Jordan Murphy Named B1G Freshman of the Week

Great to see him get this recognition. Here's hoping he earns this honor as much as Shannon Brooks, he's got talent!

From the U of MN:

After a pair of double-double performances this past week, Minnesota forward Jordan Murphy has been recognized by the Big Ten Conference as its Freshman of the Week. It is his first weekly honor, and the second of the season for the Gophers after senior Joey King was named the Co-Player of the Week on Nov. 16.



Murphy began the week with a dominating performance in the win over Clemson, tallying 24 points and 10 rebounds along with two blocks, two steals and an assist against the Tigers. He became the first Gopher freshman since Kris Humphries in 2003-04 to post a double-double, along with scoring the highest point total by a Minnesota freshman since Andre Hollins in 2012.



The San Antonio, Texas native followed that up with another double-double, scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds along with three assists and two steals in the double-overtime loss to South Dakota. In that game, Murphy tipped in the game-tying basket at the end of regulation to force the first extra period.



He finished the week shooting 55.6 percent from the field (15-27), and extended his double-figure scoring streak to three games. Murphy ranks fourth among conference freshman in scoring (10.5 ppg) and third in rebounding (7.5 rpg).



Murphy is the first freshman of the week for the Gophers since Nate Mason earned the honor last season on Dec. 22, and just the third in program history.



The Gophers return to the court Tuesday, hosting South Dakota State at 7 p.m.

We've only had 3 freshman of the week players in the history of the program? Is that a new award? Have to imagine Humphries is the third if they had it back then.

Rickert didn't win this award?

Certainly deserves this - look forward to Tuesday and seeing if he can have the hat trick of double doubles.

First time I saw this kid make the quick baseline/slam dunk move I said 'Holy Moly'....and a few other things.

I can't believe how many times I've jumped out of my seat from his baseline drives and dunks alone. So far he certainly has the look of a player who can lead a program to the next level(s) over 4 years.

The thing that impresses me about Murphy is that he has a variety of moves. Every approach to the scoring is not identical. He reads the defense and adjusts, and is deceptive. Its been a while since we've had a finesse player with all-around skills. He had me at rebounding and putbacks, but I'm thinking he's not going to be too easy to shut down.

Moonlight said:

The thing that impresses me about Murphy is that he has a variety of moves. Every approach to the scoring is not identical. He reads the defense and adjusts, and is deceptive. Its been a while since we've had a finesse player with all-around skills. He had me at rebounding and putbacks, but I'm thinking he's not going to be too easy to shut down.

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This, plus he just has a tenacity that we haven't seen in a player for awhile. I guess since Mbakwe?

mplarson7 said:

This, plus he just has a tenacity that we haven't seen in a player for awhile. I guess since Mbakwe?

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According to Pitino, that's his weakness, not playing full out all the time. But this success might be having a big impact.

Here's one of the things I really like about him. He's easy to appreciate, and he plays like he belongs out there. He PLAYS like he belongs out there, he doesn't have to ACT like he belongs out there.

Good God, Would he have looked good next to Trevor!