Big Ten debates continue ...

The fuss over the Big Ten Player of the Year keeps brewing. \nThe Big Ten will announce its awards today -- All-Big Ten teams and individual honors -- but coaches let their thoughts fly Monday. \nIllinois' Bill Self touted junior guard Frank Williams. Michigan State's Tom Izzo flaunted sophomore guard Marcus Taylor. IU's Mike Davis boasted about sophomore forward Jared Jeffries. \nAll three, as well as Ohio State senior guard Brian Brown and Wisconsin junior guard Kirk Penney are believed to have a shot at picking up the honor, won by Williams last season. \nThe award is voted on by media and coaches, but has been split only three times since the media began voting in 1987.\nJeffries appeared to have the award in his grasp early in the Big Ten season, but an ankle injury slowed his play and dented his chances. \nDavis is still campaigning on Jeffries' behalf and was at it again Monday, saying IU wouldn't have won a share of the Big Ten crown and arguing that last season's Big Ten Freshman of the Year helped players like seniors Jarrad Odle and Dane Fife have their best seasons in Bloomington.\n"I think what we've accomplished this year was (because of Jeffries)," Davis said. "If he doesn't go down with an ankle injury, where are we today? Outright champs, I think. I think he's definitely player of the year."\nJeffries' average dipped to 15.1 points per game, seventh in the Big Ten, and his rebounds fell to 7.9 still good for second in the league.\nWhile Jeffries missed IU's loss to Wisconsin and struggled to average just more than eight points per game since the injury, Williams and Taylor caught fire. \nWilliams led the Fighting Illini to eight consecutive victories and a share of the Big Ten title. He's averaging 13.4 points and 3.8 assists per game in the conference. Should Williams win, he would become the third player to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Ohio State's Jim Jackson did in 1991 and 1992, and Michigan State's Mateen Cleaves repeated the feat in 1998 and 1999. \n"A month ago, Jeffries did deserve it, no question about it," Self said. "He was the best player on the best team at that time. But Frank has elevated his game. I know where my vote's going."\nTaylor exploded for career highs in back-to-back games, with 32 in a win at Ohio State Feb. 26 and 34 against Iowa Saturday. He finished as the Big Ten's top scorer at 17.7 points per game and the leader in assists at 5.0 per game. \n"For the most part, Jeffries has had an incredible run this year and he struggled a little late," Izzo said. "I think Marcus is deserving of consideration because of what he's done for this team and where he's taken this team."\nMinnesota in?\nBig Ten coaches agree that five teams -- Wisconsin, Ohio State, Illinois, IU and Michigan State -- are locks for NCAA Tournament berths. But the wild card is Minnesota, which has beaten IU and Ohio State, but lost four of its last six, including letting a late lead slip away at home against Illinois Sunday. \nGolden Gopher coach Dan Monson is worried, and has expressed his concern since the Gophers began to struggle. \n"Our 9-7 record is normally one people would take in a heartbeat before the season," Monson said. "But it's one people are scoffing at right now"