The Big Ten has a strong collection of basketball talent this year. Four teams are Final Four contenders and most, save for the bottom of the league, expect to make the NCAA tournament.

The league's depth made it almost impossible to select a preseason All-Big Ten team. So while this isn't the team submitted to the Big Ten offices - I judged my team based on value to his team versus raw talent - this is one man's guess as to who the top five players in the Big Ten are going to be this season.

Got a beef? Argue it in the comments.

Demetri McCamey, Illinois: The senior guard - and my personal vote for Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year - could have had a case to be the Big Ten Player of the Year last year had Evan Turner not been around. But the Ohio State star was and McCamey had to settle for being the second-best Big Ten player from St. Joseph in Chicago. Not anymore. Averaged 15.1 points and 7.1 assists last year. He’s got a stronger supporting cast around him, but McCamey is going to make the Illini’s season depending on his play.

JaJuan Johnson, Purdue: When Robbie Hummel went down last year with a knee injury last year, the Boilermakers looked to Johnson to fill his void. Now that Hummel is out for the year again, Johnson will be asked to carry more of a load in his senior year. The senior averaged 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game a season ago. He played with the US Men’s Select national team in 2010 and is the league’s best defensive player.

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State: The freshman, tabbed as a Top 5 player nationally in high school last year, might come in and be the best big man in the league immediately. The two-time Mr. Basketball in Ohio, Sullinger is expected to come in and be a star almost immediately for the Buckeyes, who are replacing Turner. The 2010 High School Naismith winner, he has a chance to reach Greg Oden levels as an Ohio State rookie this year.

Talor Battle, Penn State: The senior is stuck on a sub-par team, which means he has to essentially carry Penn State if it wants to win games. But Battle’s skill set makes him one of the best players in the league. He is a good defender and better shooter. Plus, he has the ability to play point guard. Without him, Penn State would be the Big Ten’s worst team.

Jon Leuer, Wisconsin: Leuer was on his way to being one of the top players in the Big Ten a season ago before breaking his wrist and missing nine games during the league season. He still averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and had 32 blocks last year. He might also be the league’s most versatile big man, having the capability to shoot from long range - 39.1 percent from the three-point line last year - as well as play inside at 6-foot-10.

Others considered: Kalin Lucas, Michigan State; Draymond Green, Michigan State; Durrell Summers, Michigan State; E’Twaun Moore, Purdue; John Shurna, Northwestern; William Buford, Ohio State; Maurice Creek, Indiana; Mike Davis, Illinois

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein