finish at nationals last spring and contend for the conference title.

Would shock me to see: Illinois win less than five tournament titles in 2009-10. The Illini have a deep roster and a "reasonable" schedule.

__2008-09 Accolades

Team champions:__ Illinois

Player of the year: Jorge Campillo, Indiana

Freshman of the year: Eric Chun, Northwestern

Coach of the year: Mike Small, Illinois

Big Ten medalist: Eric Chun, Northwestern

__All-Big Ten First team:

__Jorge Campillo, Indiana

Chris DeForest, Illinois*

Kevin Foley, Penn State*

Bo Hoag, Ohio State*

Scott Langley, Illinois*

Alex Martin, Indiana*

__2009-10 predicted finish:

__1. Illinois

__WOMEN

2009-10 outlook

__[#image: /photos/55ad71f1b01eefe207f68863]|||Purdue 2008-09 logo.gif|||

Predicted champion: Purdue

Predicted player of the year: Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Purdue

Predicted freshman of the year: Laura Gonzalez-Escallon, Purdue

NCAA Regional bound: Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa

Team on the rise: Ohio State--Transfer Allie White and freshman Rachel Rohanna come in just as the Buckeyes seem to be rebounding from a couple lean seasons.

Biggest question mark: Purdue--Had a lot of solid players behind Maria Hernandez, but are they ready to take over now that the four-year standout has graduated?

Wouldn't surprise me to see: The player-of-the-year race come down to the outcome of the Big Ten Championship.

Would shock me to see: Anyone not playing for Purdue or Michigan State to win the POY race.

__2008-09 Accolades

Team champions:__ Purdue

Player of the year: Maria Hernandez, Purdue

Freshman of the year: Vicky Villanueva, Ohio State

Coach of the year: Devon Brouse, Purdue

Big 12 medalist: Maria Hernandez, Purdue; Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Purdue

__All-Big 12 First team:

__Maria Hernandez, Purdue

Thea Hoffmeister, Purdue*

Junthima Gulyanamitta, Purdue*

Laura Kueny, Michigan State*

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Purdue*

In Hong Lim, Ohio State*

__2009-10 predicted finish:

__1. Purdue

Monday's conference preview: Pac-10