Big Ten Basketball Weekly: Heat Checks, Buzzer Beaters, and Nebrasketball

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Men’s Basketball

Game of the Week: No. 3 Michigan beats Oregon, 81-71

After being handed their first loss at home by the Wisconsin Badgers, the Wolverines travelled out west for games against the Washington Huskies and the Oregon Ducks. Michigan won both of these games, but I opted for the latter because of the dramatic second half surge that carried the day for the best team in the Big Ten. Down at halftime for only the third time all season, Michigan shot 60 percent from the floor en route to the win.

Player of the Week: David “Diggy” Coit (Maryland)

In most weeks this would be a tough call given the amount of talent in the Big Ten this season, but Maryland’s 20-point win Sunday made Coit the clear choice. The Kansas transfer etched his name in program history, becoming the first Terp since Nik Caner-Medley in 2006 with back-to-back 30-point games and setting an XFINITY Center record in points with a career-high 43 bomb in a 96-73 win over Penn State. In that game, he came out hot, scoring 30 first-half points and outscoring the entire Nittany Lion roster, who had just 26.

Team of the Week: Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Nebraska Cornhuskers remain one of (if not the) the most surprising stories in the nation. The Huskers have achieved their highest AP poll ranking ever, reaching No. 7 in the country as they continue their undefeated season with dominant wins over Oregon and Northwestern. Nebraska’s success is built on their elite defense, currently holding a 96.4 defensive rating which is the 12th best in the country according to KenPom. This team has real shot at going deep into the tournament come March.

Freshman of the Week: Braden Frager (Nebraska)

I’m gonna stick with Nebraska again and pick Lincoln native Braden Frager who has been shooting the lights out in the Huskers two games this week. On Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Frager went off from deep, scoring 23 points against Oregon while going 7-for-11 from range. He followed that up in Evanston with another 20 point game, this time beating the Wildcats inside the paint where he went 6-for-7 on two point field goals. Frager and Pryce Sandfort have become quite the shooting duo in Lincoln, both averaging above 37% from deep.

Clutch Performance of the Week: John Blackwell (Wisconsin) @ Minnesota

There’s not a lot that’s more “clutch” than a game-winning shot at your rival’s arena, and that’s exactly what Wisconsin’s John Blackwell did last Tuesday in Minneapolis. If not for Blackwell, this award would’ve gone to Minnesota’s Cade Tyson who with five seconds remaining, tied the game up at 75 after the Badgers missed two free throws that would’ve sealed the game. But Tyson was answered immediately with a last second pull-up jump shot that won the game for the Badgers 78-75 at the final buzzer.

Women’s Basketball

Game of the Week: Wisconsin beats Oregon, 94-92 (2OT)

On Sunday, basketball fans were served an absolute thriller in Madison in a marathon contest between Wisconsin and Oregon that required two overtime periods to decide a winner. The game was about as close as it could get, featuring 14 ties and 12 lead changes. It was a big win for the Badgers who entered the game on a three-game losing streak and were motivated to get a big win in front of their home crowd.

Player of the Week: Berry Wallace (Illinois)

Despite the Illini splitting their two games of the week, Wallace put together an excellent week including a career-high against Northwestern. Wallace scored 29 points and grabbed 9 boards, playing all 40 minutes in the Sunday matchup. She was the deciding factor in the rivalry game, scoring 12 of the Illini’s 16 points in the final quarter to avoid the upset and secure a 74-71 win.

Team of the Week: No. 3 UCLA Bruins

The Bruins continued their dominant season this week, headlined by a dominant 30-point win over No. 15 Maryland, 97-67. UCLA never trailed against the 17-3 Terrapins. The Bruins built a double-digit lead at halftime and slammed the door shut in the third quarter, outscoring Maryland 26-12 in the frame. UCLA have ran through conference play and a dominant win over a top 15 team in the country only certifies their chances at a championship run in March.

Freshman of the Week: Addie Deal (Iowa)

The freshman was pivotal in the Hawkeye’s 2-0 week against No. 13 Michigan State and a quality 14-6 Oregon team. Against the Ducks, Deal put up a career-high 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting and followed that up with 8 on 3-for-4 shooting against the Spartans in 15 minutes. Her timely, efficient shooting has been a big boost off the bench for the Hawkeyes who have now moved up to 10th in the latest AP poll.

Clutch Performance of the Week: Destiny Howell (Wisconsin) vs. Oregon

For the last award, I’m going back to the thriller in Madison and picking guard Destiny Howell. Howell put the Badgers on her back Sunday, scoring a career-high 39 points — including 30 of those from 3-pointers — as she went 10-for-16 from deep, a school record. Her ninth make was the most crucial of the night, tying the game at 80 and forcing a second overtime. The Badgers went on to win 94-92.

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