2001-2002 Total Offensive Efficiency
Here are my 2001-2002 efficiency ratings. This year, as you will see, I made a brief comment on each player, as well as got a bit more specific in terms of positional groupings. The major failing in this year's list is that it is only a partial season, and I frankly don't recall the details of what was and wasn't included. In the intro, it lists January 29th as the date, so we will go with that, though some of the player comments imply the end of the season. Looking at my spreadsheet, I know that is not the case, so just take it with an even larger grain of salt. Still, most of the players have about 90% of their end of season minutes (I never included post-season play anyway). In hindsight, my favorite comment has to be about Kirk Penney, which at one time would have been a nice discussion topic, but given how Penney thrived moving forward, a pretty comical one looking back.
I have decided to list players by specific position, distinguishing between small forwards and centers for instance (since they often have very different roles on teams). Now, I realize that there are a lot of swing players and we can argue about whether Kirk Penney deserves to be included with the shooting guards or the small forwards, but I have made the best call I could on each player.
So, without further ado, here are the Big Ten TOE ratings, as of January 29, 2002. The first number is their TOE score. The second number in parenthesis is their overall Big Ten rank. Also remember that only players that are averaging 10+ minutes per game are included. Also remember that a high ranking often occurs when a player has received limited playing time. As they play more, there is a strong pull downward (unless they are really playing well). So, don't be surprised when you see who the #1 ranked player in the Big Ten is....so far.
Point Guards
Shooting Guards
Small Forwards
Power Forwards
Centers
So, without further ado, here are the Big Ten TOE ratings, as of January 29, 2002. The first number is their TOE score. The second number in parenthesis is their overall Big Ten rank. Also remember that only players that are averaging 10+ minutes per game are included. Also remember that a high ranking often occurs when a player has received limited playing time. As they play more, there is a strong pull downward (unless they are really playing well). So, don't be surprised when you see who the #1 ranked player in the Big Ten is....so far.
Point Guards
- Brent Darby, Ohio State: 90 (#20)-Darby really isn't a true point guard, but since OSU doesn't really play a strict PG, Darby was just put here. While I have never been a fan of his, he has taken his game to another level late in the year and has shown nice improvement. He still takes too many bad shots and isn't a pure shooter, but he can create space for himself and is great at getting to the line. He has also really improved his assist/turnover ratio.
- Tom Coverdale, Indiana: 88 (#22)-Coverdale has long been an underrated player and ranks among the best of the Big Ten point guards. He isn't your classic point guard, but supplies solid offensive punch with a ton of assists and a reasonable amount of turnovers.
- Marcus Taylor, Michigan State: 84 (#24)- Wow! Did he come out of nowhere. At mid-season he had a poor shooting percentage and way too many turnovers and did not even make my mid-season All-Conference team. Now, I think a case could be made for POTY. I figured he would fly up the list statistically, but didn't think it would happen until next year.
- Frank Williams, Illinois: 80 (#28)-Williams had a down year by his standards, specifically due to a horrible shooting percentage. However, the rest of his numbers are solid and he gets the line more than anyone in the Big Ten, a fact that cannot be ignored.
- Autin Parkinson, Penn State: 70 (#37)-Parkinson's value is derived almost entirely from his assists/lack of turnovers. He is very solid in his decision making and will be a good player if/when he learns to shoot the ball.
- Kevin Burleson, Minnesota: 63 (#45)-A bad bad shooter and can't score a lick, but still rates average due to a lot of assists.
- Chauncey Leslie, Iowa: 60 (#49)-Was drastically outperforming Pierce at mid-season, at which time I questioned whether Alford was playing the wrong guy. Alford of course listened to me (gag, chuckle) and began playing Leslie more, at which time his numbers went into the dumper. Point guard has indeed been a problem for Iowa this year.
- Brandon Watkins, Penn State: 50 (#61)-Shoots the ball ok despite a ton of shots, but his AST/TO ratio is marginal and he is under 70% from the FT line. Probably is more of an undersized shooting guard than a point guard.
- Travon Davis, Wisconsin: 45 (#68)-Much has been made about Davis' improvement this year and that is evident. The last two years he was among the worst offensive players in the Big Ten while this year he is about average. Still, even with this improvement, he ranks towards the bottom of starting point guards in the league, mainly because he just doesn't shoot the ball well. AST/TO ratio gradually slipped as the year went on but still wound up at 2-1.
