The Big Ten MVP voters are having a tough time picking which Smilin’ Illini guard should get the award.

It’s about as tough as picking out your favorite moment from Mandy Patrick’s final halftime performance.

The MVP vote shouldn’t be so tough.

All three guards have had MVP-worthy seasons.

One has just been a little more valuable – junior guard Dee Brown.

When I think most valuable, I think of the player that gets a team a win.

That’s Brown.

The player that makes the clutch bucket.

That’s Brown.

He stole a victory from Michigan.

Literally.

When Illinois needs a shot to seal a victory, it’s Dee for three.

Look at Iowa.

He loves the primetime. He loves the limelight. He loves to talk.

He wants the game riding on his shoulders. Brown lives for the big shot.

“Everyone expects so much of him,” said Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber. “I tell him it is hard to be Dee Brown. He has created this image.”

This image did Brown all right Wednesday.

He helped Illinois win its third Big Ten title by halftime with five first-half threes.

“I hit my first two shots and got confidence,” Brown said.

Those threes also should have helped Brown wrap up the MVP award.

But they didn’t.

Brown has not gotten as much media attention about his play as Luther Head and Deron Williams.

That’s kind of shocking.

Brown is the media darling of the Illini.

He likes to talk. The media runs to listen to Brown give his opinion on anything.

Everyone quotes Brown. Yet no one talks about Brown.

That’s why it’s tough to be Dee Brown.

Head and Williams have dominated the national headlines this year.

Maybe its because Brown is modest.

If you ask Brown, he will say he is Illinois’ third best guard.

On a good day.

He has too much to improve on.

The MVP award?

He just wants to see somebody in orange and blue win it.

Brown thinks Head and Williams should share it.

It’s not a bad idea.

But adding Brown to the award would be a better idea.

Both Head and Williams deserve every accolade they will receive this year.

Head has been Illinois’ most consistent weapon. He had turned into a bona fide star in his senior year.

Weber calls Williams “Illinois’ rock.” Williams gets Illinois into its offense.

He can guard anyone.

Williams guarded Northwestern 6-foot-8 junior Vedran Vukusic and 5’9″ senior guard Michael Jenkins.

No one else in the Big Ten can do that.

But Brown’s the one who takes the clutch shots.

I have no doubt Head or Williams could hit the game-winning shots.

But that’s Brown’s forte. And no one seems to mention it.

There is always a bigger story in every game.

Brown’s big plays get thrown aside.

Except for the Michigan game.

Even when Brown drops 20 on Northwestern, he’s overshadowed.

People wanted to talk about the Reverend getting his first two assists in Big Ten play.

Or they want to talk about the lights going out during the post-game press conference.

And no, Brown did not shoot the lights out of Assembly Hall.

He came close though.

Illinois sports information student intern and former Daily Illini employee Travis Tate accidentally turned off the lights.

“What are we playing, hide and go seek?” Brown said in the darkness.

Yes Dee you are.

And maybe the MVP voters will find you.