Yahoo! Sports’ All-Big Ten Team

Before he ever enrolled in college, Jared Sullinger led his AAU basketball squad to a national championship. He helped bring a state title and a No. 1 national ranking to Columbus’ Northland High School – and now he wants to spruce up the trophy case at Ohio State.

“He’s won at every level,” said Satch Sullinger, Jared’s father. “He won’t feel like he’s done his job unless the same thing happens at Ohio State.”

The Final Four is still a month away, but no one would be shocked to see the Buckeyes cutting down the nets in Houston. If it happens it will largely be because of Sullinger, who was being hailed as a national player of the year candidate just a month into his college career.

A freshman, Sullinger averages 17.4 points and 9.8 rebounds for the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes, who are 27-2 overall and 14-2 in the Big Ten. For his efforts, Sullinger has been selected as Yahoo! Sports’ Big Ten Player of the Year.

“Honestly,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said, “there isn’t a whole lot Jared can’t do.”

Also earning accolades for a successful 2010-11 season is Purdue’s Matt Painter, who has been chosen as Yahoo! Sports’ Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Purdue (24-5 and 13-3) is ranked eighth in the country despite losing standout forward Robbie Hummel to a season-ending knee injury during the team’s first practice on Oct. 16. Purdue owns victories over a pair of top 10 teams in Ohio State and Wisconsin. None of it would’ve happened without Painter, whose Boilermakers pride themselves on defense and sharing the ball – a true sign that they’re led by an elite coach.

After making the Sweet 16 last season, Purdue fans have reason to set their expectations even higher this spring.

Here are the rest of Yahoo! Sports 2010-11 All-Big Ten honorees along with a list of award winners.

FIRST TEAM

F JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, senior – Averages 20.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks … Ranks seventh on Purdue’s career scoring list with 1,799 points … Has nine double-double and has scored 20 or more points in 18 games … One of 10 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top player.

F Jon Leuer, Wisconsin, senior – Averages a team-high 19.4 points and 7.3 rebounds … Has scored in double figures in every game this season … Tallied 20 or more points in 13 games … Has six double-doubles … Averaged 15.4 points as a junior … Wisconsin is 97-33 – and counting – since Leuer arrived in Madison.

C Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, freshman – National player of the year candidate and future NBA lottery pick averages 17.4 points and 9.8 rebounds … Shoots 55.8 percent from the field … Scored 40 points against IUPUI and 30 against South Carolina … Led team to a 24-0 start … One of 10 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Award … Ahead of his years in terms of fundamentals and basketball IQ.

G E’Twaun Moore, Purdue, senior – Averages 18.5 points, 3.2 steals and 1.2 assists … With 2,061 points, is one of just five players in school history to surpass the 2,000-point plateau … Scored a career-high 38 points in a victory over Big Ten rival Ohio State … Averaged 12.9 points as a freshman, 13.8 as a sophomore and 16.4 as a junior.

G Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin, junior – Averages 17.8 points and five assists … Leads the nation in assist-turnover ratio (4.24) … Has committed just 18 turnovers in 16 Big Ten games and has never had more than three turnovers in a single contest … Scored 30 points against Michigan State and 27 in an upset of then-No. 1 Ohio State.

SECOND TEAM

F Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota, junior

G Talor Battle, Penn State, senior

G David Lighty, Ohio State,senior

G Kalin Lucas, Michigan State, senior

G Darius Morris, Michigan, sophomore

THIRD TEAM

F Draymond Green, Michigan State, junior

F Christian Watford, Indiana, sophomore

G William Buford, Ohio State, junior

G Demetri McCamey, Illinois, senior

G John Shurna, Northwestern, junior

Player of the year: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Coach of the year: Matt Painter, Purdue

Freshman of the year: Aaron Craft, Ohio State

Newcomer of the year: Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota

Defensive player of the year: David Lighty, Ohio State

Sixth man of the year: Brandon Paul, Illinois

Most improved: Jeff Brooks, Penn State

Most underrated: Lewis Jackson, Purdue