Player of the Week
Hannes Steinbach, Washington Huskies
Steinbach hasn’t just been one of the best freshmen in the Big Ten; he has been one of the best players in the conference. The German big man turned heads this week by becoming the first Division I freshman in at least 30 years to post at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 65% shooting from the field in three consecutive games. He capped the stretch with 22 points and a career-high 24 rebounds in Washington’s home finale against the USC Trojans, then followed it up with his 20th double-double of the season with 26 points and 13 rebounds at Oregon. Steinbach currently projects as a late-lottery selection and continues to strengthen his draft stock with his dominant production.
Who’s Hot
Alijah Arenas, USC Trojans
The son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, Alijah missed the early portion of the season recovering from a torn meniscus but has begun to find his rhythm. He scored 20 points against UCLA, added 19 points and seven rebounds on the road at Washington, and chipped in 14 points in limited minutes against No. 12 Nebraska. Arenas cooled off in the overtime rematch against Washington with six points, but his recent scoring performances highlighted the offensive upside that has made him one of USC’s most intriguing young pieces.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have been one of the most complete teams in the Big Ten all season and appear to be hitting their stride at the right time. The backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell provides consistent scoring and playmaking, while Braeden Carrington has emerged as a reliable three-point shooter. In the frontcourt, Nolan Winter, Andrew Rapp, and Aleksas Bieliauskas anchor the interior with strong two-way play. What makes Wisconsin particularly dangerous is the fact that every player in the rotation can space the floor, including the big men, who are all shooting above 33% from three. If the Badgers catch fire, they could become a dangerous team late in March.
Who’s Not
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan Wolverines
It may seem harsh to criticize a player on a 29-2 team sitting atop the rankings, but Elliott Cadeau’s recent slump is worth monitoring. Michigan’s size advantage has carried them throughout the season, but inconsistent guard play can quickly become an issue in March. Cadeau shot just 2-of-8 from the field this week and committed seven turnovers across games against Michigan State and Iowa. While the Wolverines are loaded with talent, Cadeau’s ability to push the pace and initiate offense will be a key factor in their postseason success.
Penn State Nittany Lions
It has been a long season in Happy Valley. Penn State’s campaign officially came to an end Wednesday night with a 76-66 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats. Expectations were modest entering the year as the Nittany Lions leaned heavily on younger players and lacked experienced returning talent, but the results were still disappointing. Freshmen Kayden Mingo, Ivan Juric, and Melih Tunca showed flashes of promise, giving the program hope moving forward. However, head coach Mike Rhoades now faces questions about the program’s direction as Penn State heads into the offseason.
Top 5 Big Ten Player of the Year Candidates
1. Nick Martinelli, Northwestern Wildcats
The Big Ten’s leading scorer has carried Northwestern offensively throughout the season. If Martinelli continues to improve his outside shot, where he finished the regular season shooting over 40% from three, his offensive ceiling becomes even higher.
2. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State Buckeyes
A four-year starter who has improved each season, Thornton serves as the glue for Ohio State on both ends of the floor. His steady leadership and two-way play have made him one of the conference’s most reliable guards.
3. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa Hawkeyes
Stirtz is the engine of Iowa’s offense and a classic floor general with modern shooting range. His ability to control the pace, create for teammates, and score from deep makes him one of the most well-rounded guards in the conference.
4. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan Wolverines
The AP Big Ten Player of the Year averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while anchoring Michigan’s frontcourt. He closed the regular season by tying his career high with five three-pointers in a 90-80 win over Michigan State, showcasing his versatility.
5. Braden Smith, Purdue Boilermakers
A first-team All-Big Ten selection for the third straight year, Smith is the only player in NCAA history with at least 1,800 points and 1,000 assists. His 8.7 assists per game rank second nationally, and his consistency has made him one of the most respected point guards in college basketball.