Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe named to media's All-Big Ten second team

Gophers senior forward Trevor Mbakwe was named to the All-Big Ten second team on Monday, as selected by the media, for the second time in his career.

After sitting out the majority of last season with a torn ACL, Mbakwe returned as a centerpiece on this year's Gophers squad. As he did in 2010-11, Mbakwe led the Big Ten in rebounding (8.7 rpg), and finished third in blocked shots (62).

Owner of 10 double-doubles this season, Mbakwe was the Gophers' second leading scorer during conference play, averaging just under a double-double per game (10.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg).

Mbakwe was named to the coaches' All-Big Ten third team.

Mbakwe earned his first All-Big Ten second team honors in 2010-11, selected by both coaches and media.

Sophomore guard Andre Hollins joined Mbakwe as the only two Gophers players recognized in the Big Ten's slate of awards. Hollins, the Gophers' leading scorer, was named to the media's All-Big Ten third team, while being tagged to the coaches' honorable mention list.

The Gophers (20-11), who ended the season at 8-10 in the conference, open the Big Ten tournament on Thursday as nine-seed against No. 8 seed Illinois.

2012-13 Big Ten Awards

Player of the Year

Trey Burke - Michigan

Freshman of the Year

Gary Harris - Michigan State

Defensive Player of the Year

Victor Oladipo - Indiana

Sixth Man of the Year

Will Sheehey - Indiana

Coach of the Year

Bo Ryan -- Wisconsin

All-Big Ten First Team

Coaches

Victor Oladipo - Indiana
Cody Zeller - Indiana
Trey Burke - Michigan
Tim Hardaway Jr. - Michigan
Deshaun Thomas - Ohio State

Media

Victor Oladipo - Indiana
Cody Zeller - Indiana
Trey Burke - Michigan
Aaron Craft - Ohio State
Deshaun Thomas - Ohio State

All-Big Ten Second Team

Coaches

Keith Appling -- Michigan State
Gary Harris -- Michigan State
Adreian Payne -- Michigan State
Aaron Craft -- Ohio State
Jared Berggren - Wisconsin

Media

Tim Hardaway Jr. - Michigan
Gary Harris -- Michigan State
Adreian Payne -- Michigan State
Trevor Mbakwe - Minnesota
Jared Berggren - Wisconsin

All-Big Ten Third Team

Coaches

Brandon Paul -- Illinois
D.J. Richardson -- Illinois
Christian Watford -- Indiana
Roy Devyn Marble -- Iowa
Trevor Mbakwe -- Minnesota
Terone Johnson -- Purdue

Media

Brandon Paul -- Illinois
Christian Watford -- Indiana
Aaron White -- Iowa
Keith Appling -- Michigan State
Andre Hollins -- Minnesota

Honorable mention

Coaches

Jordan Hulls -- Indiana
Aaron White -- Iowa
Derrick Nix -- Michigan State
Andre Hollins -- Minnesota
Dylan Talley -- Nebraska
Jermaine Marshall -- Penn State
D.J. Newbill -- Penn State
Ben Brust -- Wisconsin

Media

D.J. Richardson -- Illinois
Yogi Ferrell -- Indiana
Jordan Hulls -- Indiana
Roy Devyn Marble -- Iowa
Glenn Robinson III -- Michigan
Dylan Talley -- Nebraska
Reggie Hearn -- Northwestern
Jermaine Marshall -- Penn State
D.J. Newbill -- Penn State
D.J. Byrd -- Purdue
Terone Johnson -- Purdue
Ben Brust -- Wisconsin
Sam Dekker -- Wisconsin

All-Defensive team

Victor Oladipo - Indiana
Jordan Morgan -- Michigan
Aaron Craft - Ohio State
Shannon Scott -- Ohio State
Jared Berggren -- Wisconsin

All-Freshman team

Yogi Ferrell -- Indiana
Glenn Robinson III -- Michigan
Gary Harris -- Michigan State
A.J. Hammons -- Purdue
Sam Dekker -- Wisconsin

Nate Sandell is a contributor to 1500ESPN.com.
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