Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball

B1G Top Performers From The Weekend

A look at the Big Ten players with the best performances from this weekend.

By Michael Berns Dec 11, 2017, 9:05am CST

We kick off our weekly series on the Big Ten Top Performers, looking back at the games from this past weekend.

Big Ten Top Performers

Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State

NCAA Basketball: William & Mary at Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes are rolling. The Tribe from William & Mary were no match for Chris Holtmann’s club, in large part due to the dominant performance of forward Keita Bates-Diop. Bates-Diop contributed 27 points, five rebounds and two assists in Ohio State’s 35-point blowout victory.

Charles Matthews, Michigan

Michigan was down most of the game, got hot in the waning minutes and took control of UCLA in overtime. Charles Matthews, a transfer from Kentucky and a native of Chicago had everything to do with Michigan’s comeback win. Matthews was clutch from three-point range and drilled shot after shot in overtime. Matthews finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, shooting 72 percent from the field.

A knock on Charles Matthews? He was 2-of-10 from the free throw stripe.

Darryl Morsell, Maryland

The true freshman guard from Baltimore had himself a career game in Maryland’s dominant win over Gardner-Webb. Darryl Morsell came off the bench to shoot 6-of-8 from the field and made 6-of-7 free throws. It’s important for Maryland to get production from its bench moving forward, and Saturday was a turning point afternoon for Mark Turgeon’s young Terps team.

Tony Carr, Penn State

NCAA Basketball: George Washington at Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions are playing some great basketball. They trounced the George Washington Colonials by 20 points. Guard Tony Carr continues to stuff the stat sheet: 19 points, six rebounds and four assists highlighted the big win against an Atlantic 10 foe.

Jaren Jackson Jr, Michigan State

NCAA Basketball: Southern Utah at Michigan State

Arguably the top recruit Tom Izzo has ever had at Michigan State, Jackson hasn’t disappointed. Jaren Jackson Jr. is getting better by the game and his versatility to go along with his massive frame continues to be a problem for opponents. In a blowout win against Southern Utah on Saturday night, Jackson had a double-double: 17 points, 13 rebounds and one assist.

Geo Baker, Rutgers

NCAA Basketball: Michigan State at Rutgers

Rutgers Scarlet Knights true freshman Geo Baker is a game-changer for head coach Steve Pikiell. Baker had a double-double: 19 points, 11 assists and three rebounds. Geo Baker attacks the rim with fury and adds a completely different dimension to what we’re used to seeing from Rutgers each year.

Luka Garza, Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes had no issues beating down on the Jaguars from Southern University. Iowa true freshman forward/center Luka Garza had the biggest impact of anyone on his team. Coming off the bench, Garza led his team in points (23) and rebounds (13) for the 5-6 Hawkeyes. Garza is big, skilled and can get to the basket with ease.

Head Coach Matt Painter, Purdue

It’s hard to believe Purdue was actually losing this game in the first half by 10 points before easily putting away IUPUI. Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter earned his 300th career win as head coach — that includes his now-13 years at Purdue and one year at Southern Illinois back in 2003-04. Purdue is 10-2 with a tough game against Butler coming up next weekend in the Crossroads Classic.