Player of the Week:
Bennett Stirtz (Sr., Iowa)
Stirtz has emerged as Iowa’s emotional and tactical backbone, fueling a four-game winning streak by scoring 20 or more points in each outing for the Hawkeyes. He has steadily risen through the college basketball ranks alongside head coach Ben McCollum, who has been with him every step of the way, from a Division II powerhouse at Northwest Missouri State to a stop at Drake before donning the black and yellow at Iowa this season.
Stirtz has continued his upward trajectory as a composed playmaker with elite perimeter shot-making, a skill set reflected in Iowa’s deliberate, snail-like pace, which ranks among the slowest in Division I. He has firmly cemented himself as a first-round caliber name, but as was the case last year, his evaluation will not be complete until he is tested in the pressure cooker of March Madness.
Who’s Hot:
Jeremy Fears Jr. (So., Michigan State)
There is no more fear for the man running the show in East Lansing, as Fears Jr. turned in his two highest-scoring performances of the season this past week. Michigan State survived an overtime scare against Rutgers on Wednesday night, with Fears leading the way by posting 29 points and nine assists while converting an impressive 16-of-17 from the free-throw line.
While limited experience and positional size contributed to early-season growing pains, Fears has regained comfort as the Spartans’ lead playmaker, blending pace and control with a newly aggressive downhill mentality. That growth was on full display in Michigan State’s high-profile matchup against Michigan, where he erupted for 31 points. Fears will continue to be tested as the Spartans navigate March, firmly planted in the national spotlight.
Who’s Hot: Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini are indeed fighting, surging all the way up to No. 5 in the latest national rankings. This roster is built with a little bit of everything: international talent, experienced guards, and an uber-talented freshman at the center of it all. Illinois is a team that has impressed all season due to its size and versatility at every position, and Brad Underwood’s group is catching fire at exactly the right time.
This week, Illinois fended off Washington before overtaking Nebraska’s spot in the consensus rankings following a gritty road win powered by Keaton Wagler, who poured in 28 points. While there have been several subtle adjustments fueling the Illini’s 11-game win streak, the driving force has been the freshman Wagler, who currently looks like a near-lock top-10 selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. Illinois has fused talent, depth, and relentless energy into a group that has the entire college basketball landscape on notice.
Who’s Not:
Aday Mara (Jr., Michigan)
Scouts are understandably drawn to Mara’s towering 7-foot-3, 255-pound frame, but his recent production has been limited by inconsistency, raising legitimate concerns about his translation to the next level. Head coach Dusty May has primarily deployed Mara as a rim protector, while also utilizing his passing ability to help stretch the floor offensively.
While Mara remains one of the better shot-blocking prospects in the draft, his overall skill set is still extremely raw. With only one year of development remaining, that lack of refinement could prove problematic. He shot just 4-of-12 from the field over the past week and has experienced a noticeable drop-off on the glass, allowing other members of Michigan’s frontcourt to outshine him. The recent decline in minutes could serve as motivation, so expect the Spanish big man to respond as Michigan continues its push toward title contention.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
After being labeled an early-season surprise with a 10–5 record and two ranked wins on their résumé, the Golden Gophers have unraveled. Minnesota has now lost seven straight games, all against conference opponents, including a gut-wrenching buzzer-beater loss at Penn State.
Their issues begin and end with offensive production. Minnesota ranks second-to-last in the Big Ten in points per game and lacks reliable shot creators outside of Cade Tyson. Given Tyson’s noticeable leap this season, he has become the focal point of every opposing game plan. If teams can neutralize him, they can largely neutralize Minnesota’s offense. Without additional scoring threats emerging, the Golden Gophers risk sliding further toward the bottom of the Big Ten as the conference race intensifies.
Top 5 Teams in the Big Ten
1. Michigan Wolverines – A balanced, disciplined group that has yet to falter. Michigan’s size and structure can punish nearly anyone in the field.
2. Illinois Fighting Illini – Illinois is officially in the hunt, led by a fearless freshman and supported by shooting, depth, and size across the lineup.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers – A work in progress after losing Rienk Mast, but still one of the most connected and fluid teams in the nation, with the ability to rebound quickly.
4. Purdue Boilermakers – Questions remain, but Purdue is guided by a true point guard savant in Braden Smith and has been through this process more than most.
5. Michigan State Spartans – The Spartans blend elite coaching with athletic guards who thrive downhill. Their aggression and tempo will keep them competitive in any matchup.