MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s been an ugly season for the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team, marred by losses and issues away from the court. But the Gophers got some good news on Monday.
Forward Jordan Murphy was recognized as one of the league’s top newcomers by being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The award is voted on by all 14 head coaches in the Big Ten.
It’s the first time the Gophers have had a player on the All-Freshman Team since 2005, when Dan Coleman was selected. Murphy earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors with the Gophers twice this season.
He has played in every game this season, starting the last 19, and is tied for the league lead with nine double-doubles. Murphy is scoring 11.7 points per game, fourth among Big Ten freshmen, and his eight rebounds per game is fourth overall in the conference.
Senior Joey King was also Minnesota’s honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. His season and college career ended in the Gophers’ loss to Wisconsin. He’s missing the rest of the year with a broken foot.
The Gophers are the No. 13 seed for the Big Ten Tournament will face Illinois on Wednesday in the opening round.
