Player of The Week
Cam Mack, Guard, Nebraska
In leading Nebraska to their 70-56 upset win over Purdue, the 6-2 sophomore out of Austin, Texas recorded the first triple-double in Nebraska history. He posted a stat line of 11 points, 12 assists, and 10 boards in their match up with the Boilermakers. In an overtime loss to Indiana, Mack posted 15 points and 10 assists. For the week, he averaged 13 points and 11 assists. The first triple double in school history is an incredible accomplishment and for that he earns player of the week.
Who’s Hot
Daniel Oturu, Center, Minnesota
Only playing one game this week, Oturu played great in a tough matchup against #4 Ohio State. Minnesota upset the visiting Buckeyes 84-71 thanks to contributions from Oturu, as well as 35 points on an efficient 12-17 shooting by Marcus Carr. Oturu scored 14 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists. He also blocked 2 shots in a matchup against Ohio State standout Kaleb Wesson. Oturu showed he can do it all as a big man, and that fits into the current NBA play style so well. For the season Oturu averages a Big Ten leading 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. Oturu is one of the best sophomores in the Big Ten, and has dominated despite his team being 5-5. Oturu also ranks second in rebounds and blocks per game. Nationally, Oturu ranks seventh in both rebounds and blocks per game,
Luka Garza, Center, Iowa
In only one game this week versus Iowa state, Garza led his team to a victory. Iowa is off to a red hot 8-3 start thanks to the contributions from Garza. Versus Iowa State, Garza dropped 21 points on 9-16 shooting. Garza also grabbed 11 rebounds and rejected a shot. For the season Garza is averaging 22 points and 9.9 rebounds which ranks first and fourth in the Big Ten. Nationally, Garza ranks eighth in scoring. Garza has been efficient from the field shooting 55% while also shooting 43% from behind the 3-point line.
,
Lamar Stevens, Forward, Penn State
While struggling a little from the field this week, Stevens posted 2 double doubles to help Penn State go 2-0. In a huge upset over #4 Maryland; Stevens posted 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Against Alabama, Stevens really struggled in the first half, but played well in the second half. Scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds while also being a force on defense blocking 5 shots and having 2 steals as well. For the season, Lamar ranks fourth in the Big Ten points per game at 16.7, while also ranking second in steals per game at 1.5. Stevens is also grabbing around 8 rebounds per game and has been the leader of a talented Nittany Lion’s team.
Kofi Kockburn. Center, Illinois
The freshman 7-footer has been made weekly appearances on this list. Kofi ranks sixth in the Big Ten in points per game at 15.6 in only 25 minutes. Kofi also ranks second in rebounds per game at 10.5. In two games this week, Kofi played incredibly. Leading Illinois to a 2-0 record including a major upset over #5 Michigan. Against Michigan, Kofi totaled 19 points and 10 rebounds, while also blocking 4 shots. In the second matchup against ODU, Kofi compiled 11 points and 9 boards. For the week Kofi averaged 15 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Who’s Not
Sasha Stefanovic, Guard, Purdue
The sophomore starter has shoot poorly from the field all season long. Through 9 games he is shooting 40%, but in his last two games he is shooting 35% on 7-20 from the field. If Purdue hopes to stay competitive, they need Sasha to score more efficiently. Sasha has really struggled on the road shooting 22% from the field, 28% from 3-point range.
Zavier Simpson Guard, Michigan
In Michigan’s two upset losses this week, Simpson’s performance did not help the Wolverines at all. The senior guard shot 3-11 in a one point loss to Oregon, as well as a 4-14 shooting line against Illinois. The Wolverines will fall in the next poll due to the terrible shooting as a team. Simpson missed all three of his 3-point attempts through both games. One positive for Simpson is he did average 8.5 assists per game this week which is very solid, but his shooting from the field was terrible this week.
Top 5 Seniors
5. Jon Teske Center, Michigan
The 7-footer has played his best basketball this season. Ranking sixth in the Big Ten in blocks and ninth in rebounds per game. As his role has grown each season, Teske’s production has increased as well. This season Teske is averaging 13.4 points per game while also grabbing 8.5 rebounds and blocking 2.2 shots per game. Teske played well in the Wolverines loss to Illinois scoring 16 points and grabbing 7 boards. Against Oregon, Teske only shot 3 times, scoring 4 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in 24 minutes.
4. Mike Watkins Center, Penn State
After struggling off the court last season, Watkins has played incredibly this season. The 6’9” big man has put it all together on both sides of the court. Averaging 10 points on 57% shooting from the field. He is also averaging 9.5 rebounds which ranks sixth in the Big Ten and his shooting percentage ranks ninth. On defense, Watkins has been even better. Averaging a Big Ten leading 3.64 blocks per game which also ranks fifth nationally. He is also averaging 1.2 steals per game which is also top 20 in the Big Ten. Mike has played with great energy running in transition and just clogging up the paint. Penn State likes to feed him down low especially on alley-oops.
3. Cassius Winston Guard, Michigan State
The reigning Big Ten player of the year has seen his stats decrease so far this season but it still playing well. After shooting 50% from the field last season, Winston is shooting a career low 40%, while his 3-point percentage has dropped to 33% which is also the lowest of his career. He is still averaging about 17 points and 6 assists per game, but those totals are also down from last season. In Michigan State’s recent win over Oakland, Winston shot 3-13. Winston’s best game came against Georgia where he dropped 28 points on 10-16 shooting and also dished out 8 assists. He is too talented of a player to struggle like he has for much longer. As a team Michigan State is 7-3, so they have been able to get by with Winston not being very efficient.
2. Lamar Stevens Forward, Penn State
Lamar Stevens from Penn State is a very intriguing prospect to me. At 6’8”, Stevens has decent size and is a very solid rebounder. On offense Stevens is very underrated. In his Penn State career, Stevens is averaging 16 points 6 rebounds. His defense has improved this season but there is always room for more growth on that side of the court. His height puts him a little under the ideal size of a four but he has been a solid rebounder throughout his career. Stevens will need to improve his shot and free throw percentage. Throughout his collegiate career he’s shoot about 74% from the line, but through the first eleven games, Stevens is shooting 71%. His stats from behind the arc are not pretty due to him shooting 22% last season after shooting over 30% his first two years. Stevens is shooting 25% from behind the arc this season which is pretty low. So far in his senior season, he ranks fourth in the Big Ten in scoring at 16.7 points per game. He also ranks second in the Big Ten in steals with 1.5. Stevens has also showed improvement every season, and his ceiling is very high. Stevens is hoping to finally lead the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA tournament bid since 2011. As a sophomore, Lamar led the Lions to an NIT championship and was named the tournament’s most valuable player after scoring 96 points in 5 games, including 28 in the championship game against Utah.
1. Anthony Cowan Jr.- Guard, Maryland
The senior guard has been a proven scorer since his freshman year, averaging 10 points. His scoring totals went up his sophomore year and stayed the same his junior year. Cowan has improved his scoring numbers to 16.5 points per game. He is also shooting around 43% from the field and 38% from behind the arc, which are both career highs. He is a volume shooter and sometimes can get caught chucking 3’s, but has a good stroke from deep. The Penn State game is an example where he found his team down 10 at half, in the second half he took some difficult attempts. For the game, he shot 5-17 from the field and 3-9 from deep. Cowan will play at the next level and if he can become a little more efficient, he will become a solid player.