Dec. 27—The resumption of Big Ten play is right around the corner. Before the new year hits, Illini beat writer Scott Richey takes his first stab at a full All-Big Ten team with at least a dozen games in the books for most of the league:
Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Jakucionis has put together a six-game run (and counting) arguably better than any Illinois freshman before him. The 6-foot-6 Lithuanian guard has averaged 21.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the last month while showing an ability to take over close games down the stretch. The only knock? Jakucionis’ assist-to-turnover ration in that run is 1:1.
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights freshman is the leading scorer in the Big Ten and the fourth-best scorer in the country, averaging 23.3 points on 52/35/75 shooting to go with 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is still the front-runner to be the No. 1 pick come June, but Harper is at least making teams at the top of the 2025 NBA draft think twice.
Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern
A lingering foot injury cost Barnhizer the first four games of the season for coach Chris Collins, but he’s more than made up for it after getting cleared to play. The 6-6 senior guard has stuffed the proverbial stat sheet since mid-November, doing it all for the Wildcats at 19.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game to go with a 44/37/82 shooting slash.
Brice Williams, Nebraska
Year five has become the full breakout season for Williams, who has scored at least 25 points in five games. That includes three of his last four and two straight to help the Cornhuskers win the Diamond Head Classic on Christmas in Hawaii. The 6-7 senior checks off the coveted 50/40/90 shooter box and is averaging 19.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Derik Queen, Maryland
Maybe all the best young talent doesn’t just flock to the SEC and ACC. Queen is another Big Ten freshman who has had little trouble adjusting to a step up in competition. The 6-10 center had 22 points and 20 rebounds in his Terrapins debut, has shown to be one of the better facilitating big men in the league and is averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Braden Smith, Purdue
The Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year has been as productive as expected for the Boilermakers, putting up 12.9 points, 8.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Efficient, too, as a 41/42/89 shooter. Purdue’s best shot at another league title rests in his hands.
Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
Count the Nittany Lions as one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten in the first two months of the season. That Baldwin is leading the way, averaging 14.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals as a serious two-way threat, though, is less shocking.
John Tonje, Wisconsin
Tonje was mostly a non-factor last year at Missouri even before his season-ending injury. That makes what he’s done at Wisconsin a real head turner. Tonje’s 19.2 points, five rebounds and two assists per game are all beyond his previous career highs at Colorado State.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Smith’s return was crucial for the Boilermakers, but finding someone to fill the rather large shoes left by two-time national player of the year Zach Edey was equally important. Kaufman-Renn has done some of that, putting up 17.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Danny Wolf, Michigan
Wolf’s first 12 games for the Wolverines have shown why he was such a highly valued transfer this past spring after leaving Yale. The 7-footer is averaging 11.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists to go with nearly three combined blocks and steals per game.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland
Maryland added four transfer guards in the offseason, and they’ve all played a role in the Terps’ 10-2 start. Gillespie has been the most productive of the bunch, with the Belmont transfer averaging 14.1 points, 4.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds while shooting at a 51/44/95 clip.
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
It’s been an up-and-down season for Thornton and the Buckeyes. The junior guard at his best hasn’t always guaranteed an Ohio State win the last two months, but it certainly doesn’t hurt when he approaches his averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds.
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Martinelli’s major jump in production has kept the Wildcats competitive. The 6-7 forward averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds a year ago and is currently averaging 20.6 points and 6.1 rebounds while playing more (36.5 minutes per game) than any other player in the league.
Owen Freeman, Iowa
The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year used his success last season as a springboard to more this year. The 6-10 forward is he Hawkeyes’ leading scorer and has flashed around the rim at both ends, putting up 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and two blocks per game.
Tomislav Ivisic, Illinois
Ivisic ripped through the first eight games of his college career with five double-doubles and 15 made three-pointers. The 7-1 sophomore center got back to that level of play in Braggin’ Rights after some brief offensive struggles and is still averaging 13.9 points and 9.7 rebounds.
