The Big Ten Network recognizes the best of Big Ten sports in 2008-09 with the second annual Big Ten Network Awards. The announcement of two prestigious Big Ten Conference awards, the Suzy Favor Award, for the conferences best female student-athlete, and the Jesse Owens Award, for the best male student-athlete, highlighted the evenings festivities. Fan voting on www.BigTenNetwork.com determined the winners in three categories, including Best Finish, Men's Coach of the Year, and Women's Coach of the Year.

Best Finish of the Year WINNER: Illinois vs Penn State - Men's Basketball (March 5, 2009)	ALSO NOMINATED: Northwestern vs Minnesota - Football Central Michigan vs Purdue - Football Wisconsin vs Michigan State - Football Michigan vs Purdue - Football Ohio State vs Iowa Big Ten Field Hockey Conference Tournament Title Game Penn State vs Iowa - Football Purdue vs Ohio State - Womens Basketball Conference Tournament Title Game Purdue vs Michigan State - Women's Basketball Minnesota vs Michigan - Women's Basketball Ohio State vs Northwestern - Men's Basketball Illinois vs Northwestern - Men's Basketball
Men's Coach of the Year WINNER: JOE PATERNO - Penn State Football	ALSO NOMINATED: Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo Michigan State men's soccer coach Joe Baum Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz
Women's Coach of the Year WINNER: RUSS ROSE - Penn State Volleyball	ALSO NOMINATED: Illinois women's gymnastics coach Bob Starkell Northwestern women's lacrosse coach Kelly Amonte Hiller Northwestern women's tennis coach Claire Pollard Ohio State women's basketball coach Jim Foster.
Breakout Performance of the Year WINNER: SHONN GREENE- Iowa Junior Running Back	ALSO NOMINATED: Darryl Clark - Penn State football Samantha Prahalis - Ohio State basketball Monica Perry - Illinois softball Terrelle Pryor - Ohio State football Evan Turner - Ohio State basketball
Most Dominating Performance WINNER: JUICE WILLIAMS - Illinois Junior Quarterback vs MICH   (October 4, 2008)	ALSO NOMINATED: Megan Hodge - Penn State volleyball (Final Four, 12/18 and 12/20/08) Deshawn Sims - Michigan basketball (Big Ten Tournament, 3/12/09) Brittany Weil - Iowa softball (10/4/08) Derrick Williams - Penn State football (9/27/08) Alex Wimmers - Ohio State baseball (4/1/09)
Most Courageous Performance WINNER: JAMELLE CORNLEY - Penn State Senior Forward	ALSO NOMINATED: Robbie Hummel - Purdue basketball Jaevery McFadden - Wisconsin football Mark Mitera - Michigan hockey Joe Paterno - Penn State football Allie Southard - Penn State gymnastics
Game of the Year WINNER: Northwestern vs Michigan State - Men's Basketball (January 21, 2009)	ALSO NOMINATED: Kansas vs. Michigan State - men's basketball (3/27/09) Michigan vs. Duke - men's basketball (12/6/08) Michigan vs. Purdue - football (11/1/08) Michigan State vs. Connecticut - men's basketball (4/4/09) Michigan State vs. Penn State - men's basketball (2/1/09) Minnesota vs. Wisconsin - men's basketball (1/15/09) Penn State vs. Iowa - men's basketball (3/7/09) Penn State vs. Iowa - football (11/8/08) Penn State vs. Nebraska - women's volleyball Final Four (12/18/08) Penn State vs. Ohio State - football (10/25/08) Ohio State vs. Wisconsin - football (10/4/08) Wisconsin vs. Michigan - football (9/27/09)
Men's Team of the Year WINNER: Michigan State Men's Basketball	ALSO NOMINATED: Iowa football Iowa wrestling Michigan State soccer Ohio State tennis Penn State football
Women's Team of the Year WINNER: Northwestern Lacrosse	ALSO NOMINATED: Indiana swimming & diving Iowa field hockey Michigan gymnastics Northwestern tennis Penn State volleyball

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