Dec. 19, 2005
WEEKLY AWARDS
Team of the week: Tennessee
The Volunteers entered Saturday with a 5-0 record, but the victories came against East Tennessee State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State and Appalachian State. Bruce Pearl's team had what many considered its first true test in its first game out of state. Tennessee dominated at Texas from start to finish. The Vols relied on the 3-pointer early and often in a 95-78 rout of the Longhorns. How about a salute to Pearl and Tennessee, a team capable of making some noise in the SEC thanks to the backcourt of C.J. Watson and Chris Lofton. The Vols are tough on the glass and a team to watch.
Player of the week: Rajon Rondo, Kentucky
There was some pressure on the star guard after the Wildcats lost three games, including a rout against Indiana. Rondo came through big-time against in-state rival Louisville, scoring a career-high 25 points while dishing out seven assists in 35 minutes.
Shocks of the week:
There were plenty of them over the week. DePaul ended Wake Forest's home win streak at 21. The Blue Demons then got steamrolled at Old Dominion. Tennessee destroyed Texas in Austin. Illinois-Chicago beat Northwestern. South Alabama knocked off Houston. Marist toppled Big East member St. John's at Madison Square Garden.
Coach of the week: Ben Howland, UCLA
The Bruins have been banged up and shorthanded all season. Howland had a tough decision to make when he didn't start Ryan Wright because the diaper dandy was three minutes late. Howland made all the right moves as the Bruins went into Ann Arbor and escaped the Maize Craze that was the Michigan crowd, beating Amaker's Army.
Diaper dandy of the week: Devan Downey, Cincinnati
He's quietly been one of the best newcomers in the Big East. He had strong showings against a pair of underrated teams in surprisingly easy Bearcat wins. Downey scored a career-high 24 points in a 86-58 win over Ohio U. He then totaled 16 points, dished nine assists and grabbed seven boards in a 105-62 victory over a Tennessee Tech team that came in with a 6-1 record.
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.
