PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Dylan Harper has again been recognized for one of the best individual weeks in college basketball.
Harper was named the NCAA’s March Madness Player of the Week in the country by Andy Katz and was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week. It’s the third time he was named to the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week award, as the Franklin Lakes, N.J. native passed Corey Sanders for winning the award the most times in school history. Harper was also named to his first All-Met Player of the Week award on Tuesday.
Harper was the Scarlet Knights leading scorer in victories over Penn State and Jersey foe Seton Hall last week.
With 6.4 seconds remaining and the game tied against Seton Hall on Saturday, Harper dribbled up the court and launched a three from 28 feet out, hitting nothing but net and erupting Jersey Mike’s Arena. He earned the Joe Calabrese MVP plaque. Harper directed a second-half comeback over the Pirates and had 18 of his 24 points out of the break marking his ninth 20-plus point performance of the season.
On Tuesday Harper led the victory over the Nittany Lions marking the Scarlet Knight’s first conference win. He had his first double-double (24 points, 12 rebounds), a career-high in rebounds, and five assists.
Harper won the award in two of three weeks and previously won following a historic weekly performance, including a victory over Notre Dame in overtime and tough losses to No. 9 Alabama, No. 20 Texas A&M, and Kennesaw State. His first nomination followed performances in which he was the Scarlet Knights leading scorer in both victories over Monmouth and Saint Peter’s.
Harper and the (7-4) Scarlet Knights return to the court on Saturday when they take on Princeton in the Nev
