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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Battle, Willis Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
3/8/2022 11:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
University of Minnesota's Jamison Battle and Payton Willis were named All-Big Ten honorable mentions by both coaches and media, while Eric Curry was named Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree. The All-Big Ten teams and yearly awards were announced on Big Ten Network and the conference office Tuesday, March 8, 2022 heading into the Big Ten Tournament. It marks the first postseason Big Ten awards for all three individuals.
Making the jump from the A10 to Big Ten this past year, Battle has continued to impress, averaging a team-best 17.4 points per game. That marks a season-best for the sophomore, to lead the team and sixth among league athletes. Battle also leads the Gophers in rebounds per game at 6.3, marking the first Gopher since Daniel Oturu (2019-20) to lead the team in both categories. The Robbinsdale, Minn., product has scored double-digit points in 26 games this season, including 11 with over 20 points. He also established a team-best 39 points in the Maryland game, which tied sixth in school history for points in a game. In the Northwestern win Feb. 19, Battle had 21 points, a career-best 14 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Battle was named a Third Team All-A10 athlete at George Washington last season where he averaged 17.3 ppg.Â
Willis is having his best point performance season of his collegiate career. The senior from Fayetteville, Ark., averages 16.1 ppg, which ranks second on the team and 10th within the Big Ten. His 16.1 ppg betters his 13.4 he averaged last year at College of Charleston and 8.9 his first time at Minnesota. Willis also leads the league in best three-point efficiency at 43.2 percent and ranks ninth nationally. Both he and Battle average 2.57 three-pointers per game, which is second among conference athletes. The starting point guard leads the team with 123 assists and averages 4.39 per game, good enough for eighth in the league. Willis was also a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week after the Mississippi State and Rutgers wins.    Â
Despite missing a few games due to injuries, Curry is still having his best point production season of his Gopher career. The senior from Memphis, Tenn., averages 7.6 ppg, bettering his 3.7 ppg he had in 2020-21 and 5.5 in his freshman year. Curry has started in 25 games this year and averages 27.4 minutes played, both career highs for Curry. He averages 5.8 rebounds per game this season.Â
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Making the jump from the A10 to Big Ten this past year, Battle has continued to impress, averaging a team-best 17.4 points per game. That marks a season-best for the sophomore, to lead the team and sixth among league athletes. Battle also leads the Gophers in rebounds per game at 6.3, marking the first Gopher since Daniel Oturu (2019-20) to lead the team in both categories. The Robbinsdale, Minn., product has scored double-digit points in 26 games this season, including 11 with over 20 points. He also established a team-best 39 points in the Maryland game, which tied sixth in school history for points in a game. In the Northwestern win Feb. 19, Battle had 21 points, a career-best 14 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Battle was named a Third Team All-A10 athlete at George Washington last season where he averaged 17.3 ppg.Â
Willis is having his best point performance season of his collegiate career. The senior from Fayetteville, Ark., averages 16.1 ppg, which ranks second on the team and 10th within the Big Ten. His 16.1 ppg betters his 13.4 he averaged last year at College of Charleston and 8.9 his first time at Minnesota. Willis also leads the league in best three-point efficiency at 43.2 percent and ranks ninth nationally. Both he and Battle average 2.57 three-pointers per game, which is second among conference athletes. The starting point guard leads the team with 123 assists and averages 4.39 per game, good enough for eighth in the league. Willis was also a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week after the Mississippi State and Rutgers wins.    Â
Despite missing a few games due to injuries, Curry is still having his best point production season of his Gopher career. The senior from Memphis, Tenn., averages 7.6 ppg, bettering his 3.7 ppg he had in 2020-21 and 5.5 in his freshman year. Curry has started in 25 games this year and averages 27.4 minutes played, both career highs for Curry. He averages 5.8 rebounds per game this season.Â
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Highlights: Gophers 67, Michigan 77
Tuesday, February 24
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Top Rutgers
Monday, February 23
Highlights: Gophers 80, Rutgers 61
Saturday, February 21
Cinematic Recap: Gophers at Oregon
Thursday, February 19