Dec. 26, 2005

WEEKLY AWARDS

Team of the week: Illinois

When Bruce Weber lost Deron Williams, Roger Powell and Luther Head off of last season's national finalist squad, few would have expected the Illini to go 12-0 to start the season. Illinois showed something in the Braggin' Rights game against Missouri, blowing out the Tigers, 82-50. It was the largest margin in the 25-year history of the series.

Co-Player of the week: Rodney Carney, Memphis and Tyrone Nelson, New Mexico State

Carney put on a show against Louisiana Tech, scoring 37 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. Nelson dominated with 31 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Texas-San Antonio.

Shock of the week: West Virginia over Oklahoma

The Mountaineers came into the contest with a 6-3 record and walked out of Oklahoma City with a shocking 92-68 win over the seventh-ranked Sooners. Kevin Pittsnogle scored 25 points as the Mountaineers shot 67 percent from the field (32-of-48), but the margin was the biggest surprise of all.

Coach of the week: Billy Donovan, Florida

The Gators lost Anthony Roberson, Matt Walsh and David Lee, yet Donovan's team has run out to a school-record 11-0 start. Florida won at Miami, 77-67 behind Joakim Noah's 18 point, eight rebound, six blocked shot performance. Donovan's team won despite poor shooting from Corey Brewer and Taurean Green (combined five-of-23).Donovan has done a terrific job during the pre-conference schedule.

Diaper dandy of the week: Marcus Williams, Arizona

The 6-7 forward from Seattle shot the lights out, hitting 14-of-17 field goal attempts while averaging 16 ppg. in wins over Sam Houston State and Western Kentucky (the latter was an overtime thriller).

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.