Player of the Week:
Ace Bailey (Fr., Rutgers)
The freshman phenom Ace Bailey strikes again after putting on his best offensive performance of the year against the Nittany Lions. The Freshman of the Week fell short against the blue and white despite his stellar 30 point performance on only two missed shots (13-15). While it’s a couple of points off his career high of 39, the Scarlet Knight has never looked so fluid on offense all game long. While a lock as a top three pick in this year’s NBA Draft, one of Bailey’s most common criticisms is his shot selection. At 6’ 10 with all the athleticism and skills in the world, Bailey can easily become infatuated with taking difficult shots simply because he has the ability to make them. It may be true that all elite scorers aren’t afraid to shoot with a hand in their face, but Bailey can take it to an extreme at times. However, that isn’t what the world saw Monday night against Penn State. Bailey played within the rhythm of the offense, forcing considerably less shots than usual and allowed the game to come to him. He was still knocking down baseline turnaround faders and sizing up defenders before pulling up from deep, but none of it felt rushed. Bailey has never looked as polished both off the ball and as a shot creator as he did Monday night and if he continues to perform like this, the Scarlet Knight could be a lock for the No. 1 overall pick.
Who’s Hot:
Dawson Garcia (Sr., Minnesota)
Dawson Garcia has been playing the best basketball of his career and that continued on Thursday against Michigan. The Golden Gopher called game and sent the Wolverines packing after an electrifying pull-up three from the logo at the buzzer in overtime that sent the crowd in Williams Arena into a frenzy. Garcia finished the game as his team’s leader in points, rebounds, steals and blocks and gave Michigan its first loss in conference play this season. Whether it was him relentlessly attacking the rim, forcing turnovers or even threading the needle right through the Wolverines defense, his impact was felt on every level. It’s not every day you see a forward who has the physicality to play like a traditional four, but has the ability to handle the ball and pull up from 30 feet out. Garcia has been one of the most polished players in all of college basketball this year and games like this should make it abundantly clear to scouts across the league that a talent that blooms late still has the potential to make waves at the pro level.
Vladislav Goldin (Sr., Michigan)
Vladislav Goldin has been on a tear for over a month, shooting over 50% from the field in 13 straight games for the Wolverines, but that ended after he noticeably struggled against Minnesota. He shot just 33% from the field (5-15) and his troubles played a large role in Michigan’s shortcomings against the Golden Gophers. But like the saying goes, it’s not how hard you get hit, it’s how hard you get hit and keep moving and that’s exactly what Goldin did. Refusing to lose two straight games in overtime, he single handedly lifted his team past the Wildcats and put on one of the best performances all season long. Goldin wrapped up the game with 31 points on three made triples and a season high four blocks. He’s always been a defensive menace but for a seven footer who never attempted a three in his career before this season to knock down three straight in the first half is almost unheard of. Goldin has the ability to space the floor while being able to have the paint completely under his control, the two main traits that everyone wants in a modern day center.
Who’s Not:
Derik Queen (Fr., Maryland)
Everyone has a bad game every once in a while, but the concerns around Derik Queen’s recent string of lackluster performances are becoming louder. In all of 2024, the Terrapin only had one game where he failed to break double digit points and he only played 20 minutes in that game. In 2025, Queen has scored in single figures four out of six games and hasn’t looked like the same player he was before the new year. His finishing around the rim has worsened by a wide margin and he seems less explosive when trying to attack the basket. In his most recent game against Nebraska, the freshman center failed to make a single shot and did little on the opposite end of the court to warrant keeping him in. It’s typical for freshmen to struggle and have to adapt, but for someone like Queen who was so dominant in the first half of the season to become a near liability is not something that occurs every day. The Terrapins are still able to win games without Queen at his best but they won’t be making any deep postseason runs unless he can get his act together.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
With four consecutive losses, the Cornhuskers are tied for the longest active losing streak in the Big Ten with no signs of turning things around any time soon. Nebraska failed to overcome a Maryland team with a struggling Derik Queen, allowed Iowa to score 97 points and worst of all, allowed Purdue to torch it for 104 points and lost by 36. For a team that spent the majority of the first half of the season as a top 50 defense, the fall off on that end of the floor is especially alarming. Brice Williams is Nebraska’s only consistent and efficient volume scorer and when he struggles to produce on that end, there is no else to pick up the slack. The Cornhuskers are rated 136th in scoring offense and only have three players averaging double figures a night. Unless Nebraska can rapidly fix its problems on both ends of the floor, its impressive start to this season will soon be buried by a mountain of losses to more polished Big Ten foes.
Top 5 Shooting Guards in the Big Ten
5. Wesley Yates III (So., USC)
Wesley Yates lll started the season off the season with USC on the bench and showed glimpses of being an exceptional scorer. Fast forward to now and since Yates III has been inserted into the starting lineup, he has posted numbers of 14.2 points per game on great all around efficiency. He has come up big for the Trojans in numerous games, most recently when he shot nearly perfect (7-8) from the field against the Fighting Illini and alongside Desmond Claude, led his team to take down one of the best teams in the country. Yates III has some of the best potential in his class and will only rise on this list in time.
4. Josh Dix (Jr., Iowa)
Josh Dix has taken substantial leaps every season in his collegiate career and continues to improve night in and night out. The junior shooting guard is averaging 14.8 points on the season and shoots nearly 49% from deep on five attempts per game. Against Nebraska, the Hawkeye stayed true to his name, scoring 31 points on seven made threes to secure the win in overtime. Dix is one of the most efficient scorers in the Big Ten and one of the best pure shooters in college basketball this season.
3. John Blackwell (So., Wisconsin)
John Blackwell continues to propel the Badgers to success as one of the best scorers in the Big Ten. The sophomore guard is averaging just over 16 points per game on the season and is one of the strongest finishers inside the paint at the guard position. Blackwell has top-notch speed and athleticism and is consistently able to get to his spots and score. In three of his last five games, he has scored 20 points or more, including a 32 point performance to blow Iowa out the water. Blackwell has a pro-level skill set and if he declares, is sure to hear his name called on draft night.
2. Bruce Thornton (Jr., Ohio State)
Bruce Thornton has been one of the most consistent stars in the Big Ten and he continues to elevate his game and rise to the occasion. The Buckeyes this season have been on the decline, struggling to match up against other Big Ten teams, but without Thornton, they may be at the bottom of the conference. He is averaging 17.4 points per game on 50-40-84 shooting splits, all while being one of the best playmakers in his conference. He makes up for a lack of size with overwhelming skill on both ends of the court and still has room to reach even higher ceilings.
1. Kasparas Jakucionis (Fr., Illinois)
Jakucionis has spent time at both the one and the two swapping with fellow guard Kylan Boswell, but ends up on the shooting guard list as he has played more time at this position recently. The Fighting Illini has made himself a lock as a lottery pick on this year’s draft as a guard with virtually no flaws in his game. He leads his team in points and assists per game and may potentially finish his freshman year in the 50-40-90 club. Jakucionis has a feel for the game that can’t be taught and has the innate ability to run an offense like few can. He can score from all three levels while having one of the highest basketball IQ in his class. Players like Jakucionis are living proof of how foreign basketball has caught up to the states and how superstar talent now comes from across the globe.