- Pierre Pierce, Iowa: 38 (#73)-There is a lot to like here as a true frosh, but his play overall was still marginal and goes a ways towards explaining Iowa's disappointing season. His 3-point shooting is awful, as is his FT shooting. With work however, I expect him to be a good one, though possibly not at PG.
- Collier Drayton, Northwestern: 34 (#76)-Another guy that plays in a system that doesn't really have a classic point guard. Still, there isn't much he does very well offensively. Very similar to Travon Davis in that he is poor shooter but a pretty good passer.
- Avery Queen, Michigan: 18 (#83)- Just not a very good player. Call him a poor-mans Collier Drayton. Nothing really jumps out at you as being terrible, but he simply doesn't bring much to the table. I suppose he is valuable as a guy that can bring the ball up the court, but his assist totals are mediocre given his role on the team.
- Mike Gotfredson, Michigan: 17 (#84)-A walk-on 3-point specialist that really can't play in the Big Ten and probably shouldn't even be listed as a PG...but...
- Donald Perry, Indiana: -22 (#90)-Another kid who didn't play well as he is trying to learn the ropes.
Shooting Guards
- Chris Hill, Michigan State: 98 (#11)-A pretty weak year for shooting guards in the Big Ten as a freshman takes the top spot. Hill didn't get as much pub as one might think, but he is a very promising freshman. His numbers sagged as the season went along, but still was one of the better freshmen in the conference.
- Ryan Hogan, Iowa: 97 (#12)-Hogan was essentially a role player, but he had a tremendous offensive year. Tremendous shooting and ball safety leads to a great efficiency rating. Numbers fell as he got more minutes, but still a very good year in a supporting role.
- AJ Moye, Indiana: 97 (#14)-Another nice role player on a good team. If/when he puts up these efficiency numbers with increased playing time, IU will have themselves a player. While he isn't a great pure shooter, his "physicalness" allows him to get to the line a lot for his playing time and he is a great offensive rebounder. Came on strong late in the year.
- Brian Brown, Ohio State: 91 (#19)-One of my favorite players in the Big Ten and like Recker, a guy that would rate higher on the list in "real value" if some of the role-players were dropped down a few pegs. Brown got off to a fairly slow start, but is the best 2-guard in the Big Ten IMO.
- Shariff Chambliss, Penn State: 89 (#21)-I'll be the first to eat my words with Chambliss. I saw him play in HS quite a bit and did not think he would be a standout at the college level. However, he has proven me wrong so far. Chambliss' rep as a shooter is well-deserved, though he is a one-dimensional player at this point.
- Willie Deane, Purdue: 81 (#27)-Deane is quite the interesting player. Part point/part shooting guard. Tremendously productive, but also tremendously sloppy with the ball (90 turnovers). Still, he is a pretty good player...good shooter but also an underrated slasher that can get to the free throw line.
- Maynard Lewis, Purdue: 77 (#30)-Another guy that kind of lurks in the shadows while other teammates take the focus, putting up decent numbers all the while. A good #3 type option player.
- Luke Recker, Iowa: 77 (#32)-Recker's numbers were down from last year, though subjectively he still is one of the better offensive players in the league. Recker shot the ball well from long range but his midrange game was been inconsistent and he still had too many turnovers. I believe he spent much of the year pressing.
- Dommanic Ingerson, Michigan: 74 (#34)-Basically a scorer. Had some head-case problems late in the year, coinciding with a slide in his play?
- Kyle Hornsby, Indiana: 70 (#36)-Great 3-point shooter and a pretty safe player, but offers nothing in terms of getting to the line or on the glass. A useful player but limited.
- Devin Harris, Wisconsin: 69 (#40)-Slumped a bit during the middle of the Big Ten season, but a potential star in the making. Shooting percentage is poor which hurts him. Finished very strong.
- Sean Connoly, Ohio State: 64 (#41)-In retrospect, he might fit better in the point guard section (with Darby dropped here), where he would rank well. Pretty good passer and will hit open jumpers.
- Cory Bradford, Illinois: 64 (#42)-Bradford has long been on my list of most overrated players. He had his best year though and at least is no longer a huge drain on the Illini offense.
- Dane Fife, Indiana: 59 (#50)-One of the candidates for most improved player. Fife was awful last year but obviously put a lot of time into his shooting over the off-season (or just had the ball go in more...that happens too). With his defensive ability, he rates pretty well on the subjective list.
- Tim Brograkos, Michigan State: 56 (#54)-Shot the ball very very well in limited attempts, though didn't do much else to stand out.
- Brody Boyd, Iowa: 54 (#58)-Designated long range shooter. Kyle Hornsby without the extra 7 inches.
