Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes Named Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday

Indiana junior forward Mackenzie Holmes earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the third time in her career on Monday. Indiana coach Teri Moren said Holmes will go down in history as one of the hardest workers she's ever had. Her 75.9 shooting percentage last week paired with her can-do attitude keeps leading her to Big Ten awards.

IU Athletics

BLOOMINGTON Ind. — For the third time in her career, Indiana junior forward Mackenzie Holmes has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week announced by the league Monday.

Holmes won this honor last season in the beginning of March and has continued her momentum into this season. 

It should also be noted Holmes won Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times during her freshman debut back in the 2019-20 season.

"Mack will go down in program history as being one of our hardest workers," Indiana head coach Teri Moren said in a post game presser following the Ohio State game.

In Indiana's two wins over the Fairfield Stags and the Ohio State Buckeyes, Holmes averaged 26.5 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks and shot a whopping 75.9 percent from the floor. 

On top of those fat stats, Holmes shot 80 percent from the free throw line. Even more significant for a post player, she shot 50 percent from the arc showing a forward can definitely hang in three-point territory.

"I work on it every day," Holmes said. "I knew it (the confidence) was going to come eventually. It was just a matter of seeing that first one go in I think was the biggest thing for me. The confidence that I know my teammates and my coaches have in me shooting is also really helpful."

On Monday, the Hoosiers cruised to a 86-66 win over then ranked-No. 20 Ohio State. Holmes put up a career-high 30 points and joined the 1,000-point club, — 1,009 to be exact.

"Any time one of our players hits a milestone like that, obviously we're thrilled for them," Moren said. "I'm excited that Mack has been able to accomplish so much and still be so young in our program."

Holmes scored six-of-ten points in the Hoosiers 10-0 run to start the Big Ten matchup. She added added five blocks, moving her up to 128 career swats ranking seventh all-time in the record book.

Holmes always remains humble in her accomplishments and decorative resume and makes one thing crystal clear: "At the end of the day, I just want to win, and that's what's most important to me."

Related stories on Indiana women's basketball

• INDIANA STAYS AT NO. 10 IN AP POLL: Last week, the Hoosiers fell from No. 6 to No. 10 after falling to N.C. State 66-58 on Dec. 2. This time, they remain in the same, comfortable top 10 placement after defeating Ohio State 86-66 on Sunday. CLICK HERE.
• HOOSIERS CRUISE TO WIN OVER NO. 20 OHIO STATE: Junior forward Mackenzie Holmes didn't even know she hit the 1,000-point club in Indiana's second conference win, 86-66, over the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road. Instead, she focused on scoring 30 points and credited her teammates for being the best passers with selfless attitudes. CLICK HERE.
• INDIANA PREPS FOR SECOND BIG TEN GAME OF THE SEASON VERSUS OSU: The No. 10-ranked Hoosiers are coming off a dominant win versus Fairfield due in part to a fantastic shooting performance. The No. 20-ranked Buckeyes also have plenty of success shooting and is the Big Ten's highest scoring offense. Indiana hits the road to face another ranked opponent in Ohio State on Sunday in Columbus. CLICK HERE.