Transcription: Thomas Big Ten Player of Week
By the Associated Press
Isiah Thomas, IU’s sensational freshman from Westchester, Ill., has been selected Big Ten Player of the Week for his outstanding performances against Iowa and Northwestern.
In the two games, Thomas scored 42 points and his 21 assists set up another 42 points, giving Thomas a hand in more than half the Hoosiers’ points in the two contests.
Northwestern coach Rich Falk said, “That was a great performance by Isiah; you saw what he can do. He makes everyone look better and play better; that’s why he’s so great.”
Others nominated for the award include Joe Barry Carroll, who scored 42 points in two games for Purdue; Wes Matthews of Wisconsin, who scored 52 points; Reno Gray, who had two outstanding games and 31 points for Illinois; and Kevin Smith, who scored a career-high 26 points in Michigan State’s victory over Iowa.
The Hoosiers, tied for second in the Big Ten with Minnesota and Purdue, will meet both teams this week. IU will meet the Gophers in Minneapolis Thursday night and Purdue at 2 p.m. Saturday at Assembly Hall. Both teams feature dominant centers, Minnesota featuring 6-11 Kevin McHale, the Boilers featuring 7-1 Carroll.
