Rutgers’ Tariq Francis Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention

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The Big Ten media and coaches have released their all-Big Ten teams for the 2025-2026 season, with Rutgers guard Tariq Francis being the only Scarlet Knight to receive all-Big Ten recognition. He was named an all-Big Ten honorable mention by the media.

Francis has been the most dynamic scorer for the Knights all season, posting an average of 16.2 points per game this season. He has had 24 games of 10 or more points and three games of 30 or more points. He joins Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper as the only Knights to post 30 or more points three times in a single season since Steve Pikiell became the team’s head coach 10 years ago.

Arguably, his best performance of the season came against Penn, where he totaled 34 points and nailed a buzzer-beating three-point shot to secure the win. His other 30-point performances came against Northwestern and Oregon, where he helped the Knights secure their first two Big Ten wins of the season. His other notable performances this season include scoring 28 points against Indiana, 26 points against USC, and 25 points against Michigan State.

In addition to his shot-making ability from the field, his presence has provided some stability at the free-throw line for Rutgers. His 90.8 free-throw shooting percentage for the season ranks third in program history, and he is currently rated eighth in the nation for free-throw percentage.

Francis was not the only Rutgers men’s basketball player to get recognized, as guard Jamicheal Davis was named to the Big Ten Sportsmanship Team, an honor that recognizes student-athletes who distinguish themselves through good sportsmanship.

Rutgers first game of the Big Ten tournament will be against Minnesota tomorrow at the United Center in Chicago, 25 minutes after the conclusion of game 5, at approximately 9 pm. That game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

The 2025-2026 All-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Teams

COACHES

Player of the Year:
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Defensive Player of the Year:
Aday Mara, Michigan

Freshman of the Year:
Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Sixth Man of the Year:
Braden Frager, Nebraska

Coach of the Year:
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska

Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year:
Sharif Chambliss, Wisconsin

First Team
Braden Smith, Purdue
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska

Second Team
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Nick Boyd, Wisconsin
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern

Third Team
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Aday Mara, Michigan
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Hannes Steinbach, Washington

Honorable Mention
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State
Cade Tyson, Minnesota
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Donovan Dent, UCLA

MEDIA

Player of the Year:
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Freshman of the Year:
Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Coach of the Year:
Dusty May, Michigan

First Team
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
YAXEL LENDEBORG, Michigan
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Braden Smith, Purdue

Second Team
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Nick Boyd, Wisconsin

Third Team
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Aday Mara, Michigan
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Hannes Steinbach, Washington

Honorable Mention
Kylan Boswell, Illinois
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State
Cade Tyson, Minnesota
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Tariq Francis, Rutgers
Donovan Dent, UCLA

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