Some familiar faces took home this week’s Big Ten hardware.
Once again, names you’ve come to know before Big Ten play even began have earned Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors. Let’s take a look at who it is this time around.
Megan Gustafson, Iowa
It is no surprise that University of Iowa senior Megan Gustafson has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week. It is her fifth honor of the season and the 15th of her career. Gustafson posted her NCAA-leading ninth double-double of the season Sunday with a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Hawkeyes past in-state rival Northern Iowa. She shot 79 percent from the field and 86 percent (6-for-7) from the free throw line.
Gustafson only needs 48 points to move into the top 25 in Big Ten career scoring list and 53 points to become Iowa’s all-time scoring leader She currently has 2,050 career points. Ally Disterhoft holds the record of 2,102 points (2013-17). Gustafson was already etched in the Iowa record books on Dec. 5 as she became Iowa’s career rebounding leader with 1,102 career rebounds.
Shakira Austin, Maryland
Austin collects her third career Freshman of the Week honor for the Terrapins. Austin is continuing her dominant start to her rookie season as she recorded her fourth double-double of the year against Loyola last Monday. She went 8-for-12 from the floor of 17 points with 13 boards and a block. She added five points in the Terps’ 17-0 first half run to build the lead.
Austin has pulled down 11 or more rebounds in seven of 10 games so far this season. Austin is the rebounding leader on one of the nation’s top rebounding team this year. She is No. 10 in the country with 118 boards. Maryland is No. 3 in the NCAA in rebounding margin (+17.2). The Terrapins will be back in action Thursday at to face the Delaware Bluehens (3-6). Tip off will start at 3 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center.
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Hillmon picked up her second double-double this year with 17 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in Michigan’s victory over Morgan State on Dec. 15. Converted 8-of-12 shots in 26 minutes on the floor Added a career-high three assists Receives her second career Freshman of the Week honor and stands in one of the top two spots in field goal percentage with a .747 percentage. The Wolverines will face Southern University Friday at noon.