Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Top 10 Player of the Year candidates for 2021-22 season

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 20, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Sasha Stefanovic (55) celebrates a three point basket with forward Trevion Williams (50) and guard Jaden Ivey (23) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Sasha Stefanovic (55) celebrates a three point basket with forward Trevion Williams (50) and guard Jaden Ivey (23) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iowa forward Keegan Murray Big Ten Basketball 210307 Wisc Iowa Mbb 039 Jpg
Iowa forward Keegan Murray Big Ten Basketball 210307 Wisc Iowa Mbb 039 Jpg /

. . . Keegan Murray. 3. player. 483

2021-22 stats: 23.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.0 bpg

When Murray was playing behind superstar Luka Garza last season, there were clear signs that the backup could be really good when he got his own chance to shine. But who could’ve seen Murray put up similar numbers to Garza at his peak at this point? The 6’8 forward not only leads Big Ten Basketball in scoring but all of NCAA Basketball as well.

Murray came out on fire with 24 points and seven rebounds against Longwood to open the season. But it was his 27-point and 21-rebound performance in a win over NC Central that really put the Hawkeye star on the map. The 20+ point games didn’t stop for a while, including a career-high 35 points against Utah State and star forward Justin Bean in a big win as well.

Murray’s efficiency has been at an all-time level, making 58% of his shots from the field, including a whopping 70% from inside the three-point line. He’s only making 30% from deep but Murray has to have some kind of weakness, otherwise, he’d be averaging 30 ppg. He’s also had big games against bigger-name opponents, including 18 points and nine rebounds against Virginia and 19 points against Illinois despite being less than 100% of health.

As he takes on Big Ten Basketball competition going forward, the odds are good that Murray’s stats are going to dip but likely not as much since he’s just so efficient from the field. The team is 0-2 in league play so where they’re placed could hurt Murray’s chances but for now, he’s definitely in the running.

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