October 13, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Mason Monheim (43) receives congratulations from linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 45-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday Phil Steele, one of the most well respected college football writer and analyst, released his annual All-Big Ten teams.

Eight Fighting Illini were named the list this year, compared to seven last season (five of them being Illinois players in the 2013 NFL Draft).

Here are the Fighting Illini who earned pre-season honors this year:

First Team

Jonathan Brown – LB – Senior

Second Team

Justin DuVernois – P – Junior

Third Team

None

Fourth Team

Mason Monheim – LB – Sophomore

If last year is any indicator, Illini players who have made this list go on to be drafted by NFL teams in the NFL Draft. However, what does they mean for Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase?

Before the 2012 season, Scheelhaase was named to Steele’s All-Big Ten fourth team behind Taylor Martinez (Nebraska), Braxton Miller (Ohio State), and Denard Robinson (Michigan), but was left off of the list in 2013.

Nathan Scheelhaase could have been left off Steele’s list because of injury problems or his down year in 2012, but this should serve as a motivation tool for the Illini senior this year. He will need to go out in 2013 and prove to the world that he is not only one of the best Big Ten QBs, but one of the better QBs in the nation.

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Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky: Yes, I know Trey Burke was last season’s National Player of the Year, but I don’t think he is the best Big Ten player in the 2013 NBA Draft. That honor goes to Victor Oladipo. As an Illinois fan, one thing I loved about Oladipo (besides saying his last name) was his high motor. Dude is a fighter and the play never stops with him. Just look at the game against Illinois at Champaign. Oladipo turns the ball over to Brandon Paul, but hustled down the court to get the swat on Paul’s “easy” layup.

Honestly? I’d love to see Oladipo on my Chicago Bulls, but that’s a pipe dream. He will be a top five pick this year and will most likely go at #5 to the Phoenix Suns. New head coach Jeff Hornacek said he wants to build through the draft and why not start with Oladipo?

In a weak draft year, he’s a can’t miss.

Austin: I know the popular answer is Trey Burke or Cody Zeller, and for rightful reasons. However, if I were drafting this year, I’m taking Victor Oladipo. Hands down,  he is so hard to defend, and when he is defending you, he is a brick wall. Oladipo is so athletic and strong, and at 6’5″ he can bring down anything in his range off the glass. He has a decent jump shot, but his passing needs a little refining.  That is about the only downside I have on him. He has the potential to be a perennial All Star, and if put in the right situation, he could be a guy a team could build around for the future.

Victor is a floor general, a workhorse on both ends of the court, and he should be a top 5 pick, but I’m assuming the other two Big Ten guys go first.  Someone in this year’s draft is going to get a bargain.

Ryan: The best Big Ten player available in the 2013 NBA Draft comes down to two players. On one hand you have Trey Burke, who played well enough to lead Michigan to the National Title game this past season, and along the way collected the Big Ten Player of The Year Award, the Naismith Player of the Year Award and the National Player of the Year Award from the AP, Sports Illustrated, and the NABC.

With so many accolades, it’s really hard to say there is anyone better coming out of the Big Ten than Burke, but I strongly feel that Victor Oladipo has just as good of a chance as Burke does at having a rock solid, lengthy NBA career. Oladipo is bigger at 6’4″, and can guard both the PG and SG in the NBA. He also collected his own catalog of awards by bringing home the Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, the National Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and he was also named a First Team All-American. In my book, these two players should be listed 1 and 1A. If you are an NBA GM selecting between these two I doubt you could go wrong either way, but personally, I’d probably draft Oladipo ahead of Burke, if only because of his superior defensive capability.

What do you think, Illini Nation? Who is the best Big Ten player in the 2013 NBA Draft?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

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Despite their record, the Indiana Hoosiers are coming off of a very successful offensive season in 2012. 2012 was offensive coordinator Seth Littrell’s first season at Indiana and he was able to help the Hoosiers improve many offensive stats.

In 2012, the Hoosiers led the Big Ten in passing offense and set records for passing yards (3,734), total offense 5,304), completions (331), and attempts (540). They also improved their scoring by 9.4 points per game.

Sep 8, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Cameron Coffman (2) passes the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a look at the averages they had per game and their rankings compared to the other schools in Division I:

• Total: 442.0 yards (34th overall)
• Passing: 311.2 yards (17th overall)
• Rushing: 130.8 yards (96th overall)

Indiana will be returning nine of their ten starters from last season and none are more important than junior quarterback Cameron Coffman.

Coffman was the Hoosiers’ main starter last season as he started in eleven out of twelve games for Indiana and was only benched once (game against Illinois). During his eleven starts, Coffman recorded 2,734 passing yards, fifteen touchdowns, and eleven interceptions.

Cameron Coffman should be named the starter for Indiana coming into the 2013 season, but it will be interesting to see how long his leash will be. This is because of redshirt sophomore Tre Roberson.

Roberson was named the starter coming into last season, but was replaced by Coffman during week 1 due to injury. He replaced Coffman in during the Illinois game last season, but there is no reason why Coffman will not start to begin 2013.

Another positive for the Indiana offense coming into the 2013 season is that they will be returning their their top six receiving leaders from a year ago.

The Hoosiers receiving core will be anchored by wide receivers Cody Latimer, Shane Wynn, Kofi Hughes, and tight end Ted Bolser. All four of these players were key pieces to the Indiana passing attack and will be chasing a historic milestone this season. All four of these receiving targets will have the chance to record 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards.

Because of their offense, don’t be surprised if Indiana wins more games than they did in 2012.

More Key Offensive Players:

•  Stephen Houston (redshirt senior running back) – 749 rushing yards in 2012
• D’Angelo Roberts (junior running back) – 300 rushing yards in 2012
• Duwyce Wilson (redshirt senior wide receiver) – 230 receiving yards in 2012

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Upcoming Writing Illini Big Ten Conference Football Previews:

• Indiana Hoosiers (Defense) – Thursday, June 6th
• Iowa Hawkeyes – Week of June 10th
• Minnesota Golden Gophers – Week of June 17th
• Purdue Boilermakers – Week of June 24th
• Michigan State Spartans – Week of July 1st
• Wisconsin Badgers – Week of July 8th
• Northwestern Wildcats – Week of July 15th
• Penn State Nittany Lions – Week of July 22nd
• Michigan Wolverines – Week of July 29th
• Nebraska Cornhuskers – Week of August 5th
• Ohio State Buckeyes – Week of August 12th
• Illinois Fighting Illini – Week of August 19th
• Big Ten Season Predictions – Week of August 26th