- Jitim Young, Northwestern: 53 (#59)-I like him as a player and thought he would rate higher. Poor assist/turnover rate is his major flaw.
- Luther Head, Illinois: 52 (#60)-Head will probably wind up at point guard, though I will leave him here for now. Played pretty well, but really had the luxury of a strong supporting cast. Faded late.
- Drew Long, Northwestern: 49 (#65)-Perimeter shooter off the bench, nothing more at this point.
- Sean Harrington, Illinois: 48 (#66)-Someone better check to make sure Hornsby and Harrington aren't the same guy....other than the fact that Hornsby is just a better shooter at this stage.
- Kelvin Torbert, Michigan State: 44 (#69)-He was having a really good freshman year and was pretty comparable to Hill at one point. Then the wheels fell off and he completely collapsed. Needs to take better shots.
- Ndu Egekeze, Penn State: 42 (#70)- Nothing special.
- Joe Marshall, Purdue: 39 (#72)-Bad shooter, poor free throw shooter, an ok rebounder, and a bad ball-handler. You can have him (though he did improve a bit late in the year).
- Freddie Owens, Wisconsin: 32 (#78)-Simply not a good offensive player at this point. He got off to a hot start but then took a few more shots than he should have around mid-season. To his credit though, he adjusted and played more under control, which helped his numbers.
- Gavin Groninger, Michigan: 21 (#81)-Another designated shooter but not an especially good one.
- Leon Jones, Michigan: 13 (#86)-The worst offensive guard in the Big Ten last year and by golly if he didn't almost pull it off again.
- Kerwin Fleming, Minnesota: 11 (#87)-Well, someone has to be the worst.
Small Forwards
- Travaras Bennett, Minnesota: 116 (#4)-A really good player that rarely gets his due. Bennett shoots the ball well, gets to the line, is an excellent offensive rebounder, and a safe ball handling option. It is hard to find many flaws in his game.
- Boban Savovic, Ohio State: 113 (#5)-Another terrific offensive player that rarely gets mentioned in discussions of the league's best players because OSU features a balanced scoring attack. Savovic had big numbers last year, though I wrote them off to some degree as a result of limited playing time. This year, he has taken another step up however. He functions as somewhat of a point-forward and offers a lot of dimensions to the OSU offense.
- Brian Cook, Illinois: 99 (#10)-Gets a lot of slack for not being more productive, which tells just how good he COULD be (probably Jeffries good). He is still a multi-skilled player that is going to be great if he ever puts it all together, something he appeared to be doing over the second half of the year.
- Jared Jeffries, Indiana: 91 (#18)-Probably the leading candidate for Player of the Year in the Big Ten and very deserving. When factoring in defense, versatility, leadership, usage, etc. is the clear cut choice for best small forward in the league. His only real flaw is that he still can be a bit careless with the ball, but given his playmaking ability, it is obviously something you can live with. His numbers fell off while he battled a sprained ankle.
- Mike Bauer, Minnesota: 75 (#33)-The dropoff in small forwards is huge from 4 to 5. I have not been a big fan of Bauer's, though he seems to be making steady progress.
- Kirk Penney, Wisconsin: 73 (#35)-While Penney has surprised some people with the ability to go inside in Bo Ryan's swing offense, I still think this offense has been a bad fit for Kirk. He has gotten decent looks and is proving that he CAN finish inside, but his 3-point percentage is down as a result of fewer screens and his turnovers are too high. He is probably a top 5 shooting guard in Bennett's system, but a bit lower in Ryan's system. Got control of his turnovers and came on very very strong late.
- Glen Worley, Iowa: 70 (#38)-Possibly a better fit as a small power forward, but with Evans around Worley stays pretty much at the 3 spot. I have never seen a whole lot to like about Worley other than his physique which is certainly Big Ten caliber. He shot the ball better late in the year however which obviously helped his numbers. Turnovers are still a problem.
- Duez Henderson, Iowa: 63 (#44)-Works hard and has value as a defender, but just never has been a good offensive player and never will be. Shoots free throws well and plays within himself though and it is a testament to his effort that he ranks this high.
- Bernard Robinson, Michigan: 62 (#46)-His floor game looks ok but he just shot the ball poorly this year. He has a solid mid-range jumper but should have electrodes attached to his body to prevent him from venturing beyond the arc. A top 5 small forward talent wise.
- Rodney Smith, Purdue: 62 (#47)-Smith is way down from where he was last year, possibly due his injury? The main area of concern is his shooting, which was barely 40%. I also believe he suffered due to the guard dominance of his team.
