‘Around the Big Ten’: Hoops honors, hockey stars & baseball schedule released

In this edition of Around the Big Ten, SiriusXM host Pete Pistone spotlights outstanding play in both basketball and hockey and provides a hint of spring with the release of the Big Ten baseball schedule.

For more news and analysis about the conference, listen to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372) on the SiriusXM app now.

IOWA AND MICHIGAN EARN WEEKLY MEN’S BASKETBALL HONORS

Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp was named Player of the Week, while Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson earned Freshman of the Week honors.

Wieskamp averaged 23.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in wins over then-ranked No. 25/RV Rutgers and Michigan State. The junior made 10 of 14 three-pointers on the week (.714 pct.), going 5-for-7 (.714 pct.) from behind the arc in both games. Overall, he shot 16-for-27 from the field (.590 pct.) and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line (.830 pct.). He also added four assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in Iowa’s two games.

Against Rutgers, Wieskamp led the Hawkeyes with a season-high 26 points and tied for the team lead with 10 rebounds (all defensive), marking his third double-double of the season. He shot 9-for-14 from the field (.643 pct.), including 5-for-7 from three-point range. He once again led the Hawkeyes with 21 points in Iowa’s win at Michigan State.

Dickinson earned his sixth Freshman of the Week Award. He recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and a career-high-tying 15 rebounds to help Michigan defeat then-ranked No. 21/21 Wisconsin, 67-59. Dickinson also set a new career high with five blocked shots in the win.

He became the first Wolverine to post 10-plus points, 15-plus rebounds, and five-plus blocks in a game since 2004. The last Michigan player to accomplish the feat was Courtney Sims vs. Purdue (11 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks on 2/7/04).

MICHIGAN AND MINNESOTA PRODUCE HOCKEY’S THEE STARS

A trio of Big Ten hockey players was recognized for their outstanding play last week.

Golden Gophers goalie Jack LaFontaine posted back-to-back shutouts at Notre Dame over the weekend, as No. 5/5 Minnesota reclaimed first place in the Big Ten behind a pair of 3-0 wins. He stopped all 52 shots faced on the weekend and left the series with an NCAA-best 15 wins on the season and five shutouts. He also added his second assist of the season to set up the game-winner on Friday and is now tied for the NCAA lead in goaltender scoring this season.

Defenseman Cam York led No. 8/8 Michigan and the conference with four points on the weekend as the Wolverines split with No. 7/6 Wisconsin. He recorded a trio of assists in a 5-1 win on Saturday before adding a final helper in Sunday’s 3-2 loss.

Finally, forward Sampo Ranta of Minnesota recorded three points and tied for the conference lead with two goals as the Gophers earned a pair of 3-0 wins at Notre Dame. He found the back of the net on Friday before following up with another goal and an assist on the game-winner on Saturday. Ranta set new career highs for goals (14) and points (22) in a season over the weekend, while his 14 goals are tied for second-most in the nation this season.

BASEBALL SCHEDULE RELEASED

The Big Ten released its baseball schedule, featuring 44 in-conference games for the league’s 13 teams.

Due to the all-Big Ten schedule, there will be no conference tournament. The team that finishes first in the regular-season standings will receive the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The season will start the first weekend and March and conclude the final weekend of May.