Player of the Week
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana Hoosiers
Lamar Wilkerson delivered one of the most impressive stretches of the week, firmly putting himself on the NBA radar despite being 24 years old and Indiana’s broader struggles. A transfer from Sam Houston State under first-year head coach Darian DeVries, Wilkerson has emerged as a key piece of the Hoosiers’ revamped roster after an uneven start to the season. His breakout moment came in a dominant home win over Penn State, where he erupted for 44 points and 10 made threes, showcasing his efficiency and confidence. Since then, Wilkerson has had the green light from deep, averaging 3.6 made threes per game and cementing his status as one of the conference’s most dangerous shooters. His combination of movement shooting, shot creation, and fearlessness from range evokes shades of Caleb Love as an older prospect gaining NBA traction, and performances like this only strengthen his case as a legitimate name to track.
Who’s Hot
Freddie Dilione V, Penn State Nittany Lions
Freddie Dilione V entered the season as one of just three returning players for Penn State and the lone returning starter. Amid a full roster reset that brought in youth and transfers, retaining Dilione proved essential. Written off by many due to inexperience, the Nittany Lions have instead proven competitive, pushing teams like Michigan State, Michigan, and most recently Purdue, even without freshman standout Kayden Mingo.
Through fluctuating roles and injuries around him, Dilione has remained the constant. He has anchored the young roster and delivered late-game scoring, highlighted by a 25-point performance against Purdue. A natural pick-and-roll creator who can also space the floor, Dilione still has room to improve efficiency, but his all-around offensive skill set projects cleanly to the next level.
Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin’s recent surge made them impossible to leave off this list. A gutsy road win at Michigan, punctuated by late-game heroics from John Blackwell, signaled a shift in momentum. The Badgers have rallied behind senior Nick Boyd, who appears to have finally found a home in Madison after stops at Florida Atlantic and San Diego State.
After a brutal stretch that included a 30-point loss to Nebraska and a crushing overtime defeat to Villanova, Greg Gard adjusted by leaning into his bench. That move uncovered a spark in Braeden Carrington, who had seen limited action but buried seven three-pointers in a win at Minnesota. Wisconsin has now rattled off three straight conference wins, capped by a dramatic buzzer-beater, injecting new life into a veteran core with legitimate Big Ten aspirations.
Who’s Not
Oregon Ducks
Once viewed as a conference favorite and March threat, Oregon has spiraled into one of the Big Ten’s biggest disappointments. After a 4–0 start, the Ducks dropped five straight games, exposing defensive lapses and offensive stagnation. Following their first conference win, Oregon has now lost three more, including an embarrassing defeat to Rutgers in a game that required overtime despite a controversial late foul call in the Ducks’ favor.
The pick-and-roll tandem of Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle has been the lone bright spot, but beyond that, depth and consistency have been glaring issues. As the season hits its midpoint, Dana Altman will take any positive contributions he can get as Oregon searches for answers.
Christoph Tilly, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s frontcourt has been a concern for some time, and the Buckeyes attempted to address it by bringing in Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly, a 7-foot, 240-pound center from Berlin. While his measurables and West Coast Conference numbers were intriguing, the void inside has persisted.
Tilly remains a work in progress, but time is not on his side as a senior. This week, he became a clear target for opposing offenses, leading to early foul trouble and inconsistent minutes. Despite ideal size, he has struggled with physicality and rebounding, often appearing uncomfortable in space. After late-game miscues against Nebraska, a mixed showing versus Oregon, and ultimately losing the matchup to fellow German Hannes Steinbach in a loss at Washington, Tilly saw his role reduced. For a team trying to climb the standings, quiet stretches from a key rotation big are difficult to overcome.
Top 5 NBA Draft Prospects in the Big Ten
1. Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Steinbach jumps off the tape with his toughness and rebounding. An old-school interior presence in a modern body, he is more polished than expected and projects well long term.
2. Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Wagler checks key NBA boxes with positional size and shooting. A late bloomer with a quick release and improving handle, he is a high-upside swing who could pay off big at the next level.
3. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Lendeborg brings relentless energy and physicality. He fits the mold of a modern, plug-and-play big who raises a lineup’s floor without needing high usage. If the jumper continues trending upward, his upside grows considerably.
4. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
A polished decision-maker who scores efficiently and understands his role. While not an elite athlete, Stirtz’s feel and consistency are traits NBA teams covet in guards.
5. Aday Mara, Michigan
You cannot teach 7-foot-3 with touch. Mara offers rim protection, passing feel, and offensive skill, but the question remains whether he can survive defensively in space. If he proves he can, his ceiling is enormous.