University of Minnesota Athletics
Coleman Named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week
1/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 16, 2012
Minnesota guard Joe Coleman was named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced today. Coleman helped the Gophers secure a pair of Big Ten road victories last week, at No. 7 Indiana and at Penn State, marking the first time since the 2009 conference season that Minnesota has won back-to-back conference road games.
Coleman, a Minneapolis native and Hopkins High School graduate, averaged 15.5 points and 4.0 rebounds on the week. He scored a career-high 23 points in the win over Penn State that included a 13-of-14 effort from the free throw line while playing 36 minutes, also a career-high.
Coleman, who has started the last three games for Minnesota, was clutch on the big stage as well, as he scored eight points, including four free throws in the final minute, to help the Gophers defeat No. 7 Indiana in Bloomington. The win gave head coach Tubby Smith his sixth victory over a top-10 opponent in his first five years at Minnesota and 31st overall.
The Gophers are off much of the week until welcoming the Northwestern Wildcats to Williams Arena on Sunday, Jan. 22. The game is scheduled to tip at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are still available for all remaining Minnesota home games by calling 612.624.8080 or 1.800.UGOPHER or online at www.gophersports.com or www.mygophersports.com.
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