Sydney Wood Named to Big Ten All-Defensive Team
2/28/2023 11:03:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. - Sydney Wood was named to the second Big Ten All-Defensive Team of her career by both coaches and media, the conference announced Tuesday. Wood was also awarded All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors by the media, while Laya Harman received the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
In her fifth year with the Wildcats, Wood put together her most impressive showcase yet, setting career highs in every defensive category. Her 74 steals led the 'Cats during the regular season, while her 104 defensive boards and 32 blocks were both second on the roster. The 74 steals rank second in the Big Ten, 21st in the NCAA, and tie for tenth in Northwestern's single-season record books. Wood's lock-down 2022-23 campaign also bumped her into third place all-time with 239 career steals as a Wildcat.
One of three team captains, Wood helped the 'Cats as a whole to the top of the conference's defensive ranks as well. Individually, her 1.14 blocks per game come in at sixth in the Big Ten, while the 'Cats' combined 4.4 blocks per game ranks second in the conference and 33rd in the nation. Similarly, led by Wood, Northwestern's 9.3 steals per game finished the regular season fifth in the conference and 58th in the NCAA.
Wood joins her second Big Ten All-Defensive Team after also receiving the honor during her junior season in 2020-21. This year's All-Big Ten Honorable Mention is the third of her career, joining her junior and sophomore seasons.
Hartman, a senior, returned to the court on Thursday against Minnesota after missing the middle of the season due to injury. Despite her time away from the court, Hartman continued to provide energy and demonstrate strong work ethic, as she has through all four years at Northwestern.
Wood, Hartman and the Wildcats will head to Minneapolis this week to compete in the Big Ten Tournament at Target Center. They'll kick off their campaign against 11-seed Rutgers in the second slot on Wednesday afternoon.
In her fifth year with the Wildcats, Wood put together her most impressive showcase yet, setting career highs in every defensive category. Her 74 steals led the 'Cats during the regular season, while her 104 defensive boards and 32 blocks were both second on the roster. The 74 steals rank second in the Big Ten, 21st in the NCAA, and tie for tenth in Northwestern's single-season record books. Wood's lock-down 2022-23 campaign also bumped her into third place all-time with 239 career steals as a Wildcat.
One of three team captains, Wood helped the 'Cats as a whole to the top of the conference's defensive ranks as well. Individually, her 1.14 blocks per game come in at sixth in the Big Ten, while the 'Cats' combined 4.4 blocks per game ranks second in the conference and 33rd in the nation. Similarly, led by Wood, Northwestern's 9.3 steals per game finished the regular season fifth in the conference and 58th in the NCAA.
Wood joins her second Big Ten All-Defensive Team after also receiving the honor during her junior season in 2020-21. This year's All-Big Ten Honorable Mention is the third of her career, joining her junior and sophomore seasons.
Hartman, a senior, returned to the court on Thursday against Minnesota after missing the middle of the season due to injury. Despite her time away from the court, Hartman continued to provide energy and demonstrate strong work ethic, as she has through all four years at Northwestern.
Wood, Hartman and the Wildcats will head to Minneapolis this week to compete in the Big Ten Tournament at Target Center. They'll kick off their campaign against 11-seed Rutgers in the second slot on Wednesday afternoon.
Players Mentioned
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