- Winston Blake, Northwestern: 56 (#56)-I like him despite his only so-so numbers. His shooting percentage is low, but his high number of shot attempts may be the burden he is forced to carry on a team without a lot of talent. I think he has some productive days ahead.
- Chuck Bailey, Michigan: 49 (#63)-Early in the year his numbers said he was a top 25 player to which I said it was a "mirage". Bailey is a reserve player who shot the ball well but has a terrible assist/turnover ratio, limited range, and is a poor free throw shooter. Good rebounder though.
- Alan Anderson, Michigan State: 40 (#71)-Probably playing more of a role than he should have to at this point due to the MSU defections.
- Darmetreis Kilgore, Purdue: 35 (#75)-Just an out of control gunner that shoots to much and is a black-hole on offense. Has skill, but I hate him as a player. With Deane and Kilgore on the floor, I can see how guys like Allison aren't getting enough touches.
- Daren Tielsch, Penn State: 19 (#82)-Similar to Anderson in that he is probably having to take shots and play more than he should due to lack of team depth.
- Jason Burke, Northwestern: 8 (#88)-Passes the ball pretty well but is pretty much an offensive nothing otherwise.
- Jamaal Tate, Penn State: 1 (#89)-In a horrendous horrendous shooting slump for most of the year. Long term, I would take him above some of guys ahead of him though.
Power Forwards
- Damir Krupalija, Illinois: 166 (#1)-Yes, he sits at #1overall. Now, Damir has always been another one of my favorite players and he is indeed very underrated and a very good player, but his ranking is a result of limited playing time as a role player. Yes, he has been great, 60% shooting/80% from the line/great OR numbers/etc. but he is NOT the best power forward in the Big Ten, but given more playing time, you would see him drop a few spots.
- Adam Ballinger, Michigan State: 132 (#2)-Not a star, but people haven't figured out how good this guy is yet. He shouldn't be setting foot near the arc, but he does a heck of lot well for you. He and Taylor were the main reasons MSU went on their late season push.
- Terrence Dials, Ohio State: 112 (#6)- Dials is shooting 64%, but in limited shots. He is a fine looking freshman and one of the most efficient garbage players in the league. Outstanding offensive rebounder.
- Dusty Rychart, Minnesota: 110 (#7)-Rychart has long been one of my favorite players in the Big Ten, much to the howls of the Iowa fans as I compared him favorably to Reggie Evans. The guy isn't flashy and isn't much to look at, but he is a nice combination of productivity and efficiency. He is a guy that takes good high percentage shots and rebounds pretty well and I would gladly take him on my team.
- Rick Rickert, Minnesota: 105 (#8)-Rickert on the other hand IS a lot to look at and is immensely more talented than Rychart. The fact that he isn't yet consistent and still ranks where he does is a testament to his skill. Improve that AST/TO ratio and you have yourselves a player of the year candidate down the road. He is the runaway choice for FOTY in my opinion.
- Adam Wolfe, Michigan State: 97 (#13)-Basically a role player right now and has a horrible AST/TO ratio, but if he can clean that up he can be a significant contributor on a very good team. Looks good.
- Mike Wilkinson, Wisconsin: 96 (#15)-Another really good looking freshman. While Harris has gotten a lot of the pub, Wilkinson is putting up the better offensive numbers. The Big Ten looks solid at this position for a few years down the road.
- Reggie Evans, Iowa: 93 (#16)-I lambasted Evans mercilessly last year and still don't feel he is as good as some make him out to be, but he has improved tremendously and is now indeed one of the better players in the Big Ten. I would put him right there with Rickert and Rychart at the best in the conference at the position. Namely, Evans is shooting the ball at a much better clip and his offensive rebounding and ability to get the free throw line are well known. He still is a turnover machine however.
- Jarrad Odle, Indiana: 93 (#17)-A journeyman role player who elevated his game tremendously over the second half of the season. I know some IU fans were calling for him to get some all-conference mention which might be a bit much. Still, I would put him on my all-underrated team as he is another guy I wouldn't mind having on my team.
- Aloysius Anagonye, Michigan State: 83 (#25)-I have always felt that Izzo's work with big men has been underrated. As you can see, MSU big men are always good percentage players who usually play within themselves, a sign of good coaching. I shudder to think what Evans would do under Izzo.
- LaVell Blanchard, Michigan: 82 (#26)-While LaVell is still a pretty good player, he has simply not developed as hoped to this point. His shooting was down and the rest of his game remained pretty static.
