Ohio State power forward E.J. Liddell has been named to the preseason All-Big Ten team, a conference release confirmed on Oct. 27. A year removed from his selection to the All-Big Ten First Team, Liddell again has high expectations surrounding him entering his junior season, as he was picked as one of 11 members by media covering the league.
He’s the lone Buckeye on the list, joined by preseason conference Player of the Year pick Kofi Cockburn, the talented big man from Illinois, fellow Fighting Illini starter guard Andre Curbelo, Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, Iowa forward Keegan Murray, Maryland guard Eric Ayala, Michigan center Hunter Dickinson and forward Caleb Houstan, Purdue big man Trevion Williams and guard Jaden Ivey and Rutgers wing Ron Harper Jr.
Cockburn, Dickinson, Ivey, Jackson-Davis and Liddell are all unanimous selections, making them the de facto first-team – though that would make for quite the sight out on the court.
Liddell averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game a season ago and is expected to lead the Buckeyes this season as their top offensive option after the departure of guard Duane Washington to the NBA. Head coach Chris Holtmann considers him one of the best players in the nation.
“He’s one of the best players in the country,” Holtmann said. “I really believe that. What he can’t do is lose sight of what has made him one of the best players in the country while at the same time continuing to grow and evolve parts of his game.”
