Zeller named co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Adding to an already decorated first year in college basketball, Cody Zeller was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year on Monday evening.

After Zeller and Michigan’s Trey Burke each won seven Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards, both shared the season honor.

The media selected Burke as the best freshman of the 2011-12 season, while the coaches voted for Zeller.

In being named the 2012 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Zeller becomes the eighth Hoosier to ever capture the honor.

The last IU player to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year was Eric Gordon in 2008.

Zeller was also named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and was the lone Hoosier named to any of the all-conference teams.

The Washington, Ind., native led the Hoosiers with 15.5 points per game during Big Ten play while shooting 61.6 percent from the field.

He leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage and scored in double figures in 15 of 18 conference games this season.

Also on Monday, Zeller shared the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award with Burke.

Zeller captured seven of those honors during the weeks of Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 19, Jan. 9, Feb. 13 and March 5.

— Kevin Bowen