- Lucas Johnson, Illinois: 77 (#31)-Gritty physical role player who does the dirty work so guys like Cook can roam free on the perimeter. Isn't really a scoring threat but is a solid passer and a pretty good offensive rebounder.
- Jeff Newton, Indiana: 69 (#39)-Has talent but has never put it together. Just after I wrote him off at mid-season, like Odle he really elevated his game. He still isn't an upper echelon starter or anything, but he has improved.
- Charlie Wills, Wisconsin: 64 (#43)-Has improved from a bad offensive player to a passable one. Like Odle, he continued to improve as the year progressed and has been a key component in Wisconsin's surprise year.
- Tavaras Hardy, Northwestern: 58 (#51)-If he were allowed to sit down low and bang, while extending his offensive game to about 15 feet, he would be pretty decent. However, either he insists or the offensive insists that he keeps shooting (and usually missing) 3's. Can't shoot a lick from the line either. Good offensive rebounder, but I though his All-Big Ten mention was a sham.
- Zach Williams, Ohio State: 58 (#52)-Kind of just hangs around and does the dirty work for a guard-oriented team but I like him. Like many young interior players he needs to improve his handle. Strictly a banger at this point.
- Tyler Smith, Penn State: 56 (#55)-As you can see, we have gradually evolved into the grunt type players, of which Smith is one of the poster boys.
- Vedran Vukusic, Northwestern: 46 (#67)-Really not a true power forward but we had to put someone there. Like most Euro players, he is a decent offensive scorer but isn't much under the glass. Played really tailed late.
- Brent Buscher, Purdue: 33 (#77)-Hard to tell him apart from Smith at this point.
- Tim Martin, Ohio State: 31 (#79)-Playing time has gone down this year and deservedly so.
- Jan Jagla, Penn State: 16 (#85)-Looks like he might be a player out there but hard to find much to like in his numbers.
Centers
- Robert Archibald, Illinois: 122 (#3)-A long time favorite of mine who has taken his game from solid efficient supporting player to a standout that should (but isn't always) be one of the focal points of his team's offense. His played dipped a bit once the Big Ten season hit and he has never been a star, but simply is a very productive player.
- Chris Young, Michigan: 100 (#9)-Good solid hard working player who plays within his limits. Young has turned himself into a bruising role player to a pretty good low post threat. There really isn't much difference between Young and Archibald.
- John Allison, Purdue: 88 (#23)- Allison is the victim of being on a team with a bunch of shot hungry guards. His production numbers are modest because he just doesn't get enough touches, but he IS one of the better offensive big men in the conference.
- Nick Smith, Illinois: 80 (#29)-Doesn't play a whole lot but has been very productive. Could be pretty good someday.
- Jerry Holman, Minnesota: 60 (#48)-As you can see, there is a quick falloff from legit Big Ten center to journeyman role player. Holman happens to be one of the better of the journeymen and has enough athletic talent to become a pretty good offensive player down the road.
- Velimir Radinovic, Ohio State: 57 (#53)-Shoots the ball pretty well from the field, but a poor free throw shooter and a terrible passer (AST/TO ratio of 1/13).
- Jason Andreas, Michigan State: 54 (#57)-Similar to Radinovic other than the free throw shooting. Gradually improved as the season went on.
- George Leach, Indiana: 50 (#62)-A decent garbage shooter but doesn't offer much more offensively. Like Andreas, gradually played better as the season progressed.
- Jared Reiner, Iowa: 49 (#64)-I have always liked him and feel he has more upside than some of guys ahead of him on this list but have had a hunch that he has had a hard time finding a role with Evans also down low for Iowa. Look for him to make a big jump next year.
- Dave Mader, Wisconsin: 35 (#74)- A very aggressive rebounder who has a hard time consistently finishing in the post. Has shown promise for the future and like Reiner, you could see a solid jump from him next year.
- Aaron Jennings, Northwestern: 21 (#80)-A horrible rebounder and a terrible shooter from the floor despite a decent percentage from behind the arc. Is a role player being forced to play a role greater than he is capable of. I understand that Carmody's offense calls for a big playing out on the floor in the high post, but someone needs to kick him in the tush and tell him that he doesn't need to be launching from beyond the arc so much.
- Kevin Fellows, Penn State: -36 (#91)-The worst regular player in the Big Ten according to the TOE formula. A horrible horrible shooter who doesn't get to the line or rebound. Probably isn't a Big Ten player skill wise.