Indiana's Cody Zeller is surrounded by teammates Jonny Marlin (10) and Peter Jurkin in a scrimmage game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 in Bloomington, Ind., during Hoosier Hysteria, as the NCAA college basketball team began its season. (AP Photo/Bloomington Herald-Times, David Snodgress)

Indiana sophomore center Cody Zeller was named the Big Ten’s preseason player of the year, as selected by a media panel that covers the league on a regular basis.

Zeller, who stands 6-foot-11, averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds last year. He was the Big Ten’s freshman of the year last year. Zeller was the only unanimous selection.

Joining Zeller on the first team are Michigan sophomore guard Trey Burke, Ohio State junior guard Aaron Craft, Ohio State junior forward DeShaun Thomas and Penn State senior guard Tim Frazier.

The media panel also selected the top three teams. Indiana was tabbed the favorite, followed by Michigan and Ohio State. I participate on that panel and selected Zeller, Burke, Thomas, Frazier and Iowa’s Devyn Marble for the first team.

Iowa senior center Morgan Johnson was picked for the women’s preseason coaches’ team. She was the only Iowa player to earn preseason honors. The coaches’ team members include: Minnesota guard Rachel Banham, Nebraska forward Jordan Hooper, Ohio State guard Tayler Hill, Penn State guard Alex Bentley, Penn State guard Maggie Lucas and Purdue guard Courtney Moses. Hooper, Hill, Lucas, Bentley  and Nebraska guard Lindsey Moore were named on the preseason list.

The coaches named Hill and Bentley as co-players of the year. Hill was picked by the media.

The coaches selected Penn State to win the league, followed by Nebraska and Purdue. The media picked Penn State, Nebraska and Ohio State in that order.