Hawk Jok

Player of the Week

Peter Jok, Iowa

Iowa continues to roll, completing the shocking sweep of Michigan State and also picking up a sold victory over Michigan.  Jok averaged 19.5 points this week on 58% shooting (64% from 3) and certainly appears to be the #2 option for the Hawkeyes behind the phenomenal Jarrod Uthoff.

Who’s Hot?

Ethan Happ, Wisconsin

The highlight of the week for the redshirt freshman was obviously the go-ahead bucket to beat 4th-ranked Michigan State in front of a frenzied home crowd, but Ethan Happ is slowly breaking out and becoming the next talented Wisconsin big man.  He has now recorded 5 consecutive double-scoring performances and ranks 3rd among conference freshman in scoring and 2nd among both freshman and ALL Big Ten players in rebounding.  He’s no Frank Kaminsky, but he’s perhaps the most consistent and hopeful aspect of this Badgers team right now, and they are certainly trying to make something out of what has been a trying season.

Robert Carter, Maryland

Maryland destroyed Ohio State then once again squeaked out another closer-than-it-should-have-been victory over an inferior opponent, and in both matchups, it was the Georgia Tech transfer, Robert Carter, making the difference.  He had 25 in the romp over Ohio State, then recorded a 10 and 14 double-double against Penn State, grabbing some key boards in the closing minutes.  Overall, Carter shot a sizzling 72% from the floor this week and has surprisingly emerged as THE star player behind Melo Trimble for this squad.

Shavon Shields, Nebraska

Like Wisconsin, Nebraska has essentially no postseason hopes at this point, but like Nebraska, they are keeping their heads down and getting big wins, particularly over Michigan State.  Shavon Shields, after scoring an inefficient 14 to help get the win over Illinois, had 28 to beat the Spartans, on a whopping 12/20 shooting performance (60%).  He’s not always the most efficient scorer, but, like his Cornhusker star predecessor, Terran Petteway, he plays with a lot of heart and is sometimes the guy who has to put this team on his back and carry them to big victories, as he did to complete Michigan State’s skid this week.

Who’s Not?

Bryn Forbes, Michigan State

Michigan State was a rare 0/3 this week, even with a healthy Denzel Valentine back on the court and playing well.  A part of this dry spell would appear to be the personal dry spell of sharpshooter Bryn Forbes.  The right-hand man to Valentine for much of the year, Forbes shot a total of 5/22 (23%) for 5.7 PPG in his 3 games this week, a vast decline from his usual numbers.  Obviously, the team as a whole looked a little flat in dropping winnable games against Nebraska and Wisconsin, but when a key component like Forbes struggles with his shot, it’s bound to be a rough day for the Spartans.  No doubt he’ll turn it around, but the Spartans are currently in a bit of a freefall.

Kendrick Nunn, Illinous

After a big upset of Purdue, the high-scoring shooting guard for the Illini has seriously cooled off.  Nunn and the Illini dropped both games this week, getting beat at home by Nebraska, then trounced by Indiana in Assembly Hall  (the Indiana edition, that is).  Nunn shot a subpar 8/25 (32%) in those two games and fouled out of an abysmal team performance against Indiana.  Postseason hopes are all but gone for the Illini, but the junior will need to lead the turnaround for a team that may be playing to save coach John Groce’s job.

Top 5 Shooters

1) Duncan Robinson, Michigan

Hard to argue with this spot for the Big Ten leader in both 3’s made and 3-point percentage.  The D-III transfer has been phenomenal, shooting over 51% from downtown. Projecting him for the next level, he’s probably too one dimensional, but should continue to grow into a college star.

2) Bryn Forbes, Michigan State

From across the state of Michigan, we have another great shooter who, while not great lately, has had an excellent stroke since his time at Valparaiso.  He’s shooting 45% from 3 on a high volume of attempts, which is even more impressive when you factor in the games he spent as Michigan State’s #1 scoring option, no doubt drawing even more defensive scrutiny.

3) Nick Zeisloft, Indiana

After finishing 2nd in the conference in 3-point percentage last season with a lofty 45% success rate, Ziesloft has fallen to a more modest 43% this season.  He’s got a great stroke and really opens the floor for the quick, athletic drives Indiana has in its offense.

4) [Aubrey Dawkins], Michigan

While Dawkins doesn’t shoot as many 3’s as the rest of these guys, he has consistently remained as a top 5 outside shooter, percentage-wise, for each of the past two years.

5) [Joey King], Minnesota

One of the only true stretch 4’s in the Big Ten, King is a deadly outside shooter, particularly for his 6’9” size.  He’s been knocking them down consistently for the past few years and his diverse skillset could at least get him cursory looks by NBA scouts.