CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois forward Will Riley is Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. He is co-recipient of the award, along with Derek Queen of Maryland.
- Riley led the Illini in a pair of games last week, averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 6.0 rebounds
- Shot 51.5% from the field, including 44.4% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the foul line
- Erupted for a game-high 27 points with career-high tying nine rebounds and new career-high seven assists in the blowout win at Minnesota
- Became the first NCAA freshman with a game of at least 27 points, nine boards, and seven assists without a turnover since the 1996-97 season.
- Made a career-high 11 field goals against the Gophers on 17 attempts, and scored 19 of his 27 in the second half
- Opened the week with a team-high 18 points along with his previous career high of six assists at Rutgers
- Scored 11 of his 18 against the Scarlet Knights in the second half
Riley earns his third Big Ten Freshman of the Week award this season, and second straight. He was honored last week after averaging 20.0 points against Ohio State and Nebraska, and received the inaugural recognition following the opening week of the season when he broke the Illini freshman debut scoring record with 31 points vs. Eastern Illinois.
Riley and the Illini are back in action Tuesday, hosting UCLA at 7 p.m. CT at State Farm Center. Tickets are available at FightingIllini.com.
