For the third time in four years, Kelsey Mitchell is the Big Ten Player of the Year – at least according to the coaches.
With three candidates all ranking in the top-five nationally in scoring, the Big Ten media and coaches split their decision. The media chose Iowa's Megan Gustafson – the Big Ten and nation's leading scorer – while the coaches chose Mitchell.
Mitchell finished second in the conference in scoring, averaging 24.4 points per game, and led the Buckeyes to their first regular-season Big Ten title since the 2009-10 season. She also became the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer earlier this season.
This is Mitchell's third Big Ten Player of the Year Award of her career. She first won the award following her freshman season in 2014-15, and won it a second time following her junior season in 2016-17.
In addition to Mitchell's player of the year award, Ohio State's Stephanie Mavunga was named first-team All-Big Ten and Linnae Harper was named to the conference's all-defensive team.
In addition, Harper was named second-team All-Big Ten while Asia Doss and Sierra Calhoun were named Big ten honorable. Everybody in the team's starting lineup earned at least an honorable mention.
Ohio State kicks off Big Ten Tournament action on Friday at noon when they play the winner of Thursday's game between Rutgers and Purdue.
