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Jan. 16, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Mike Watkins was named the Big Ten's co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Penn State men's basketball team to a comeback win over No. 24 Minnesota, the league announced Monday.
Watkins secured his fourth double-double of the season in the Nittany Lions' 52-50 win over the Gophers Saturday in the Bryce Jordan Center, helping the team overcome a 14-point first-half deficit. The 15 points and career-high tying 15 rebounds, including five off the offensive glass, broke the PSU freshman record for double-doubles.
The Philadelphia product shot 67 percent (6-9) from the field with three dunks, marking his sixth game this season with three or more slam dunks. He is among the league leaders in field-goal percentage, converting on nearly 58 percent of shots over the last five games.
Also the top rebounding freshman in the league, Watkins averages 8.8 rebounds on the year and 9.8 through five games of Big Ten play. He ranks second in the Big Ten in conference game rebounds, trailing only Purdue's Caleb Swanigan.
This is the second Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor for Watkins this season, and just the second for Penn State since the award began in 2010-11. He shares the weekly rookie honor with Michigan State's Miles Bridges.
At 3-2 in league play for the first time since 2010-11, Penn State returns to action against Indiana at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Jordan Center. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, by calling 1-800-NITTANY or visiting the BJC Box Office.