After the first ten games of the 2006–07 season, Carter showed marked improvement, not only starting in each of the games, but leading the team in scoring with a 13.0 points per game. Carter was forced into a leading scoring role based on key early season injuries to Brian Randle and Jamar Smith. On November 28, 2006, he recorded a double-double in a loss to Maryland, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. In the following game, a loss to Arizona, he had another double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He also received the Big Ten Medal of Honor. First awarded in 1914, the Big Ten endowed a Medal of Honor to be given annually to a student in the graduating class of each university that demonstrated proficiency in scholarship and athletics. In 34 games, he averaged 13.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.