A year ago, a faction of Big Ten fans thought Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis could push Zach Edey for Big Ten Player of the Year honors.

Indiana’s win at Purdue in late February, which completed the Hoosiers’ regular-season sweep of the Boilermakers, only solidified the sentiment, particularly for the fans in Bloomington. But it wasn’t to be. For as great as Jackson-Davis was, he didn’t reach Edey’s level, at least in the eyes of voters (media and coaches) for conference post-season awards, and the Purdue big man took home the Big Ten’s top individual honor.

The Boilermaker center is looking for a repeat this season — something only 3 other B1G players have accomplished. And unlike last year, there seems to be very, very little doubt he’ll be able to do so. In many other seasons, however, several others would be deserving. Let’s handicap the race as we hit the mid-way point of the Big Ten season:

Zach Edey, Purdue

Edey isn’t only the leader for Big Ten Player of the Year, but is far and away the pick for national individual awards too, being the odds-on frontrunner to repeat his sweep of all 6 of the major national honors.

It’s easy to explain why: The 7-4 senior center is the country’s most influential player; he’s its most efficient offensive player, averaging 22.9 points per game while hitting on better than 62% of his shots (and nearly 75% from the free throw line, where he leads the country in attempts). Plus, he averages 11.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, showing his incredible growth as a defensive player and rim protector. And he makes everyone around him better; he is the reason why Purdue is No. 2 in the country, a potential Final Four participant, and a frequent pick as a national champion.

It’d be shocking if Edey isn’t the unanimous pick as the Big Ten POY, assuming he stays healthy, of course. He’s the best player on the best team.

Boo Buie, Northwestern

For as valuable as Edey is to Purdue, Boo Buie might be equally so to Northwestern.

The Wildcats’ senior point guard is responsible for NU’s biggest victories this season — and perhaps the 2 biggest victories for any team in the Big Ten so far this season — as he directed Northwestern to wins over then-No. 1 Purdue and then-10th-ranked Illinois. In the 2 overtime wins, Buie combined for 60 points, 16 assists (and only 2 turnovers), 7 rebounds and 5 steals. He was nearly impossible for both the Boilermakers and the Fighting Illini to even slow down. Buie is averaging 18.5 points and better than 5 assists per game, with more than twice as many assists than turnovers. He might be one of the conference’s best leaders, too, having the experience of helping Northwestern from an also-ran a few years ago to a constant presence as a Big Ten threat.

Assuming the Wildcats overcome their one résumé blemish, a stunning home loss to Chicago State, and Buie will have Northwestern dancing again this March.

Jahmir Young, Maryland

Jahmir Young is a matchup nightmare for most.

Iowa learned that — again — on Wednesday night when the Hawkeyes’ attempt at a double-team resulted in the Maryland point guard nuking the defense on his way to a game-winning layup. Young is so quick; it’s almost impossible to slow him down in the full-court and extremely difficult in the half-court, even when an opponent throws extra bodies at him. The senior is averaging 20.8 points and 5 assists per game.

But more than simply the statistics, he’s the reason why the Terrapins have a chance to make a 2nd straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Without his scoring punch, and ability to jump-start what can be an otherwise limited offense, Maryland would be stuck going nowhere. Instead, the Terps are pushing in the right direction, having won 2 straight road games, after they won only 1 Big Ten road game last season.

Tyson Walker, Michigan State

Even though Michigan State has had a herky-jerky first half of the season, the Spartans remain a threat in the Big Ten — and to most in the country — because Tyson Walker is capable of delivering a scoring barrage that can topple anyone.

The shooting guard is averaging 19.7 points per game, with an offensive arsenal that allows him to hit from the outside (40% from 3-point range) and get to the rim, despite his somewhat diminutive 6-1 stature. Walker tends to deliver in the biggest moments too, like his 35-point outburst in the season-opener vs. James Madison or his 25 vs. Baylor.

Michigan State, which seems headed in the right direction lately, is likely to go as Walker goes if it’s to push to the NCAA Tournament.

Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

There is absolutely no chance that Terrence Shannon Jr. will win Player of the Year.

His on-court performance is deserving of recognition, but his off-court issues — he’s facing charges stemming from an alleged incident in Lawrence, Kansas in September — cloud everything else he’s accomplishing this season. And rightly so. Illinois had temporarily suspended its star wing, before he sought, and was granted, a temporary injunction against the school, allowing him to return to the court. There, he’s been a dynamic player, averaging 20.5 points for an Illinois team that might be the most well-equipped to challenge Purdue for Big Ten supremacy.

Let others debate whether Shannon should be playing. But the situation might prevent him from receiving the necessary votes for first-team All-Big Ten honors, either.