March 5, 2012
Big Ten Release 
/ 2012 All-B1G Teams
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Four members of the 2012 Co-Big Ten Champion and No. 7-ranked Ohio State men's basketball team were recognized among the 2012 All-Big Ten men's basketball teams and award winners Monday, the conference office announced.
Sophomore Jared Sullinger was named 2012 First Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. He also was selected to the first team as a freshman. Classmate Aaron Craft was named the 2012 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Thad Matta, head coach of the Buckeyes, said any award earned during the 2012 Big Ten season is noteworthy.
“I’m extremely proud of the recognition our student-athletes earned this year,” Matta said. “Our league proved to be the best in the country time-and-time again. Earning a spot on any of the Top 3 All-Big Ten teams is a tremendous accomplishment. William, Jared, Deshaun and Aaron represented our team throughout the year and were rewarded with a third-consecutive conference title.”
Senior William Buford was selected to both the Big Ten coaches and conference media’s second team All-Big Ten squad. The coaches selected Deshaun Thomas to the second team while the media named him a third-teamer. Craft was an honorable mention selection by the coaches.
The coaches selected Craft as a unanimous member of the 2012 Big Ten All-Defensive Team and as the conference’s 2012 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Craft is currently No. 12 nationally in steals with 2.4 a game. He has 75 thefts this season, second most all-time in a season a Ohio State. His 148 career steals rates No. 10 all-time.
“I could not be happier for Aaron,” Matta said. “Being named the best defender in the toughest conference is remarkable. He has proven that hard work and dedication to getting better each day pays dividends.”
“I am humbled by this award,” Craft said. “It is certainly not an individual award. I play my best defense when my teammates are at their best. I know my teammates can rescue me if I get beat. It has been a blessing to achieve this accomplishment and share it with the rest of the guys on our team.”
Ohio State finished the regular season with an overall record of 25-6. The Buckeyes finished league play at 13-5 to share the regular season title with both Michigan State and Michigan.
Matta has claimed at least a share of five Big Ten regular season titles in eight seasons at Ohio State. The Buckeyes enter the annual league postseason tournament on a six-game winning streak at the event. Ohio State is 14-4 at the Big Ten tournament under Matta’s direction.
As selected by Media Voting Panel
FIRST TEAM
DRAYMOND GREEN, Michigan State
John Shurna, Northwestern
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Robbie Hummel, Purdue
SECOND TEAM
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Matt Gatens, Iowa
Trey Burke, Michigan
William Buford, Ohio State
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
THIRD TEAM
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan
Keith Appling, Michigan State
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State
HONORABLE MENTION
Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Jordan Hulls, Indiana
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Christian Watford, Indiana
Aaron White, Iowa
Zack Novak, Michigan
Branden Dawson, Michigan State
D.J. Byrd, Purdue
Lewis Jackson, Purdue
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin
Ryan Evans, Wisconsin
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Draymond Green, Michigan State
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Trey Burke, Michigan
COACH OF THE YEAR:
Tom Izzo, Michigan State
UNANIMOUS SELECTIONSIN ALL CAPS
2011-12 All-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Team
As selected by Big Ten coaches
FIRST TEAM
DRAYMOND GREEN, Michigan State
John Shurna, Northwestern
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Robbie Hummel, Purdue
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
SECOND TEAM
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Trey Burke, Michigan
William Buford, Ohio State
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State
Tim Frazier, Penn State
THIRD TEAM
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Matt Gatens, Iowa
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan
Keith Appling, Michigan State
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
HONORABLE MENTION
Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Christian Watford, Indiana
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Lewis Jackson, Purdue
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin
Ryan Evans, Wisconsin
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
CODY ZELLER, Indiana
Aaron White, Iowa
TREY BURKE, Michigan
Branden Dawson, Michigan State
Dave Sobolewski, Northwestern
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Draymond Green, Michigan State
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Josh Gasser, Wisconsin
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Draymond Green, Michigan State
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Cody Zeller, Indiana
SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR:
D.J. Byrd, Purdue
COACH OF THE YEAR:
Tom Izzo, Michigan State
UNANIMOUS SELECTIONS IN ALL CAPS
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Sam Maniscalco, Illinois; Jordan Hulls, Indiana; Matt Gatens, Iowa; Stu Douglass, Michigan; Austin Thornton,Michigan State; Ralph Sampson III, Minnesota; Brandon Richardson, Nebraska; Nick Fruendt, Northwestern; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Billy Oliver, Penn State; Robbie Hummel, Purdue; Rob Wilson, Wisconsin.
