Scott Bruhn, Nebraska Communications
Big Ten Freshman of the Year: The Case for Alexis Markowski
Nebraska women's basketball has been one of the most undervalued yet successful programs in the nation this season. Not once has the team been ranked by the Associated Press or coaches polls, even though the team boasts a pair of top-10 victories and currently sits in the top 20 of the NET.
A giant part of that success is the emergence of freshman Alexis Markowski.
The six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week didn't make her first start of the season until an injury necessitated it. She answered the call with 20 points and seven rebounds.
Not bad for a first start, but especially so against the No. 8 team in the nation at the time.
Markowski has started every game since, averaging 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds a game. When you include her time off the bench the first 13 games of the season, she's averaging 12.5 points and 7.7 rebounds.
So why isn't the talented youngster from Lincoln receiving more hype as the league's frontrunner for Freshman of the Year (FOTY)?
Markowski boasts six Freshman of the Week honors from the conference as well as one USBWA National Freshman of the Week honor. Here are all the others to have won the Big Ten honor and how many weeks they've done so:
- Matilda Ekh, Michigan State, 2
- Laila Phelia, Michigan, 2
- Shyanne Sellers, Maryland, 2
- Jillian Brown, Northwestern, 1
- DeeDee Hagemann, Michigan State, 1
- Alanna Micheaux, Minnesota, 1
- Addison O'Grady, Iowa, 1
*The Big Ten has awarded Co-Freshman of the Week honors twice over the 14 weeks so far.
Looking at the past 10 FOTY winners, here are how many FOTW honors they each earned:
- 2020-21 Caitlin Clark, Iowa, 13
- 2019-20 Ashley Owusu, Maryland, 3
- 2018-19 Naz Hillmon, Michigan, 6
- 2017-18 Taylor Mikesell, Maryland, 2
- 2016-17 Destiny Pitts, Minnesota, 7
- 2015-16 Destiny Slocum, Maryland, 1
- 2014-15 Jessica Shephard, Nebraska, 10
- 2013-14 Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State, 7
- 2012-13 Amanda Zahui B., Minnesota, 7
- 2011-12 Maggie Lyon, Northwestern, 4
Among those listed above for 2021-22, Markowski is first in points scored and first in rebounding. That's for the entire season.
The next closest in both? Ekh with 11.6 points, while no one else ranks in the top 25 of the league.
But this is a conference award, so let's look at the conference-only ranks.
Markowski is No. 12 in points (15.4) and No. 7 in rebounds (8.4), both tops among the above list. Ekh is the only other one in the top 25 for league scoring, coming in at No. 19 (12.9). Micheaux slips in at No. 25 for league rebounding (4.9).
Looking at the other statistical categories for top-25 ranks in league games:
- Assists: No. 3 Hagemann, 6.0
- Blocks: No. 23 Ekh, 0.7
- Steals: No. 4 Sellers, 2.1
Even more than the pure statistics, Markowski's impact on the game changes the way other teams play. Defenses have to routinely collapse to try and keep her down. They get more physical with her than other players.
The result? Open shooters on the perimeter or free throws for Markowski.
And the physicality from opponents or extra bodies being in the paint haven't stopped Markowski from impacting the game. She's grabbed 15 rebounds three times in the past six games and has five double-doubles on the season.
Opponents are adjusting to Markowski, and she's still effective.
The Big Ten Network recently discussed potential FOTY honors. The leader? Shyanne Sellers of Maryland.
No offense to Sellers, but at this point in the season, it is Markowski against the field, with the field having plenty of ground to make up.
