IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa forward Owen Freeman has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the eighth time this season, it was announced Monday by the league office. The eight accolades are the second most in Big Ten history.
The eight honors trail only Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, who had 12 Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors during the 2010-11 season.
The Moline, Illinois, native earned the distinction after averaging 13 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, two assists and 1.5 steals last week in games against Penn State and Minnesota. He shot 65 percent from the field, making 11-of-17 field goals in the two games.
In Happy Valley, Freeman went 4-for-4 from the field en route to a nine-point scoring output. He also had two rebounds, two steals and a block.
On Sunday in a 20-point come-from-behind victory over Minnesota, Freeman tallied his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and a career-high 14 rebounds. He also had a career-best four assists and four blocks, moving him into second place on Iowa’s freshman blocks list with 41.
The four double-doubles are the most by a freshman in the Big Ten (and tied for the seventh most in the league) and match Luka Garza for the most by a Hawkeye freshman since 2017-18.
Freeman helped Iowa rally from a 20-point deficit with 16:11 left. It was the Hawkeyes’ largest second-half comeback since 1987.
This season, Freeman has been the best freshman in the Big Ten. He leads the conference in rebounds (151), blocks (41) and steals (26), while ranking second in points (261) and field goal percentage (.643). The 41 blocks are also the third-most by a freshman in the nation.
The honor is Iowa’s ninth Big Ten weekly accolade this season. Freeman previously earned the distinction on Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Dec. 18, Jan. 8, Jan. 15 and Jan. 29, while graduate Ben Krikke was the Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 20.
The Hawkeyes (14-10, 6-7) return to action Wednesday at Maryland. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. (CT) at the Xfinity Center in College Park.
