Player of the Week:
Derik Queen (Fr., Maryland)
Queen has had some problems finding his groove after opposing defenses started to key in on him, but when he kicks into overdrive like he did against Rutgers, there’s simply no stopping him. He became the first Big Ten player this season to post a game of 25-plus points, 15 rebounds and five assists and there was no denying his dominance. He may not always be the biggest player on the court, but he for sure always plays like he is. Queen’s motor when he’s dialed in is all-world, he has the athleticism and speed to consistently outmaneuver opposing bigs and crash the glass every possession. Queen has outstanding footwork and isn’t reliant on his teammates to create for him, he can be given the ball at the three point line and at the snap of a finger, he’ll be at the rim going up for two. Not to mention, the Terrapin utilizes all these same traits to be one of the most impactful players on the defensive end at any given time. Averaging over a steal and a block a game, Queen can handle the dirty work down low and can disrupt opposing offenses up top, making him one of the highest ceiling players in this years NBA draft.
Who’s Hot:
Trey Kaufman-Renn (Jr., Purdue)
Despite how spectacular Braden Smith has been this season, it’s impossible to ignore Trey Kaufman-Renn, who has, debatably, taken the biggest leap from last season to this one in the Big Ten. To go from a solid role player to being named the Big Ten Player of the Week for the third time this year is an unprecedented jump. Kaufman-Renn hasn’t recorded a single game with less than double digit points this season and that streak continues after he dominated USC with a 24 point double double. The Boilermaker at 6’ 9 and 230 has a unique blend of both strength and quickness that allows him to dominate the offensive side of the ball. Kaufman-Renn can bully smaller defenders and out finesse biggers and with his elite touch within the paint, he’s become the most consistent volume scorer in the Big Ten. His physicality and mobility make him the ideal roll man in any pick and roll and watching how he plays with a superstar guard like Smith should make it clear his overall skill set is already pro-level. Purdue is poised to finish as a top three team in the conference and a large part of that is because of how impressive Kaufman-Renn has been.
UCLA Bruins
Since the Bruins went on a four-game losing streak and were called “soft” and “delusional” by head coach Mick Cronin, they have looked like the best team in the Big Ten. UCLA is on a seven-game winning streak, the longest in the Big Ten, and has a 3-0 record against ranked programs in that span. The Bruins handed Michigan State its first conference loss and dismantled Oregon from start to finish, proving they can go head to head with any team in the nation. Holding opponents to an average of 63.9 points per game, UCLA is by far the best defensive team in the conference and has the firepower to match. Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey Jr. have been lighting teams up every night and have other reliable spark plugs off the bench like Sebastian Mack to torch any opposing team’s secondary unit. And we can’t forget the jack of all trades, Kobe Johnson, who is capable of facilitating, scoring and defending at a high level. It’s safe to say that they took Cronin’s words to heart and have shown the world that nothing about them is soft.
Who’s Not:
Penn State Nittany Lions
After a strong start to their season, things have just about wrapped up for the Nittany Lions as they drop their fifth game straight and have a 1-9 record in their last ten. Sitting at dead last in the conference, the blue and white have shown that they don’t have what it takes to match up against their Big Ten rivals. The Bruins held the Nittany Lions to a miserable 54 points and were unable to generate any consistent offense. It’s one thing to drop the ball against one of the best defensive teams in the nation, but Penn State has scored less than 65 points in three straight games. Despite his talent, Ace Baldwin Jr. hasn’t been able to elevate his team as a playmaker and has had one of his most inefficient seasons in his career. The Nittany Lions have plenty of reliable role players but no one who can take charge and galvanize the team. Six different players have led the team in scoring in the past eight games, showcasing the lack of a true go-to player to get a bucket. There may be a lot of talent on this squad but with no one to help put it together, the Nittany Lions will continue to fall.
Payton Sandfort (Sr., Iowa)
Since entering conference play, Iowa is 2-5 in games that Payton Sandfort shoots under 40% from the field. A player that is supposed to be a centerpiece for the Hawkeyes continues to shoot his team out of winnable games. When Sandfort is on point, he’s a threat from over 30ft out and can single handedly win Iowa games. But when he struggles, it’s clear to see that Owen Freeman isn’t enough to finish the job. Against Wisconsin, the Hawkeye shot an abysmal 18.2% from the field (2-11) and had an even worse three point percentage at 14.3% (1-7). While Sandfort has improved his efforts on the defensive end by a considerable margin, at the end of the day a sharpshooter who has shot 12-41 from deep in his last five games becomes a liability, something that the Hawkeyes don’t need if they want any hope of a postseason appearance this year.
Top 5 in Big Ten Player of the Year Race
5. Bruce Thornton (Jr., Ohio State)
Ohio State may be toward the middle of the pack in the Big Ten, but Thornton’s impressive season can’t be disregarded due to an inexperienced roster. The Buckeye is averaging 17.3 points and 4.3 assists per game, marks that have him top 10 in both stats. It makes Thornton one of only two guards in the conference to achieve this feat. His development into a true three level scorer who can clamp down the opposing team’s best outside threat makes his placement on this list a no brainer.
4. Trey Kaufman-Renn (Jr., Purdue)
Kaufman-Renn’s awards don’t have to be mentioned again to make it obvious that he belongs in this discussion. Averaging 18.9 points (6th in the Big Ten in scoring) and 6.4 rebounds per game on one of the best teams in the Big Ten is more than good enough to place him in these conversations. The Boilermaker has had ten games this season where he has scored more than 20 points and is the second most efficient high volume scorer in the conference (second in field percentage among players who attempt over ten shots a game)
3. Vladislav Goldin (Sr., Michigan)
With Goldin’s multiple 30 point outings and being the best player on the third best team in the Big Ten, he makes an extremely strong case for the award. Posting numbers of 15.7 points and six rebounds per game alongside 1.6 blocks is extremely impressive for a team that has so many offensive options. But Goldin continues to assert himself on both ends of the floor, making him a player anyone in the conference would dread going up against.
2. Kasparas Jakucionis (Fr., Illinois)
Jakucionis is one of the best freshmen to grace Illinois in recent history, no questions asked. Becoming the offensive mastermind for one of the better teams in the conference in just his first year is an accomplishment that can’t be diminished. Averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, Jakucionis is a triple double threat every night and has a natural feel for the game that can’t be taught. If Illinois manages to climb higher up the standings, he’ll make an excellent case to take home the award.
1. Braden Smith (Jr., Purdue)
To say this race isn’t close may be a stretch but Smith has simply been playing that good. On top of him averaging 16.1 points per game (11th in the Big Ten) he leads the conference in both assists and steals per game by a large margin. Smith has propelled the Boilermakers to victory numerous times this year and has been recognized as one of the best point guards in the nation. While the players below are having great years in their own right, Smith is the only being consistently thrown in the conversation for National Player of the Year.