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When Isaac Asuma scored 32 points in Minnesota’s exhibition loss to Creighton, it became clear he was ready to elevate his game in 2026-27. Now, after four regular-season games, he looks like one of the best guards in the Big Ten.
Asuma’s 2026-27 stats (4 games)
FG: 57.1% (10.5 attempts per game)
3P: 47.6% (5.3 attempts per game)
FT: 66.7% (3.0 attempts per game)
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Asuma’s previous career high was 18 points. He set a new mark with 20 points against St. Thomas, and he topped that again with 23 points against Southern on Thursday night at The Barn. He’s scoring at a higher rate, but his efficiency has been what’s most encouraging. He shot 39.7% from the field and 30.4% from three last season, so seeing both numbers dramatically increase is a great sign.
Like the entire Gophers team right now, his 2.8 turnovers per game aren’t great, but Asuma has made up for it on the defensive end. His defensive analytics are among the best in the country. It’s a small sample size, but his 0.5 defensive win shares are currently tied for the most in the country.
Big Ten outlook
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. is still the betting favorite to win National Player of the Year, and he currently leads the country with 10.3 assists per game. Beyond that, Asuma has made an early statement that he should be considered among the conference’s best guards this season.
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For example, Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau is averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. His backcourt mate, Trey McKenney, is more of a true shooting guard, and he’s averaging 18.0 points. However, he’s shooting 40.4% from the field, which is far less efficient than Asuma.
Illinois freshmen guards Quentin Coleman and Ethan Brown are two players to keep an eye on as they look to replace Keaton Wagler in that role. Meanwhile, the Illini’s transfer guard, Stefan Vaaks, is behind Asuma in almost every category.
Across the rest of the league, UCLA duo Trent Perry and Jaylen Petty have gotten off to solid starts. Their LA…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/small-town-minnesota-big-ten-154826166.html
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Publish date : 2026-11-13 15:48:00
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