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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