Senior guard Payton Willis has been named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week after his outstanding performance against Rutgers, announced today by the league office. He shares the award with Hunter Dickinson. It marks the second time this season the Fayetteville Ark., native has received the award.

Payton Willis scored 32 of the team's 68 points in the win over Rutgers Saturday. With Minnesota down three starters, Willis stepped up in a big way, and guided the Gophers to their second Big Ten win of the season and first home league win this year. His 32 points marked a new career high for the senior, previously beating 29 he had in double overtime against Princeton earlier this year. Willis hit eight three-pointers in the game, which was a new career best and tied a program record. He finished the game 11-of-17, 8-of-13 from three (4-4 in the second half), had three rebounds, seven assists and a steal. In addition, Willis hit back-to-back free throws with :02 seconds left to secure the win. With his 32 points, Willis established his 500th points at Minnesota, through the 2019-20 season and now this year in 2021-22. He currently has 1,098 career points throughout his college career.

The Gophers host for the second-straight game when No. 16 Ohio State comes to town, Thursday Jan. 27. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (changed from originally 6 p.m.) and will be televised on ESPN. The game will also be broadcast on KFAN 100.3 with Mike Grimm and Spencer Tollackson. Thursday's game is also Minnesota's Coaches vs. Cancer game as Gopher men's basketball will raise awareness in the fight against cancer.