Oladipo, Zeller honored by Big Ten
Indiana sophomore Victor Oladipo's strong opening week didn't go unnoticed.
The guard was named the Big Ten Player of the Week today, an honor an IU player hadn't received in more than two years.
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The last Hoosier to be the Big Ten's Player of the Week was D.J. White on Feb. 4, 2008.
Oladipo started the season by tying his career high with 16 points in IU's 96-66 victory over Stony Brook. He followed with 21 points Sunday as the Hoosiers' beat UT-Chattanooga 78-53.
While shooting 72 percent from the field and averaging a team-high 18.5 points, Oladipo also drew strong defensive assignments in both games.
"That's what separates Vic, he can play both sides of the ball," Indiana guard Jordan Hulls said after Sunday's win. "He can guard their best players, and he can come down and be a huge threat for us."
Indiana's Cody Zeller was the co-Freshman of the Week along with Iowa's Aaron White.
Zeller had a double-double in his college debut with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He set an IU freshman record with six steals Sunday against Chattanooga.
The 26th Indiana Mr. Basketball to play for the Hoosiers, Zeller is the first IU player to earn Freshman of the Week, an award that began last year.
"It's my career high, and it's because they double teamed him as soon as he caught it in the post," Oladipo said Sunday night. "He's mentally strong enough, and he was very poised, especially for a freshman. He just lets the defense come to him, and he found the open man.
"That's how we got easy buckets, Jordan got open 3s and people got layups. That's why we did recruit him, and I'm glad he's here."