Sullinger Picks Johnson As Conference’s Best Player

The Boiling Point: Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger picked Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson as the Big Ten’s Player of the Year on Sunday.

Monday night everyone will find out who wins the Big Ten Player of the Year award. On Sunday, Ohio State freshman stud Jared Sullinger made his pick when asked by the Columbus Dispatch’s Doug Lesmerises.

"“JaJuan Johnson,” Sullinger said, nominating the Purdue senior big man. “No Robbie Hummel, consistent scoring, consistent rebounding, consistent winning. JaJuan Johnson has been doing it all for them.”"

Sullinger’s answer gave Lesmerises his answer for the ballot he sent into the league on Sunday night. Lesmerises thought Johnson passed Sullinger in the race as the Big Ten season progressed.

"Sullinger changes every part of Ohio State’s game with what he does inside, but Johnson does the same for the Boilermakers. To me, it was nearly a coin flip, but I think Johnson has been a little better late in the year, though Sullinger found his way again Sunday."

He went on to say he thought Johnson would edge Sullinger for the award. Also on the first team along with Johnson and Sullinger were Penn State’s Talor Battle, Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor and Ohio State’s David Lighty.

Purdue’s E’Twaun Moore nearly made his first team, but was a second-team choice. All of the awards will be announced at 7 p.m. EST today on the Big Ten Network.