Around The Big Ten – February 19

More on this week’s edition of “Big Ten Whip Around” — start listening to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372) on the SiriusXM app now.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Player of the Week
John Tonje, Wisconsin
G – Grad. – 6-5 – North Omaha, Neb. – Omaha Central

• Paired 32 points, six rebounds, and three assists in leading the Badgers to a 94-84 win at Purdue

• Shot 10-for-15 from the floor, including 4-for-9 from three-point range, and 8-for-9 from the free throw line

• Including his 41 points vs. No. 9 Arizona, Tonje is the nation’s only player to post multiple 30-point games vs. top 10 opponents this season

• Claims third Player of the Week honor

• Last Wisconsin Player of the Week: John Tonje (November 25, 2024)

Freshman of the Week
Derik Queen, Maryland
C – 6-10 – Baltimore, Md. – Montverde

• Averaged 21.0 points on 15-for-20 shooting from the floor and 12-for-13 at the free throw line and 12.0 rebounds in a 2-0 week for Maryland

• Shot 9-for-11 from the field in a 24-point, 11-rebound performance in the 83-75 win at Nebraska

• Paired 18 points and 13 rebounds in a 101-75 victory over Iowa

• Earns his fifth Freshman of the Week award

• Last Maryland Freshman of the Week: Derik Queen (February 10, 2025)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Player of the Week
JuJu Watkins, USC
Sophomore – Guard – Los Angeles, Calif. – Sierra Canyon
• Paced USC to a pair of wins by averaging 27.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.0 blocks
• Dropped 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists in the Trojans’ upset of No. 1 UCLA
• Her eight blocks were a new career high and tied for third-most in a game by a Trojan
• It was USC’s first win over an AP top-ranked opponent since 1983
• Put up 17 points, eight boards, six assists and a steal at Washington
• Earns the fifth Big Ten Player of the Week award of her career
• Last USC Player of the Week: JuJu Watkins (Jan. 13, 2025)

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll
Lucy Olsen, IOWA: Added 29.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals during Iowa’s 2-0 week
Cotie McMahon, OSU: Notched a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lift Ohio State past Minnesota
Adalia McKenzie, ILL: Led Illinois in two victories behind 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals

Freshman of the Week
Ava Watson, Ohio State
Guard – Buford, Ga. – Buford
• Scored 16 points off the bench and recorded a pair of steals in 18 minutes of action against Minnesota
• Went 5-for-6 from the floor and a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc
• Collects her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week laurel
• Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Jaloni Cambridge (Jan. 20, 2025)

HOCKEY

First Star
Damien Carfagna, Ohio State
Jr. – D – Wood-Ridge, N.J. — New Hampshire (NCAA)

• Scored the game-winning goal with three minutes left in regulation in Ohio State’s 4-2 win over Wisconsin Saturday in Columbus
• Compiled three points (goal, two assists), a plus-five rating and five blocked shots as No. 8/8 Ohio State swept Wisconsin at Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center
• Was not on the ice for any goals against during the weekend series and helped the Buckeye penalty kill unit finish 4-for-4
• The 2024 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient earns his first weekly award
• Last Ohio State First Star: Riley Thompson on Nov. 19, 2024

Second Star
Simon Mack, Penn State
Sr. – D – Brockville, Ontario — Des Moines (USHL)

• Led Big Ten players in scoring over the weekend, amassing four points (all assists)
• Helped No. 18/18 Penn State complete its first-ever sweep of Notre Dame
• Recorded three assists in a 5-3 win on Friday and assisted on the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 3-2 victory
• Garners second award of the season, was named a Third Star on Oct. 8, 2024
• Last Penn State Star recipients: Arsenii Sergeev (First Star) and Reese Laubach (Third Star) on Feb. 11, 2025

Third Star
Logan Stein, Michigan
Gr. – G – Suwanee, Ga. — Ferris State (NCAA)

• Recorded a 1.84 goals-against average and .944 save percentage as No. 12/12 Michigan posted a 3-2 overtime win and 2-2 overtime tie versus No. 4/3 Minnesota
• Surrendered three goals total against the nation’s second-best scoring offense
• Stopped 18-of-19 shots in injury relief on Friday and earned the game’s No. 1 Star on Saturday with 33 saves and an assist; stopped all three shots in the shootout
• Becomes sixth different Wolverine to capture a Star Award this season
• Last Michigan Star honoree: Will Felicio (Third Star) on Feb. 4, 2025