Around The Big Ten – December 10

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 Blackwell, Wisconsin
G – Jr. – 6-4 – Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – Brother Rice

• Averaged 28.0 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game to lead Wisconsin to a pair of wins
• Paired 26 points and a career-best 11 rebounds in an 85-73 win over Northwestern for his first double-double of the season
• Posted 30 points, shooting 6-for-12 from three-point range, in leading the Badgers to a 96-76 win over Marquette, his third 30+ point game of the year
• Claims first Player of the Week honor
• Last Wisconsin Player of the Week: John Tonje (February 17, 2025)

Freshman of the Week
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
F – 6-11 – Würzburg, Germany – Würzburg Baskets

• Returned from three-game absence with 26.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, as Washington split a pair of games
• Connected on 75 percent of his field goal attempts, converted 15-of-18 attempts from the free throw line, and grabbed 11 offensive rebounds over the two games
• Shot 11-12 from the floor, posting 29 points and 10 rebounds in an 82-80 loss to UCLA
• Recorded 24 points and 16 boards, including 14 points and eight rebounds in the second half, as Washington scored an 84-76 win at No. 24 USC
• Earns first Freshman of the Week award

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Player of the Week
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Sr. – Center – Centennial, Colo. – Grandview
• Opened Big Ten play with a 24-point, 14-rebound performance against RV Oregon
• Her points, rebounds and blocks (5) were season highs
• Earns her fourth Big Ten Player of the Week honor
• Last UCLA Player of the Week: Gabriela Jaquez (Dec. 1, 2025)

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll
Olivia Olson, MICH: Posted 23.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two victories for the Wolverines
Katie Fiso, ORE: Turned in 23 points and a career-best 14 assists against Oregon State, the second-most assists in a game in Oregon history
Gift Uchenna, WIS: Chipped in 14 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks in Wisconsin’s upset of No. 20 Michigan State

Freshman of the Week
Cearah Parchment, Illinois
Forward – Whitby, Ontario, Canada – Fort Erie International Academy  
• Averaged 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds during Illinois’ 2-0 week
• Racked up 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals in 21 minutes versus Bellarmine
• Registered a double-double (15 points, 13 rebounds) against Indiana
• Helped the Illini pick up their first Big Ten-opening win since the 2016-17 season
• Collects her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week laurel
• Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: Kennedi Myles (Dec. 16, 2019)

HOCKEY

First Star
Brodie Ziemer, Minnesota
So. – F – Chaska, Minn. — U.S. National Team Development Program
2024 NHL Draft: 3rd Rd, 71st overall, Buffalo Sabres

• Led Big Ten players with four goals as Minnesota claimed four points against Ohio State
• Recorded back-to-back multiple-goal games, scoring twice in the Gophers’ 6-3 win on Thursday
• Followed with a three-point game (two goals, assist) in a 6-5 overtime loss on Friday
• Minnesota’s co-leader in scoring earns his first career Star Award
• Last Gopher to be named First Star: Oliver Moore (March 4, 2025)

Second Star
Max Montes, Ohio State
Jr. – F – Hartland, Wis. – Dubuque (USHL)

• Produced a team-best four points (two goals, two assists) in Ohio State’s split with Minnesota in Columbus, Ohio.
• Compiled an NCAA-best 66.7 faceoff percentage (28-for-42) over two games
• Finished the series with eight shots on goal while averaging over 16 minutes of ice time
• Collects his second career Star Award, was tabbed First Star on Oct. 22, 2024
• Last Buckeye to capture Star accolades: Adam Eisele (Second Star, Nov. 18, 2025)

Third Star
Quinn Finley, Wisconsin
Jr. – F – Suamico, Wis. – Chicago (USHL)
2022 NHL Draft: 3rd Rd, 78th overall, New York Islanders

• Registered five points as No. 2/2 Wisconsin completed a road sweep of Notre Dame
• Notched two goals and an assist on Friday, helping Wisconsin rally from a two-goal deficit for a 7-4 win
• Finished with seven shots on goal and a plus-four rating
• The Academic All-Big Ten recipient receives his third career Star honor and first of the season
• Becomes fifth different Badger to win a Star Award this year