Player of the Week:
Dylan Harper (Fr., Rutgers)
Dylan Harper (pictured) came into the season itching to show the world the race to be the No. 1 overall pick isn’t as clear cut as Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey, and so far he’s done just that. The Scarlet Knight has had back-to-back 20 plus point performances to start his collegiate career with 24 points in his last game against St. Peters. Harper excelled at pushing the pace and using his speed to attack from ideal angles while finishing strong at the net. Despite being a poised and smooth player, Harper doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work, waiting down low to snag rebounds and create second chance points. The playmaking aspect of his game is definitely still adjusting to college level defenses and schemes and his outside shot has ways to go but overall, you couldn’t ask much more from a true freshman in his first week of college basketball.
Who’s Hot:
Nick Martinelli (Jr., Northwestern)
Nick Martinelli has been nothing short of exceptional so far to start the season for Northwestern. The Wildcat has made the court his jungle and anyone who stands in his way becomes his prey. Martinnelli leads the Big Ten in scoring so far this season with 28.3 points per game while having the efficiency to match the volume. His 73.8% field goal percentage is the second highest mark of any player in the Big Ten attempting more than eight shots a game. In his most recent game against UIC, the 6’ 7 forward dropped 27 points from almost everywhere on the court. Martinelli dominated using his frame and footwork to shift defenders in the high post and finish with an elite touch around the rim. Normally, a player like him is one you’d opt to drop back against and allow to settle for a jumper, but unfortunately for defenses, Martinelli hasn’t missed a shot from beyond the arc yet. His unmatched potency on offense this season has transformed the Wildcats from a slightly above average program, to a team that can compete with best on any given night.
Purdue Boilermakers
With the two-time NPOY, Zach Edey gone and holes on both ends of the floor looking to be filled, many questioned what the future of Purdue would look like. However, when one door closes, another door opens, and for the Boilermakers numerous doors have opened. Players like Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn have leveled up and reached new heights. All three players are averaging more than 15 points per game, Smith is leading the Big Ten in assists per game and Loyer and Kaufman-Renn are shooting over 60% from the field. This three-pronged attack has dismantled defenses and kept Purdue looking like an elite level team. The interior defense might’ve taken a step back, but between Smith being second in the Big Ten in steals per game with three a game and the switchability of defenders like Kaufman-Renn, the Boilermakers are a team with few flaws who still have the potential to make a big run.
Who’s Not:
Chibuzo Agbo (Sr., USC)
Despite the success of USC to start the season, the veteran transfer has had a less than favorable start to his senior year. Agbo, a forward from Boise State who has a mix of athleticism and skill, hasn’t been able to showcase his talents effectively with his new team. His points per game, rebounds per game and overall efficiency have dropped considerably in comparison to his numbers from last year despite maintaining a starting role. Even his three point percentage this year at 30% is a far cry from the elite 40.9% on 5.6 attempts from last season. The Trojans have shown they can compete without him so far, but when the going gets tough, they’ll need Ogbo to step it up to remain competitive.
Michigan Wolverines
The Big Ten overall has had a great opening week with every team having a winning record, except for one being the Wolverines. Michigan at the bottom of the standings is more so a testament to how good the Big Ten is rather than how bad it is as a team. The Wolverines dominated on opening night, nearly doubling Cleveland State’s final score (101-53) but fell one step short late game against Wake Forest. Michigan’s leading scorer was Roddy Gayle Jr., who wrapped up the game with 11 points on 3-10 shooting (30%). Wake Forest had its fair share of struggles in this match as well but in the end, numerous careless turnovers from Michigan essentially sealed its fate. It’s still too soon to judge any team with certainty, but if the Wolverines want to avoid falling behind early, they’ll need to tighten up and come in next week more collected.
Top 5 Three Point Shooters in the Big Ten this season
5. John Mobley Jr. (Fr., Ohio State)
It’s rare to see a freshman make a top 5 list of any kind, especially so early into the season. But when John Mobley Jr. is shooting lights out from beyond the arc at 85% on four attempts a game, it would just be wrong to not include him. He’ll need to keep this level of production to keep this spot, but to start the season off there haven’t been many better at shooting the rock then Mobley Jr.
4. Fletcher Loyer (Jr., Purdue)
Fletcher Loyer has been an effective three pointer shooter the moment he put on a jersey for the Boilermakers, and with the increased role this season his hot hand burns even hotter. Throughout the start of the season, he’s shooting 75% from three on four attempts a game and shows no sign of cooling off any time soon.
3. Mackenzie Mgbako (So., Indiana)
Mackenzie Mgbako showed flashes of being an elite high volume shooter his freshman year with Indiana, and this year that’s exactly what he’s become. The Hoosier forward is shooting the three ball at a 66.7% clip on 4.5 attempts. What separates Mgbako from those below him is his ability to create his own shot and knock down contested jumpers. The ability to be elite at both is the reason Mgbako is dominating the Big Ten this season.
2. Zach Hicks (Sr., Penn State)
Throughout Zach Hicks’ career, he’s always been considered a stretch four who can provide spacing and knock down shots but this year, he’s reached a new height. The Nittany Lion is shooting 45% from three point range on nearly seven attempts a game. Shots keep falling for Hicks and with his increased role within the Penn State offense this year, you can expect to see a lot more from him.
1. Pryce Sandfort (So., Iowa)
Taking into consideration shot difficulty, amount of shots and shooting percentage, Pryce Sandfort has been the best three point shooter in the Big Ten this season. The Iowa forward is taking seven threes a game while shooting 47.6% from downtown. His jump from a below average shooter to one of the best is something not seen often, but now, no one embodies the team name “Hawkeye” more than Sandfort.