The following is a breakdown of three Big Ten men's basketball stars.
Brian Cook, F, Illinois
In an era where the lion's share of attention is lavished on LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Kobe Bryant, three players for which college was not and is not even a brief pit stop on the way to professional glory, Brian Cook is rare.
The 6-foot-10 star for the Illini is a senior who has improved over each of his first three seasons and is poised to close out his college career as one of the nation's best. Cook was averaging 21.7 points, best in the conference, and 8.4 rebounds per game for the 12-1 Illini prior to last night's battle with fellow conference leader Iowa.
This past Saturday, in Illinois' victory over Wisconsin, Cook played one of the best games of his sterling career. He totaled 31 points and nine rebounds in only 26 minutes of action. Toward the end of a close game with the Badgers, Cook took over the game, scoring 22 of the Illini's last 26 points.
His efforts earned him Big Ten player of the week honors and glittering praise from his coach, Bill Self.
"I don't think there's a better all-around player than Brian," Self said. "I haven't seen them all and I don't want to jinx him, but I certainly think he's as good as there is. He's become the best player I've ever coached."
Bracey Wright, G, Indiana
On the other end of the college basketball timeline from Cook is Wright, the precocious 6-foot-3 freshman guard for the Hoosiers. Like all freshmen, Wright has had his struggles during his rookie campaign, sometimes disappearing in tough, tense games, such as last Saturday at Ohio State, when Wright was 3-of-10 on three-pointers and committed three turnovers in an 81-69 defeat.
But at other times, the brilliant potential of the Texas native and 2002 Parade All-American has shone too bright for anyone to ignore. Wright burst onto the national scene in November as Indiana cruised to the championship at the Maui Invitational. Wright averaged 16 points a game for the tournament to take MVP honors. He is averaging 19.1 points per game, which leads the Hoosiers. and he also tops the team in assists and is second in rebounds.
"It's hard to find someone that can shoot as well as get to the basket like Bracey can," Indiana head coach Mike Davis said. "He's not your normal All-American because he doesn't complain if he hasn't gotten the ball four or five times. He's the ultimate team player."
Lavell Blanchard, F, Michigan
To say there was a little pressure on Lavell Blanchard upon his enrolling at Michigan is like saying there is currently a little pressure on Saddam Hussein to disarm his military.
The expectations which Blanchard, an Ann Arbor native, took on by going to his hometown school were enormous. And while the Wolverines have struggled during his career, it has had nothing to do with Blanchard's play.
The versatile 6-foot-7 senior has been an All-Big Ten selection in each of his first three seasons at Michigan and is well on his way to making it four. Blanchard is currently averaging 17.4 points per game and 7.3 rebounds, good for fourth and sixth in the conference respectively, to lead the Wolverines to a 2-0 start in the Big Ten and nine straight wins overall after starting with six straight losses.
"LaVell Blanchard has been the catalyst for our turnaround," Michigan head coach Tommy Amaker said. "He has allowed everyone else to fit in nicely to the roles we have identified that are best for our ball club."
