By Susan Harman

IOWA CITY, Iowa – This week the Big Ten will announce its honor teams, first- and second-team all-conference, player of the year, and the all-freshman team.

Iowa has nominated Hannah Stuelke, its 6-foot-2 freshman from Cedar Rapids for the freshman team. Stuelke has worked her way into being the first post off the bench as she subs at both center and power forward. She averages 8.8 points per game and 5.1 rebounds in 15.3 minutes.

The competition among Big Ten freshmen is fierce this season with many first-years starting for their teams. These are the contenders and their Big Ten statistics.

*Yarden Garzon, Indiana, averages 10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 43 percent from 3-point range and plays 32 minutes a game. She has been freshman of the week three times.

*Cotie McMahon, Ohio State, averages 14 points, five rebounds and 27.4 minutes per game. She has been conference freshman of the week five times. (Stats are all games; OSU didn’t list Big Ten stats)

*Kaylene Smikle, Rutgers, leads team in scoring with 19.6 ppg. Averages 4.5 rebounds, 35 percent from 3-point range and plays 22.2 minutes. She has been freshman of the week twice.

*Serah Williams, Wisconsin, averages 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, .574 from the floor and plays 27.4 minutes per game. She was freshman of the week once.

*Mara Braun, Minnesota, averages 13.4 points, 2.7 assists, .367 from 3-point range and .848 from the free-throw line. She has been freshman of the week twice.

Others include Mallory Heyer and Rose Michaeux of Minnesota and Shay Ciezki of Penn State, all of whom are starters.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder isn’t put off by the fact that Stuelke comes off the bench.

“To me it’s a no-brainer that she should be on that team because even though she’s not a starter, look at where those kids are starting,” Bluder said. “They’re starting on the bottom tier teams, right, for the most part except for Cotie McMahon.

“Hannah’s not a starter because we had a lot of people coming back, but you shouldn’t penalize her because of that. You should look at their play on the floor. Those guys might have inflated statistical numbers in points and rebounds because they play more minutes, but if you break it down per minute Hannah Stuelke is at the top of the list.”

She has a point. Stuelke’s points and rebounds per minutes played puts  her right with these other freshmen who’ve gotten more attention. The Big Ten will announced the honor teams at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.