Michigan State basketball: Tyson Walker makes All-Big Ten second team

Tyson should’ve made the first team

Tyson Walker finished the regular season averaging 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. These stats are more than good enough to make the All-Big Ten first team, so why wasn’t he included? Maybe Michigan State’s below-average record held him back. Normally I would agree with this opinion, but it doesn’t make sense in this scenario. Let me explain.

One of the members of the All-Big Ten first team is Maryland’s Jahmir Young. He had an excellent season, and even had slightly better averages across the board this year than Walker. But if team record matters in this, which it seems like it did for Walker, then Young should not be included. Maryland not only finished 12th in the Big Ten, but they also lost to Michigan State twice this year. So if MSU’s record is holding Walker back, it should’ve held Young back even more.

Another player included in the first team that I don’t agree with is Terrence Shannon Jr.. Is he one of the top five players in the Big Ten? Most likely. But he missed one month of the Big Ten season due to a suspension, so that alone would exclude him from the first team for me.

The four other players on the first team include Zach Edey, Boo Buie, Braden Smith, and Marcus Domask. I think all of them should be above Walker in this voting. But I just can’t get over how Shannon and Young made the cut over Walker.

Regardless of that, making the second team is still a huge accomplishment. Walker should be extremely proud of what he’s for MSU this year. Now it’s time for him to prove everyone wrong and lead Michigan State on a postseason run.