Big Ten Daily (Jan. 30): Northwestern's Boo Buie Named Finalist For 2024 Bob Cousy Award

Northwestern guard Boo Buie was named a finalist for the the Bob Cousy Award. The Wildcats star is averaging 18.5 points and 5.3 assists per game, while making big plays in clutch moments throughout the season.

Northwestern guard Boo Buie has been named a finalist for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award. He was among 10 college basketball players on the list, and the only one out of the Big Ten.

Buie leads the Wildcats in scoring (18.5 points per game) and assists (5.3 per game) this season. But it's more than the numbers that have helped the Northwestern guard receive national attention. 

In the biggest moments, Buie has shined. He scored 31 points and dished out nine assists in Northwestern's 92-88 upset win over then-No. 1 Purdue in December. 

Buie was responsible for the go-ahead bucket in a tight game against Maryland on Jan. 17, leading the Wildcats to a 72-69 win.

Most recently, Buie scored 29 points and was responsible for seven assists in a 96-91 overtime win over No. 10 Illinois. He's a huge reason why the Wildcats are 15-5 this season with a 6-3 mark in Big Ten play — tied for third in the standings.

The complete top-10 list of candidates for the Bob Cousy Award includes:

• Isaiah Steves, Colorado State
• Jamal Shead, Houston
• Dajuan Harris Jr., Kansas
• Tyler Kolek, Marquette
• Jahvon Quinerly, Memphis
• Boo Buie, Northwestern
• Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
• Max Abmas, Texas
• Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
• Tristen Newton, UConn

Buie has been recognized as one of the top guards in college basketball because of his consistency and late-game heroics over the course of the season. He has more time to make his case for the prestigious Bob Cousy Award, too.

Northwestern has 11 Big Ten games remaining on the schedule, which includes road trips to No. 2 Purdue, Indiana, Maryland and Michigan State. If he plays as well on the road as he has at Welsh-Ryan Arena, he'll have a great chance to claim the honor.

Buie would be the first Big Ten player to win the award since Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu in 2021.

Does Izzo get 700 vs. Michigan?

Tom Izzo's 700th career victory was delayed after an 81-66 loss to No. 13 Wisconsin on Friday. Although he would've liked to pick up that win last week in Madison, it does set up a special opportunity on Tuesday night.

Izzo will have the opportunity to hit the mark in front of a home crowd on Tuesday night. Even better? The Spartans are playing in-state rival Michigan.

Why not grab win No. 700 at the Breslin Center while beating the Wolverines?

This season hasn't gone quite according to plan for Michigan State. The Spartans own a 12-8 record and sit at 4-5 in league play. They need to get things rolling in the second half of the season to have a more secure spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Tuesday's game against Michigan gives Michigan State an opportunity to carry momentum into the final month of the season. 

Tip-off between Michigan and Michigan State is set for 9 p.m. ET and the game airs on Peacock.

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