WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsTaylor named pre-season All-Big Ten, Badgers picked second

PARK RIDGE, Ill. – Wisconsin senior Jordan Taylor has been tabbed preseason All-Big Ten, as voted on by a panel of Big Ten media, and the Wisconsin men's basketball team was predicted to finish second behind 2011 champion Ohio State.

The media also tabbed Buckeye sophomore Jared Sullinger as the Preseason Player of the Year. Behind Ohio State and Wisconsin, Michigan State was selected to finish third. Joining Taylor and Sullinger on the Preseason All-Big Ten team are Michigan State's Draymond Green, Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe, Purdue's Robbie Hummel and Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor.

Wisconsin welcomes back two starters to its lineup after earning its 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth last season. The Badgers advanced to the Sweet 16, finishing the season with a 25-9 overall record. Taylor, a Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason All-American and Preseason Wooden Award candidate, returns to lead Wisconsin after posting 18.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game a season ago.

This marks the third time in four seasons that Wisconsin has had a preseason All-Big Ten selection, along with Marcus Landry (2008-09) and Jon Leuer (2010-11). The Badgers have earned a total of nine postseason first-team All-Big Ten selections in the last 10 seasons, including Taylor last season.

The complete 2011 Preseason All-Big Ten Team and preseason poll can be found below.

2011-12 BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Michigan State

2011-12 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Draymond Green, Michigan State
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Robbie Hummel, Purdue
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin

2011-12 PRESEASON BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State