Yes, underground, good observation - my assertion is Sullinger will have a season capable of 1st team All-Big Ten recognition (something like 16+ ppg, 8+ rpg, 55%+ from the field). I feel there is some bias against frosh in those awards - for instance, Tyreke Evans was only an HM All-American his frosh year at Memphis, despite having a phenomenal season. I remember how Mike Conley led the Big Ten in assists & steals, averaged over 11 ppg, had more steals than turnovers and he still didn't make the Big Ten coaches' first team - that was a 1st team All-Big Ten caliber season IMO. I think Sullinger will have the type of season that it won't leave room for doubt, but it's certainly possible that there could be 5 other outstanding upperclass candidates and they may get the nod due to the career achievement factor.
Sullinger does not have quite the same impact as Oden on the defensive end, but he's still a good defender & he's a lot better than Oden on the offensive end. Sullinger is likely to beat Oden's production in every stat in the boxscore other than blocked shots and rebounds, and he's probably not going to be very far off of Oden in those categories.
MNBoiler, you should review Sullinger's performance in the 3 major All-American games (McDonald's, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand) if you think he will struggle with bigger/more athletic players. Sullinger was the only player in his class to score 20 or more points in each of those 3 games (all of which were loaded with bigger/more athletic players in addition to many other future NBA players) and shot over 70%(!) from the field in those games (26-36). He averaged over 21 points & 7 rebounds in 3 games against the best of the best in his class, so he doesn't just put up big numbers against talent-barren high school teams.
Matta doesn't really have to do anything to "develop" Sullinger - he is ready to step in on Day 1 and be a star at the college level.
