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Gophers junior center Liam Robbins added his second national and conference weekly awards Monday by being honored as the Big Ten and Naismith Award player of the week.
The 7-foot Robbins spearheaded the 75-57 upset Saturday over No. 7 Michigan by leading the team with 22 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes. That victory lifted the Gophers to No. 17 in the latest Associated Press poll, up from No. 23.
Robbins ranks second on the team in scoring (13.8), first in rebounding (7.3) and leads the Big Ten in blocks (2.6) this season.
After transferring from Drake, the Iowa native has started all 15 games and helped the Gophers go undefeated at home so far this season with an 11-0 record, including victories over Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan.
In those four victories against ranked opponents at home, Robbins averaged 21.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.3 steals. He also shot 61.7% (29-for-47) from the field, 78.1% (25-for-32) from the foul line and 50% (6-for-12) from three-point range.
In early January, Robbins won the Big Ten player of the week award and Oscar Robertson national player of the week award after his 27-point, 14-rebound, five-block performance in a 17-point victory over Ohio State.
The Gophers had their scheduled game Wednesday at Nebraska postponed with the Cornhuskers on pause due to COVID-19. They are scheduled to play Maryland on Saturday at Williams Arena.
