Payton Willis Named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week After Rutgers Performance

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MINNEAPOLIS - Senior guard Payton Willis has been named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week after his outstanding performance against Rutgers, announced today by the league office. It marks the second time this season the Fayetteville Ark., native has received the award. He shares the award with Hunter Dickinson.

Willis scored 32 of the team's 68 points in the win over Rutgers Saturday. With Minnesota down three starters, Willis stepped up in a big way, and guided the Gophers to their second Big Ten win of the season and first home league win this year. His 32 points marked a new career high for the senior, previously beating 29 he had in double overtime against Princeton earlier this year. Willis hit eight three-pointers in the game, which was a new career best and tied a program record. He finished the game 11-of-17, 8-of-13 from three (4-4 in the second half), had three rebounds, seven assists and a steal. In addition, Willis hit back-to-back free throws with :02 seconds left to secure the win. With his 32 points, Willis established his 500th points at Minnesota, through the 2019-20 season and now this year in 2021-22. He currently has 1,098 career points throughout his college career.

The Gophers host for the second-straight game when No. 16 Ohio State comes to town, Thursday Jan. 27. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (changed from originally 6 p.m.) and will be televised on ESPN. The game will also be broadcast on KFAN 100.3 with Mike Grimm and Spencer Tollackson. Thursday's game is also Minnesota's Coaches vs. Cancer game as Gopher men's basketball will raise awareness in the fight against cancer.
 



Questioned Dickinson being co player of the week. Willis should have been the solo player of the week.
But the B1G seems to name at least 2 B1G players of the week.
 

PhiloVance said:
Questioned Dickinson being co player of the week. Willis should have been the solo player of the week.
But the B1G seems to name at least 2 B1G players of the week.
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Did you watch Dickinson yesterday??

He was unstoppable in a road game with Indiana. Absolutely deserving of sharing the award. He was also great in the other game this week.

Both him and Peyton had big time games.
 


MUgopher32 said:
Did you watch Dickinson yesterday??

He was unstoppable in a road game with Indiana. Absolutely deserving of sharing the award. He was also great in the other game this week.

Both him and Peyton had big time games.
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Willis played without 3 starters, Dickinson plays with 4 and 5 star recruits.
 

PhiloVance said:
Willis played without 3 starters, Dickinson plays with 4 and 5 star recruits.
Click to expand...

That has literally nothing to do with how player of the week is determined.

Dickinson had 2 fantastic games. He deserved recogniztion. So did Willis.

And they both got it.
 





So a clutch player of the week would more aptly describe Willis.
 

That's awesome. Congrats to Payton!
 

Nice to see him get the recognition. Bringing success stories to the U will help recruiting also.

Good job Payton.
 

MUgopher32 said:
That has literally nothing to do with how player of the week is determined.

Dickinson had 2 fantastic games. He deserved recogniztion. So did Willis.

And they both got it.
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Yeah, Willis had the better single game, Dickinson had 2 great games. Both guys put together huge performances when their team was struggling to get key wins that might help turn the season around.

Happy for Willis. Not a lot of guys that can score 30 in the big 10 on that efficient of numbers.
 




Love that Willis gets better and better as the game goes on. Seems like a very mentally tough player.

I'm very impressed by the conditioning of this team. I'm amazed our guys don't look more tired than they do considering how many minutes several of them play, all with intensity.
 


GopherLady said:
MINNEAPOLIS - Senior guard Payton Willis has been named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week after his outstanding performance against Rutgers, announced today by the league office. It marks the second time this season the Fayetteville Ark., native has received the award. He shares the award with Hunter Dickinson.

Willis scored 32 of the team's 68 points in the win over Rutgers Saturday. With Minnesota down three starters, Willis stepped up in a big way, and guided the Gophers to their second Big Ten win of the season and first home league win this year. His 32 points marked a new career high for the senior, previously beating 29 he had in double overtime against Princeton earlier this year. Willis hit eight three-pointers in the game, which was a new career best and tied a program record. He finished the game 11-of-17, 8-of-13 from three (4-4 in the second half), had three rebounds, seven assists and a steal. In addition, Willis hit back-to-back free throws with :02 seconds left to secure the win. With his 32 points, Willis established his 500th points at Minnesota, through the 2019-20 season and now this year in 2021-22. He currently has 1,098 career points throughout his college career.

The Gophers host for the second-straight game when No. 16 Ohio State comes to town, Thursday Jan. 27. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (changed from originally 6 p.m.) and will be televised on ESPN. The game will also be broadcast on KFAN 100.3 with Mike Grimm and Spencer Tollackson. Thursday's game is also Minnesota's Coaches vs. Cancer game as Gopher men's basketball will raise awareness in the fight against cancer.
Click to expand...
Well deserved. Fantastic job. Love this team.
 

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