Michigan Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Named Big Ten Player of the Week

On Monday morning, Michigan guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Hardaway Jr. has won the award three times now in his career after posting a monster game on the stat sheet last week. Following their first loss of the season eight days ago, Hardaway Jr. and Michigan responded with a crucial win on the road at Minnesota.

The contest marked the team’s only game of the week, and one in which Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points in the team’s 83-75 victory. The junior guard was 7-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the win, while also securing five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Michigan will now turn their sights on Purdue this Wednesday before an interesting trip to Illinois on Sunday. The Wolverines can once again expect to move up the rankings following last week’s win. Michigan is 17-1 on the season.

As for Hardaway Jr., his season statistics continue to be on a career pace. He is averaging 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. The junior is second on the team in both points and assists behind All-American point guard, Trey Burke.

The improvement of Hardaway Jr. and the Wolverines as whole is a testament to head coach John Beilein, who at this point in the season should undoubtedly be amongst the leading candidates for National Coach of the Year.

Michigan and Purdue will tip-off on Wednesday night at 7:00pm (EST).

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS