A pair of double-doubles was enough to help Gophers forward Jordan Murphy earn the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award.
Murphy began the week with a dominating 24 point, 10 rebound performance against Clemson. He followed that by scoring 19 points and grabbing 17 boards in the Gophers’ overtime loss to South Dakota.
For the week, Murphy shot 55.6 percent (15-of-27) and continued his stretch of scoring in double figures to three straight. The San Antonio, Texas, native is now fourth among Big Ten freshmen in scoring (10.5 ppg) and third in rebounding (7.5 rpg).
After a pair of double-doubles, Jordan Murphy named @B1GMBBall freshman of the week! https://t.co/adq1eTWtQW pic.twitter.com/GuEsuJ0jrF
— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) December 7, 2015
He is the first Gophers freshman to post a double-double since Kris Humphries did that in 2003-04. His 24 points against Clemson is the most a Gophers player has scored in a single game since Andre Hollins in 2012.
Pitino said Murphy can get even better at rebounding. Said relies a lot on having really long arms for his size. Looks pretty good right now
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) December 7, 2015
Murphy is the first Gophers’ freshman of the week since Nate Mason won the award on Dec. 22, and is just the third one in program history.
He is also the second Gopher to win a conference weekly award this season. Joey King was named the Big Ten Co-Player of the Week on Nov. 16.
Murphy still hasn’t cracked Minnesota’s starting lineup. Gophers coach Richard Pitino prefers King at the power forward spot.
Pitino said he likes Joey King at power forward over Murphy because of way he's playing. Leading team in scoring. Can you start them both?
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) December 7, 2015
The Gophers return to the floor Tuesday night against South Dakota State.
