Player of the Week
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
John Blackwell continues to establish himself as one of the most polished young guards in the Big Ten, combining poise, toughness, and two-way impact. He earned Player of the Week honors with strong performances in two overtime games, situations that test conditioning, composure, and late-game execution. Blackwell delivered 24 points and five three-pointers against Illinois and followed with 18 points at Indiana, adding a block and a steal in each contest. His strength, compact frame, and versatility point to a do-it-all guard profile that projects well to the next level.
Who’s Hot
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Every draft cycle features a veteran guard who forces evaluators to take another look, and Lamar Wilkerson is quickly becoming that player. After adjusting to life in Bloomington following his transfer from Sam Houston State, the senior has emerged as a confident lead scorer in Darian DeVries’ system. He totaled 66 points in wins over Oregon and Wisconsin this week, showcasing his floor spacing, off-ball movement, and quick release. While his age (24) and limited high-major experience will be discussed, his shooting profile and offensive confidence are translating.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Bennett Stirtz has emerged as one of the nation’s most productive scorers, and Iowa is thriving alongside him. At 18-5 and riding an eight-game winning streak, the Hawkeyes have already surpassed last season’s win total under first-year coach Ben McCollum. The supporting cast complements Stirtz with strong perimeter shooting and physical defense. Iowa leads the conference in several defensive categories, including scoring defense, defensive rebounding, steals, and turnover margin, while ranking near the top in three-point percentage. With defined roles and improved discipline, the Hawkeyes are becoming a legitimate Big Ten threat.
Who’s Not
Illinois Fighting Illini
After a 12-game winning streak, Illinois suffered a difficult week with two narrow overtime losses by a combined five points. Shooting struggles and late-game turnovers proved costly. Despite the setbacks, Keaton Wagler remains a major bright spot, posting 34 points and seven assists against Wisconsin. The starting lineup continues to produce, with all five players reaching double figures in that game, including Tomislav Ivisic, who recorded a double-double and hit three three-pointers. The outlook improves with Kylan Boswell expected to return soon from a broken hand.
Kayden Mingo, Penn State
In a difficult season for Penn State, the program’s highest-rated recruit has experienced recent struggles. Mingo continues to show defensive activity but has battled turnovers and inconsistent perimeter shooting, hitting just 21.1% from three. Defenses are increasingly sagging off, limiting his ability to attack downhill. With the Nittany Lions already facing a challenging year, the recent stretch highlights the adjustment period for the freshman as he works through typical growing pains.
Top 5 Big Ten Teams
1. Michigan Wolverines
The conference’s current standard, with a level of consistency that has separated them from the field, though contenders are beginning to close the gap heading toward March.
2. Illinois Fighting Illini
A physical, deep roster capable of overwhelming opponents with quick guards and frontcourt size. Despite recent losses, the overall profile remains strong.
3. Purdue Boilermakers
A disciplined, efficient group built around structured pick-and-roll offense and perimeter shooting. Purdue’s consistency and style translate well to postseason play.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers
A high-variance team capable of beating top opponents when shots fall. Now healthy, Nebraska faces a favorable schedule down the stretch.
5. Michigan State Spartans
A familiar formula under Tom Izzo: physical defense, strong rebounding, and late-season improvement. The season’s storylines remain, but Michigan State teams often peak at the right time.