Big Ten Men’s Basketball Players of the Week

Illinois and Michigan State Earn Weekly Honors –

Player of the Week

Brandon Paul, Illinois

G – Sr. – 6-4 – Gurnee, Ill. – Warren

· Scored a season-high 35 points to lead No. 13/14 Illinois to a road win over No. 10/10 Gonzaga

· Shot 10-for-16 from the field, making nine of his last 11 shots, also draining five threes and hitting 10 of 11 attempts from the free-throw line

· Also recorded four rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the 85-74 win

· Recorded a double-digit scoring game earlier in the week with 14 points against Western Carolina to average 24.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks for the week

· Earns his second career Player of the Week honor

· Last Illinois Player of the Week: Brandon Paul (Jan. 16, 2012)

Freshman of the Week

Gary Harris, Michigan State

G – 6-4 – Fishers, Ind. – Hamilton Southeastern

· Led No. 19/17 Michigan State in scoring in both the Spartans’ games last week with a season-high 20 against Loyola (Ill.) and 13 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff

· Shot 60 percent from the floor, including 55 percent from three-point range, including five threes against Loyola

· Averaged 16.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assists over the week

· Earns his second honor of the season

· Last Michigan State Freshman of the Week: Gary Harris (Nov. 19, 2012)

2012-13 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Players of the Week

Nov. 12 P: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jr., MICH

F: Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell, IND

Nov. 19 P: Deshaun Thomas, Jr., OSU

F: Gary Harris, MSU

Nov. 26 P: Andre Hollins, So., MINN

F: Nik Stauskas, MICH

Dec. 3 P: Andre Almeida, Sr., NEB