March 9, 2026
It’s the awards season with the Big Ten announcing their awards on Tuesday, so we are giving the Sturdy Awards from IlliniGuys. As always, these are subjective and reflect only one man’s opinion. But, it is certainly fun, and of course I am right.
Without further delay, here they are. The 2026 Sturdy Big Ten Awards.
All-Big Ten First Team
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Jeremy Fears, Michigan State
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Nick Boyd, Wisconsin
The top 3 on this list are pretty easy selections, but there are 3 or 4 other guys with an argument for the final 2 first team slots. Lendeborg does it all on both ends. Wagler has been the biggest surprise in the country, and was my pick before a late season fade. The nutcracker is a dynamic point guard that makes Michigan State go. Sandfort has been excellent on offense, and a key to the Nebraska renaissance. (Or is it just a birth instead of a rebirth?).
All-Big Ten Second Team
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Morez Johnson, Michigan
Braden Smith, Purdue
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Smith has not had the year many expected, nor has Purdue, but he is still a great PG. Wilkerson is a microwave. Stirtz has shown he can do it at the highest level and pulled a middling Iowa squad along. Morez Johnson is a dominant force on both ends and a first round pick. Thornton can score with anyone and will finally get a chance to lead OSU into the dance.
All-Big Ten Third Team
Aday Mara, Michigan
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Martinelli is a walking bucket on a bad team. Steinbach impacts both ends and is a growing offensive player. Blackwell pairs with Boyd to make an elite backcourt. Mara has been a huge defensive presence, but also can score when needed. Bilodeau is the best shooter in the league and he does it at 6’9
Snubs
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Donovan Dent, UCLA
Trey Kauffman-Renn, Purdue
Dent has finished strong to lead a UCLA resurgence, and Mirkovic has been a pillar of consistency for the Illini. At times he is the most important player for Illinois. TKR is a tremendous player, but he was better served last year with space to work in the post and a defensive stopper next to him.
All-Defensive Team Selections
Aday Mara, Michigan
Carson Cooper, Michigan State
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska
Jeremy Fears, Michigan State
It is so difficult to determine these five selections, in part because there are so many deserving candidates, but also Sometimes defense is difficult to gauge. Is it black shots? Is it steals? Stocks? Personally, it is the impact for me. These guys had a huge impact on the games. The biggest snub here is Morez Johnson, but 4 players from the state of Michigan is enough.
All-Freshman Team Selections
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Trey McKenney, Michigan
Braden Fraser, Nebraska
In other years, Mirkovic and Steinbach would have been great selections as Frosh of the Year, but Wagler has been that good. Fraser is an elite shooter and McKenney accepted a lesser role and has proved to be a key for the Wolverines.
Player of the Year - Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
The best player on a dominant 19-1 team deserves the award. He is a true 2 way player that has the offensive and defensive versatility to play and defend multiple positions.
Defensive Player of the Year - Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
His defensive versatility and ability to post rebounds, steals and blocks while guarding 5 positions makes him the DPOY.
Freshman of the Year - Keaton Wagler, Illinois
This is the easiest selection, even with it being a strong year for freshmen across college basketball and the Big Ten. Keaton Wagler has had a dynamic season and is now a projected lottery pick.
Sixth Man of the Year - Braden Fraser, Nebraska
The freshman is an off the bench shooter that can put up buckets in a hurry. Had Illinois started Jake Davis all year, this would probably be the Andrej Stojakovic award, but Fraser gets the nod.
Coach of the Year - Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
The mayor has been incredibly good this year for the Huskers and has them in a great spot to win an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since, well, ever.
Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year- Tyler Underwood, Illinois
It’s always hard to pick this one without going in depth for each program, but Illinois offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood found Keaton Wagler and has helped facilitate the most efficient offense in the Ken Pom era.
