Caitlin Clark ? 
Keaton Wagler, Big Ten Player of the Year?
- Status
My brother in law used a Kyle Anderson comp the other day.
Feel like Keaton is a little quicker and more athletic. For the booker comp, I feel like booker is way more athletic than Keaton.
The only reasonable comp is…Larry Bird.
Uh Jon we've been had that conversation.
Chances of player of the week this week 25 pts 5 reb 6.5 assists. Big win against Nebraska on the road
Historically, yes, and I expect the same for Wagler, but NIL does leave the door open for guys who were previously surefire first round picks to return to college instead (in the right set of circumstances).
Because each year spent in college is one less year he can play in the NBA, and whatever he makes his last season in the NBA will be way more than what he could make in college next year.
He’s 6’6 Steph Curry. Doesn’t wow you with athleticism but skill wise just kills you. I think a player like him is the Steph Curry effect. Kids grow up watching Steph and try to emulate his skills. Players can see they can still dominate even without superb athleticism thru elite skill. And if you shoot that strong from 3, and are tall, handle the ball without turning it over, you’re gonna be a load to handle. I think the only way Wagler is bothered is putting an elite athlete that is strong and quick who can play underneath him. Big 10 doesn’t have many guys like that but the NBA has a lot
Dude’s literally gonna be a top5 pick, at worst top10. You’re literally turning down MILLIONS, risking injury… plus each year, the older you get the more you hurt your draft stock. He’s literally shown everything at this point.
Last edited:
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Illini great, EJ weighs in:
2026, Eddie (he corrected himself w/another tweet)
2026, Eddie (he corrected himself w/another tweet)
Last edited:
201154JC
- Rockford, IL
Wishful thinking on my part.
Dude’s literally gonna be a top5 pick, at worst top10. You’re literally turning down MILLIONS, risking injury… plus each year, the older you get the more you hurt your draft stock. He’s literally shown everything at this point.
Why the question mark?
Watch the BT give back-to-back co-POTW to Fears and Wagler!
Because none of that is guaranteed coming back.
I can see a case for several guys and having 18 teams makes it more difficult. And I suspect there's some slight bias towards players that have been in the conference longer. If you get two or three guys with no separation, do they give it a senior? Dunno. Still a lotta basketball left before they make picks.
Anyone questioning the legitimacy of Keaton POY (both in the big ten and nationally) should check this out: https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&year=2026&start=20251101&end=20260501
If you’re still not convinced hit the 2026 conf only link on the top of that page.
Not only are his counting stats great, he’s one of if not the most efficient players in the country.
If you’re still not convinced hit the 2026 conf only link on the top of that page.
Not only are his counting stats great, he’s one of if not the most efficient players in the country.
And no freshman has ever won the award.
It think the bigger potential issue than bias towards more familiar players is that there will be some reluctance to give it to a freshmen, because there is already a separate award for freshmen. Kind of like how there's reluctance to give the MLB MVP award to a pitcher because pitchers have the Cy Young award (which I also think is bad logic). If Wagler is winning B1G FOTY, there will be at least some portion of voters who want to reward another player.
Has there ever been a case where a team won the big ten title with the best player on that team a freshman who did not win the award???
When’s the last time any Big Ten freshman was this good?
Magic Johnson?
I guess D’Angelo Russell was pretty good. Consensus first team All American:
I think Wagler’s definitely the best since 2016:
Last edited:
And even he didn’t win player of the year. Tough when you’re a freshman.
- Status