The Big Ten Conference recently announced its regular season awards, and the Wisconsin Badgers had reason to celebrate, albeit with some disappointment as well. Star player John Tonje was honored as a unanimous All-Big Ten first-team selection, earning recognition from both the coaches and the media. However, he was the only Wisconsin player to receive such an accolade, as no other Badgers were named to the first, second, or third teams, nor did anyone make the All-Defensive team.
One player who arguably deserved more recognition was John Blackwell, who was named as an honorable mention by both voting bodies. This has led to discussions about whether he was snubbed from earning a spot on an official All-Big Ten team.
All-Big Ten Second Team Selections
Coaches:
- Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
- Danny Wolf, Michigan
- Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
- Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
- Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Media:
- Derik Queen, Maryland
- Danny Wolf, Michigan
- Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
- Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
- Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
The top ten players in the Big Ten, as judged by both the coaches and the media, were relatively consistent. The only difference was in the selection of Derik Queen and Vladislav Goldin, with Queen earning first-team honors from the coaches while the media selected Goldin for that spot.
Goldin and Wolf were standout players for Michigan, a top-three team in the conference. Wolf played a crucial role as a point forward, orchestrating much of the offense, while Goldin led the team with an impressive 16.7 points per game on 64.2 percent shooting from the field.
Nick Martinelli had a compelling case for first-team honors as well, leading the Big Ten in scoring at 20.2 points per game. Despite injuries limiting Northwestern’s overall effectiveness, he remained a key figure in their offensive scheme. Meanwhile, Dawson Garcia averaged 19.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for a Minnesota team that finished with a 7-13 record in conference play, showcasing efficient shooting splits of 47.2/36.4/77.5.
Bruce Thornton provided a similar level of impact, leading Ohio State with 17.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. His 49.7 percent shooting from the field and 42.6 percent three-point accuracy made him an integral part of Ohio State’s 9-11 Big Ten campaign.
The selections indicate that voters prioritized individual performances over team success, rewarding standout players even on struggling teams.
All-Big Ten Third Team Selections
Coaches:
- Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland
- Jaden Akins, Michigan State
- Jase Richardson, Michigan State
- Nate Bittle, Oregon
- Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
- Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Media:
- Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland
- Jase Richardson, Michigan State
- Ace Bailey, Rutgers
- Dylan Harper, Rutgers
A tie among the coaches resulted in seven players earning third-team recognition. Jakucionis and Gillespie were both essential playmakers, with Jakucionis averaging 15.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while Gillespie contributed 14.9 points and 4.7 assists on highly efficient shooting splits.
Michigan State was represented by both Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins. Richardson emerged as the team’s top player in the second half of the season, averaging 11.6 points on efficient shooting splits. Akins, though Michigan State’s leading scorer at 12.9 points per game, struggled with efficiency, shooting just 39.9 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three.
Oregon’s third-team representatives, Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle, played key roles in their team’s strong finish. Shelstad averaged 13.3 points while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from deep, whereas Bittle led the Ducks with 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau earned recognition for his 14 points per game on 50.5 percent shooting, helping UCLA maintain strong defensive performances.
Meanwhile, Rutgers’ Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper were named to the media’s third team but did not appear on the coaches’ ballot. Harper led Rutgers with 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, while Bailey posted 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. Despite these strong numbers, Rutgers’ underwhelming 15-16 overall record likely hurt their case.
Blackwell’s Case for Recognition
John Blackwell had an argument for inclusion on an All-Big Ten team, particularly when compared to some of the third-team selections.
Though often considered the second-best player on a Wisconsin team that performed well, he excelled in key statistical categories, even surpassing teammate John Tonje in certain advanced metrics such as BPR. His impact on games, particularly in clutch moments, was evident throughout the season.
Wisconsin’s balanced offensive approach meant that all five starters averaged near double-digit scoring, but Blackwell and Tonje clearly stood out. Blackwell posted 15.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from deep. His defensive contributions were also notable, often guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
Comparing him to some third-team selections, Blackwell had better numbers than both Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins, though Richardson’s shooting efficiency helped his case. Akins, however, had a lower shooting percentage and was less of a playmaker than Blackwell.
Blackwell also outperformed Jackson Shelstad in multiple categories, including scoring and shooting efficiency. Additionally, he played on a better team than several of the third-team selections, which should have strengthened his case for recognition.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Blackwell’s omission from an official All-Big Ten team is surprising given his production and importance to Wisconsin’s success. While subjective criteria always play a role in these awards, the comparison between Blackwell and some third-team selections suggests he had a legitimate case to be included. His contributions to the Badgers this season were significant, and his absence from the list raises questions about the selection criteria used by both the coaches and the media.
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