Big Ten Alum In NBA Playoffs

There are quite a few former-Big Ten players in the NBA playoffs this year. Let's see how the numbers break down:

Illinois: 3
Iowa: 2
Michigan State: 2
Minnesota: 1
Ohio State: 4
Purdue: 2
Wisconsin: 1

Three starters from the 2005 Fighting Illini squad that was the NCAA runner-up, are currently fighting for a world championship.

West
No. 1 seed Los Angeles Lakers

Shannon Brown (Michigan State 2006): In 18 games with the Lakers this year (traded from Charlotte), Brown is averaging 3.2 points per game in 7-8 minutes on the floor.

No. 3 seed San Antonio Spurs

Michael Finley (Wisconsin 1995): Finley has played in 81 of 82 games this year, contributing just under 10 points per game (9.7) and playing nearly 30 minutes.

No. 4 seed Portland Trail Blazers

Greg Oden (Ohio State 2007): Oden is still not living up to his No. 1 draft pick, but he has been healthy as of late, playing in 61 games. Oden is averaging 8.9 points per game in 21-and-a-half minutes.

Joel Pryzbilla (Minnesota 2000): The lone Golden Gopher in the playoffs has played in all 82 games this season, averaging 5.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in nearly 24 minutes per outing.

No. 5 seed Houston Rockets

Brian Cook (Illinois 2005): Cook, after being traded from the Orlando Magic, has played in 9 games, putting up just 1.3 points in about 3 minutes.

Carl Landry (Purdue 2007): Landry has been a nice contributor to the Rockets, playing roughly 21 minutes in each of his 69 games played. The former Boilermaker is scoring 9.3 points and coming down with 5 rebounds a game.

No. 7 seed New Orleans Hornets

Ryan Bowen (Iowa 1998): The Iowa alum is still hanging around the NBA. In 21 games, Bowen is averaging 12-and-a-half minutes, adding 2.2 points per game.

Morris Peterson (Michigan State 2000): Peterson's numbers are down this year as he's only played in 43 games, averaging just 4.4 points in 12 minutes.

No. 8 seed Utah Jazz

Kosta Koufos (Ohio State 2008): In 48 games this year, Koufos is averaging 4.7 points in nearly 12 minutes per game.

Deron Williams (Illinois 2005): In 68 games, Williams is playing nearly 37 minutes while putting up 19.4 points and 10.7 assists per game.

East

No. 4 seed Atlanta Hawks

Othello Hunter (Ohio State undrafted): Hunter only stepped into 16 games, averaging just 1.4 points in under 6 minutes.

No. 5 seed Miami Heat

Daequan Cook (Ohio State 2007): Cook has stepped into 75 games this year, averaging 9.2 points in just over 24 minutes per game. Cook has been a great addition to the Heat who have recovered from a VERY forgettable season last year.

Luther Head (Illinois 2005): Head is back in the playoffs, this time with the Heat. He has only played in 10 games with Miami, averaging 4.3 points in 17-and-a-half minutes.

No. 6 seed Philadelphia 76ers

Reggie Evans (Iowa undrafted): Another Hawkeye grad, Evans has played in nearly every game (79) although only averaging 3.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in almost 13 minutes.

No. 7 seed Chicago Bulls

Brad Miller (Purdue undrafted): Miller is in his second stint with the Bulls after being traded by the Los Angeles Kings. Miller has played in 27 games with Chicago, playing 27-and-a-half minutes, while scoring 11.4 and grabbing 7.4 rebounds.