Three Big Ten stars are atop the NCAA’s scoring leaderboard. 

Iowa’s Luka Garza (28.8 points per game), Minnesota’s Marcus Carr (24.6) and Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu (24.1) lead the nation in scoring — all three of whom are Big Ten upperclassmen. 

Garza, and to a lesser degree, Dosunmu, came into the season as National Player of the Year candidates. Both have played up to expectation to this point in the year and are leading ranked squads.

Carr is in a little bit of a different spot as the Golden Gophers are 8-1, but haven’t quite broken through into the top 25. However, that could change in the next couple days as Minnesota is coming off an upset win over Garza’s Hawkeyes.

Carr was outstanding in the Gophers’ win over Iowa, scoring 30 points while also contributing 8 assists and 5 rebounds.

Dosunmu is also coming off a 30-point performance, as he led the Illini over Indiana on Saturday afternoon. He scored 20 points after halftime and closed out a Hoosiers squad that never stopped threatening in the second half.

The Big Ten’s basketball slate continues on Monday.