In the great run through the Big Ten Tournament that helped Minnesota seal an invite to the NCAA Tournament, Pickering, ON's Devoe Joseph was a catalyst in all the games.  Doing everything from scoring, distributing, running the offense and adding great defense, Joseph has been given the nod of The Can Ball Report's NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.

Player of the Week

Devoe Joseph (Pickering, ON) – Soph., Minnesota

This was a big week for both the Minnesota Gophers and Devoe Joseph.  The Gophers went on a great run in the Big Ten Tournament to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday.  And during that run, Joseph showed that was a great player for Tubby Smith and a possible future star in the conference.  In the four games Minnesota played this week, Joseph had averaged, 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in 33 minutes of action.  He went a combined 17-of-41 from the floor including 10-of-18 from the three and a perfect 12-of-12 from the line to earn The Can Ball Report’s NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.

In the opening game against Penn State which the Gophers won 76-55 on Mar 11, Devoe would begin the tournament off right by posting a game high 15 points to go with three assists, two rebounds and two steals.  He went 6-of-10 from the floor including 3-of-4 from the three in 30 minutes.

In the team’s second game against then 11th ranked Michigan State the following day, Joseph would lead his team to a 72-67 overtime stunner scoring a team high 17 points to go with six boards, four assists and a steal in a team high 43 minutes of action.  Despite shooting 4-of-14 from the floor, he did make 3-of-4 threes and all six of his free throws in the victory. 

The third game of the Big Ten Tournament for Minnesota provided another stunner.  Playing the Purdue Boilermakers, who were without star guard Robbie Hummel due to a season ending injury, Joseph helped to orchestrate a 69-42 blowout the then 6^th ranked Purdue.  He would finish with 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting and 4-of-4 from the line as well as seven off the glass and four assists in 22 minutes.

In the Big Ten Championship game, Minnesota faced Ohio State and though the game was close in the first half, the fifth ranked Buckeyes would pull away from the Gophers in the second in the 90-61 loss.  In this game, Joseph managed 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting making 4-of-7 from the arc including his two free throws.  He would also add an assist, a steal and a block in his 34 minutes of action to close out the great tournament run.

For the season, Joseph is averaging 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3 assists for the Gophers.  He’s shooting 39.8% from the field and an almost identical 39.7% from the three to go along with 73.6% from the charity stripe in 25.3 minutes per game. 

Honorable Mention:  Andrew Nicholson, St Bonaventure:  19 pts, 7 rbs, 1.5 asts, 2.5 blks, 13-of-31 from FG, 12-of-15 FT, 36 mins, two games.

Line of the Week

Andrew Nicholson (Mississauga, ON) – Soph., St Bonaventure

Andrew Nicholson is only going to get better, that’s the truth.  He’s still a work in progress and needs to add more strength but when he finally does, he will be a monster.  Nicholson showed the A-10 a glimpse of the monster he could be in the Bonnies 83-71 win of their opening round game of the A-10 Tournament against Duquesne on Mar 9.  Playing 36 minutes, he had 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots while going 8-of-13 from the field and shooting an excellent 9-of-11 from the line.  Just imagine if he gets stronger and the force he’ll be then.  Yikes.

Honorable Mention:  Andy Rautins, Syracuse:  14 pts, 10 asts, 3 rbs, a stl, 5-of-10 FG, 4-of-9 3PT FG, 0-of-0 FT, 38 mins vs. Georgetown Mar 11.