Feb. 13, 2006

WEEKLY AWARDS

CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: J. J. Redick, Duke and Chris Lofton, Tennessee

Both players put on shows on the road. Redick had 35 points in each of Duke's two wins, at North Carolina and at Maryland. Lofton had 31 points in a victory at Kentucky, and 33 points at Georgia. Lofton also set a school record with nine trifectas in the victory over the Bulldogs.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Connecticut

Jim Calhoun's squad was impressive in a pair of Big East wins. First came a 73-50 blowout over Syracuse. The Huskies followed that up with a road win over an improving Seton Hall club, 99-57. Rudy Gay and company showed their muscle.

COACH OF THE WEEK: Thad Matta, Ohio State

The Buckeyes are supposed to be super next season with Greg Oden and company coming in. Matta has the Buckeyes challenging in the Big Ten this season. Ohio State won at Michigan, and then did the job in handling Illinois.

DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Marcus Green, Purdue

The 6-4 guard came into Saturday's game against Michigan averaging just five points per game. He went wild against the Wolverines, scoring 23 big points in a 84-70 rout of Tommy Amaker's club. The final score was not indicative of the ease as Green scored 18 first-half points.

SHOCK OF THE WEEK: South Carolina over Florida

The Gamecocks went into Gainesville and snapped the Gators' 20-game home win streak. Florida looked so impressive in beating Kentucky a few days earlier, and Dave Odom's squad opened some eyes with this stunner.

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.