Twin Engine

Player of the Week

A career high in points and a double-double to follow the next game definitely earns Iowa’s sophomore, Keegan Murray, a spot as this week’s Big Ten Player of the Week. The Hawkeyes took on Utah State on Saturday in their first game this week and Murray shined dropping a career high 35 points on 76.5% shooting from the field in a 94-75 win over the Aggies. Following his career high game, Murray continued playing well dropping 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 93-62 win over Southeastern Louisiana. After losing three straight games to start December, Iowa has seemed to find its groove back heading into a heavy filled January slate of Big Ten games and with Murray playing well, Fran McCaffery hopes to see his offense’s production continue down the stretch.

Who’s Hot?

The Illini star, junior Kofi Cockburn, has continued his streak of games with a double-double this week tallying it up to a total of five in a row. This week Illinois took on both St Francis PA and Missouri winning in convincing fashion in both games. Against St Francis PA on Saturday, Cockburn had 21 points with 11 rebounds shooting 81.8% from the field in a 58-point win over the Red Flash’s. Wednesday night was no different for Cockburn as he extended his double-double streak dropping 25 points and 14 rebounds in a 88-63 win over the Missouri Tigers. Can Cockburn lead this Illini back to Big Ten champions for the second year in a row?

Minnesota

Even though the Gophers have played only one game this week and that game being against 2-8 Green Bay, I think the team who projected at the bottom of my Big Ten’s conference preview deserves some appreciation starting 10-1 after winning 72-56 on Saturday. Minnesota handled Green Bay behind four players (three in the starting five) dropping double digit points and two of them, Eric Curry and Payton Willis, having double-doubles. Ben Johnson has made some big waves in his first year as head coach with the Gophers.

Who’s Not?

Nebraska

The Cornhuskers season is not leaning towards the right direction after finishing the month of December 1-5. The week started off rough for Nebraska shooting just 5-28 from three in a 67-58 loss to Kansas State on Sunday. However, Nebraska bounced back on Wednesday beating Kennesaw State 88-74 with four out their five starters dropping double digit points. Starting January at the bottom of the Big Ten in standings, Nebraska must find some sort of groove or they can easily find themselves again on the “Who’s Not” list.

Top 5 Big Men Currently in the Big Ten (no order)

1. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana

It’s no debate that Jackson-Davis is one of the best, if not the best, players in the Big Ten right now. The Hoosiers star is averaging 19.1 PPG and 8.7 RPG on the season helping Indiana to a 10-2 record heading into its final game of December versus UNC Asheville. It shouldn’t be a question to any of the viewers with Jackson-Davis being on this list.

2. EJ Liddell, Ohio State

Shooting over 50% from the field and averaging 20.6 PPG, Liddell has excelled offensive wise even more than last year. Liddell’s had five games this season scoring 20 or more points and his stellar production so far, has helped Ohio State to an 8-2 record and currently #14 in the AP Poll rankings.

3. Kofi Cockburn, Illinois

This list could’ve been a lot different if Cockburn had entered the draft or transferred to another school, both were possibilities ahead of the 2021-22 season. Cockburn has been nothing but dominant since returning from his three-game suspension averaging a double-double on the year with 21.4 PPG and 11.9 RPG. It’ll be interesting to watch to see how Illinois fare’s come their January conference games especially with Cockburn currently riding five games in a row with a double-double streak.

4. Hunter Dickinson, Michigan

Michigan’s star is currently averaging 15.6 PPG and 9.1 RPG playing down low for the Wolverines. Even though they’re 7-4, it’s been a tough start for Michigan suffering some early-season losses but expect Dickinson to keep getting better offensively as Wolverine fans hope to make a deep run this season.

5. Zach Edey, Purdue

Purdue fans were definitely happy to hear their star center Zach Edey was returning for a second season. Edey is currently averaging 14.4 PPG with 7.5 RPG with a whopping 71.6 shooting percentage from the field. Purdue’s currently ranked #3 in the AP Poll and Edey’s offensive role has played a huge part to their 11-1 start.