BEST of the WEEK | Dec. 8 (awards based on games from Monday-Sunday)

	Coach Mike Brey and Notre Dame probably won't be sneaking up on anyone else this season.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Notre Dame
What an amazing turn of events: There was sadness when Notre Dame's football team failed to get into a BCS bowl, but the basketball team turned some heads with three huge victories.

Coach Mike Brey has put together a super team, and the Irish made a statement with three big-time wins in a span of just six days. Notre Dame beat Marquette, Maryland and Texas to earn Team of the Week honors.

Torin Francis has emerged as a force inside. Chris Thomas has been outstanding on the perimeter, leading the attack at the point. Danny Miller has been a big asset, scoring 17 points against his former team, Maryland. Matt Carroll has shown tremendous shooting range.

The Fighting Irish put together three brilliant performances. This club has displayed more scoring punch than last year's team, and that club gave Duke a battle in the NCAA Tournament.

A salute to Mike Brey and Notre Dame for three impressive Ws!

COACH OF THE WEEK: Bill Self, Illinois
In many eyes, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Fighting Illini. Illinois lost Frank Williams, Cory Bradford and Robert Archibald, and many thought they would be starting from scratch, especially on the perimeter.

But Self brought in a pair of backcourt diaper dandies: Dee Brown and Deron Williams. The Illini have rolled on, winning three games last week. First came a rout over Western Illinois (85-56), then a 27-point win over North Carolina in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Illini outscored the Tar Heels 50-25 over the final 17 minutes.

Finally Illinois closed out the week with a four-point road win over Arkansas. It's never easy to win in Little Rock. Self has also relied on the inside play of Brian Cook, who returned from a two-game suspension to shine.

Illinois has been an early-season surprise, baby!

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Blake Stepp, Gonzaga
Some questioned whether Gonzaga could replace the talented Dan Dickau. Blake Stepp has helped provide the answer. The junior guard had a big-time week as the Zags won three games, including a pair of OT thrillers.

He had 34 points, including 12-of-12 from the charity stripe, in a 110-104 overtime thriller over Washington State, offsetting a 42-point effort by Marcus Moore. He also had seven rebounds and six assists in that W.

Against Washington in another OT tester, he had 33 points, hitting 8-of-12 field goals, plus 16-of-20 from the foul line. Stepp also scored 22 points and dished out nine assists in a victory over Montana.

There's no doubt Stepp has been a clutch player for coach Mark Few's Zags.

DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Torin Francis, Notre Dame
There have been so many diaper dandies shining early this season: the trio at North Carolina, Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse, Duke's outstanding class, Bracey Wright of Indiana, Brown at Illinois ... and on and on.

Get used to this name: Torin Francis of Notre Dame. He's getting better and better with experience. He has been an active force on the glass and inside, scoring in the low post. He had a brilliant week: 13 rebounds in the win over Marquette; 20 points (making all eight field goal attempts) and eight boards vs. Maryland; and then a team-high 21 points, including four clutch free throws down the stretch, in the upset of Texas.

SHOCK OF THE WEEK: West Virginia over Florida
It was supposed to be a homecoming for Brett Nelson. Florida went to Charleston, West Virginia, and left with a shocking loss as John Beilein earned his first big victory as Mountaineers head coach.

Nelson made just 3-of-13 shots, and Drew Schifino scored 16 points to send the Gators home with a 68-66 loss.