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Biggest Surprise Playmakers in the Big Ten So Far This Season

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The Big Ten has always had prominent playmakers at several different positions. That is no different during the 2024-25 season thus far. If you look up and down all 18 teams in the league, you can find someone making big plays. With the 2024 part of the schedule closing, it’s time to look closely at some of the biggest Big Ten surprise playmakers. These players could be impactful transfer players or even some undervalued freshmen. Or even in some cases, a player who has been at a school for several years and is finally getting the chance to showcase their talent.

Without further delay here are some players that should be fun to keep an eye on going forward this season.

Biggest Big Ten Suprise Playmakers So Far This Season

Wisconsin’s John Tonje

Sure, John Tonje was pretty well-regarded after transferring from Missouri and Colorado State before that. Tonje has posted some eyebrow-raising stats, to say the least. That includes a 41-point performance in a win against Arizona. He has scored double-figures in 13 of the Badgers’ 14 games so far this season. Tonje has been a huge surprise playmaker this season. He could easily play his way onto an All-Big Ten team come season’s end.

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Ohio State’s Devin Royal

Devin Royal has to be one of the most important players that head coach Jake Diebler was able to keep. Royal could have transferred like many of his former teammates, but he stayed loyal. The Buckeyes are benefitting from the huge step he has made this season. He’s easily become the Buckeyes’ top scorer behind Bruce Thornton . With an average of 14.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, Royal is one of the top sophomore playmakers in the Big Ten.

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Penn State’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Penn State had plenty of hope with a strong returning lineup, led by Ace Baldwin Jr . He’s been a great floor general, but Yanic Konan Niederhauser has been the biggest surprise playmaker that the Nittany Lions have needed. The Northern Illinois transfer has proven he’s a top-level Big Ten player thus far. His average of 13 points and nearly six rebounds has helped Penn State to a 10-2 start to the season.

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Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler and Szymon Zapala

Michigan State needed a big step in its post play, and they are getting that from both Jaxon Kohler and Szymon Zapala . Kohler has been huge with his herculean effort at both ends of the floor, and Zapala using his 7-foot frame to impact at the defensive end. It gives others like Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson, along with the rest of Tom Izzo’s genius lineup to make magic happen.

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Kohler’s average of 8.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game has put him among one of the most important role players that the Big Ten has to offer. Not to mention watching Kohler can give A.J. Granger vibes, and he was a huge part of the Spartan’s 2000 National Championship, which remains the Big Ten’s most recent title.

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Nebraska’s Brice Williams

Nebraska once again struck gold in the transfer portal as they were able to grab Brice Williams from the Charlotte 49ers before the 2023-24 season. He’s increased his 13.4 scoring average from last season to nearly 20 points per game. He delivered for the Huskers during their Holiday trip to Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic, as he scored 32 against Hawaii in the semifinal before scoring 25 to lead Nebraska to win the event over Oregon State. Williams garnered MVP honors for the event. He certainly gives coach Fred Hoiberg a go-to scorer, much like Keisei Tominaga was last season.

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The post Biggest Surprise Playmakers in the Big Ten So Far This Season appeared first on Last Word On Basketball .