Big Ten hoops honors for Simpson

Lacey Simpson, a 6-1 Illini forward, collected her first weekly honor after posting a pair of double-doubles last week.

Against Michigan State on Thursday, the former Zion-Benton prep star tallied 12 points and grabbed 12 boards, also adding 7 steals, 4 blocks and 2 assists while shooting 54.5 percent from the field. In a win at Indiana on Sunday, Simpson contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds with a pair of assists, a block and three steals.

Simpson is the only Big Ten player averaging a double-double in conference play (10 points, 10.2 rebounds).