Nov. 28, 2005
WEEKLY AWARDS
CO-TEAM OF THE WEEK: Connecticut and Texas
The Huskies won the tough Maui Invitational by beating Arkansas, Arizona and Gonzaga in a three-day span. Connecticut is having success and Jim Calhoun's team doesn't have Marcus Williams in the lineup yet. He returns to play January 3rd. Denham Brown hit the game-winning shot against Gonzaga.
The Longhorns won the Guardians Classic by beating West Virginia and Iowa in successive nights. LaMarcus Aldridge and PJ Tucker are forces on the baseline for Texas. Rick Barnes' team completed a big week with a blowout of Louisiana-Monroe.
CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Adam Morrison, Gonzaga and Shelden Williams, Duke
Morrison had the performance of the week with 43 points in a triple-overtime thriller over Michigan State. He also totaled 43 points in his other two performances at Maui, against Maryland and Connecticut.
Williams totaled 50 points and 17 rebounds in the NIT Season Tip-Off wins over Drexel and Memphis. He hit 18-of-28 shots from the field in the two victories.
CO-SHOCK OF THE WEEK: Illinois-Chicago over Georgia Tech and Iona over Iowa State
It was not a misprint: Illinois-Chicago 73, Georgia Tech 51 at Atlanta. Yes, Jimmy Collins' team had lost two days earlier to unheralded St. Xavier. Paul Hewitt's team really struggled in this loss.
Iowa State was favored to win its own Cyclone Challenge. Ricky Soliver and Steve Burtt Jr. had other ideas as each scored 23 points in Iona's 89-72 stunner at Ames.
COACH OF THE WEEK: Pat Flannery, Bucknell
Last season, he led the Bison to upsets over Pittsburgh and Kansas. This season, an experienced Bucknell team went into the Carrier Dome and stunned Jim Boeheim's ranked Orange. Bucknell didn't have any letdown when it beat Yale to end the week, 87-60.
DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Shawne Williams, Memphis
If you have not seen this young man play, get tickets soon … you will be in for a treat. He put on a show against UCLA, hitting five trifectas while finishing with 26 points. Despite foul trouble early, he scored 15 points and grabbed eight boards in a nailbiting loss to Duke.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
