Trey Burke: Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Again)
For those of you wondering, I'm still alive... though I'll admit I did just roll out of bed about 15 minutes ago. Anyways, Trey Burke just won his fifth B1G Freshman of the Week award; here's the athletic department's press release:
Burke Garners Fifth Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honor
Feb. 20, 2012
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball freshman guard Trey Burke (Columbus, Ohio/Northland HS) earned his fifth Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor, as announced by the conference Monday (Feb. 20).
Burke helped the Wolverines upset sixth-ranked Ohio State, 56-51, on Saturday (Feb. 18) as he posted 17 points, five assists and two rebounds in 37 minutes of action. The win marks the third top-10 victory for the Wolverines -- a feat which has not happened since the 1992-93 season.
As the Wolverines led from start to finish over Ohio State, Burke was integral down the stretch for the Wolverines. With the shot clock winding down, Burke cut to the left side of the basket and laid it in to help U-M maintain a five-point lead with 1:19 remaining.
After a pair of free throws from Ohio State's Aaron Craft, Burke once again hit a driving layup with just 11 seconds remaining as he broke past Craft and hit the running layup off the top of the glass that went past a Jared Sullinger block attempt. The win helped the Wolverines snap a six-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.
On the season, Burke is averaging 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists, which ranks second in the Big Ten. Burke also leads U-M playing 35.4 minutes per game and is tied for the team lead in steals (24) and blocks (10).
Burke continues to be a candidate of the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team and even All-Big Ten. Overall he has hauled in six Big Ten honors this season -- one Player of the Week and five Freshman of the Week honors. He was a top-20 finalist for the Bob Cousy Award for the nation's top point guard and is 11 assists away from breaking U-M legend Gary Grant's single-season freshman assists record of 140 during the 1984-85 season.
The Wolverines will return to floor on Tuesday (Feb. 21) when they travel to play Northwestern in Evanston. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CST and the game will be televised on BTN.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
It's obviously a two man race...I'm assuming Burke has the lead for B1G Freshman of the Year. Anyone know how many Freshman of the Week's Cody Zeller has?
February 20th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
He got his sixth last week.
February 20th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
It's going to be tough to beat him out...but who knows. Maybe they'll make it "Co"
I hate ties, but considering our history...I'll take a "Co-B1G Championship" and a "Co-B1G Freshman of the Year."
...it would suck to have two freshman in a row have Freshman of the Year like seasons, only to be beat out by big men who are having/had great years as well.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^
...6 B1G Freshman of the Week awards. The pundits still say he has the inside track on the end of year honor.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
If Burke does not win over Zeller. Stats are a wash, but Trey is LEADING a team AND Zeller is a very good piece of a team. Zeller can't do what Trey did vs. Ohio in the last 2 minutes with the assists and two drives to the basket thru Craft and OVER Sullinger!
February 20th, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
...to his inside dominance for IU and their big wins over UK and OSU. He's still riding the national recognition that came with that surprising stretch for a traditional power making a "return to glory".
Remember, it's largely about media narratives.
Starting with Saturday's win over Ohio, Burke is in a great position to snatch the honor away from Zeller if Michigan ends up with at least a share of the B1G title.
Obviously I'd like to see Burke win it (mostly b/c the award reflects performance and hype - and hype comes with national level attention from national level accomplishments and refer to my previous paragraph), but you can't argue that Zeller isn't as deserving. He's had a monster year.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
Id say burke has done an excellent job of replacing Morris, and he's more fun to watch!
February 20th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
My nail biting to start the season has turned into, Morris who?
February 20th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
yea, you forgot to add Burke can actually shoot the basketball. Morris struggled to shoot anything in the 10-15 ft range
February 20th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
...of a mid-range game. Trey has it, and it's so fun to watch. I'm a sucker for the 15-foot pull-up jump shot.
February 20th, 2012 at 3:42 PM ^
Actually, Morris had a good midrange game. He just couldn't shoot threes.
February 20th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^
But I'm kinda sick of hearing everyone being unable to praise Burke without crapping on Morris. Maybe you didn't enjoy watching Morrs make unbelievable pass after unbelievable pass last year, but I sure did. I sure as hell enjoyed him telling State to "Get the F*ck of our court". I enjoyed the innumerable times where we would be on the wrong end of a run and D-Mo would stop it by fighting his way inside and making a tough 8 foot shot. I enjoyed his triple-double against Iowa. So yeah I love Burke as much as anyonne here, but it's definitely possible to appreciate Burke as what he is (an unbelievable player who has ice through his veins) and not crap on Morris(the firecracker that helped restore some swagger back to the MIchigan basketball team).
/end rant
February 20th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
NW worries me at their court
February 20th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
I agree...I've been following LTP since Brian did that article w/them and it sounds like Welsh-Ryan has been pretty electric lately.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
I, for one, will be losing my voice cheering for Michigan up in Evanston. There should be a good wolverine presence at that game.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
Burk should get Freshman of the Year. Over all play and team standings should be considered.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^
Burke is a special player. The way he sunk those two layups in the final minutes against OSU elevated him to another level for me. There's something about certain athletes who rise to the occassion under pressure--in basketball, in particular, when you can easily shrink away from the ball when it matters most (not an option for QBs or baseballers, for example). He had poise, control, and confidence in taking those shots. But he also made them. Incredibly difficult shots, both of them, and they dropped. He has some magic in him.
February 20th, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^
Don't forget his blocked shot on Craft on the other end.
Think I'm going to go watch this a few more times:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
Trey has been incredible and has been just what this team needed.
February 20th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^
I'm liking this weekend! Keep it up team!
February 20th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
"THE PRIDE OF COLUMBUS, OHIO....TREY BURKE!!!!"
That give me chills on Saturday night. Well played.
Congrats on another B1G Frosh-of-the-Week award, Trey. You are an absolute pleasure to watch.