BEST of the WEEK | Jan. 19 | Awards based on games from Monday-Sunday
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kyle Korver, Creighton
I've said that my choice for early-season player of the year in college basketball is Kyle Korver, and he had a big week to back up my selection.
Mr. Korver hit 9-of-14 trifectas and scored 31 points in a win over Evansville. Then, on Saturday, he was impressive with 24 points and 11 rebounds in a come-from-behind win over Southern Illinois in a key Missouri Valley Conference matchup.
COACH OF THE WEEK: Matt Doherty, North Carolina
It was an important week down on Tobacco Road. The Tar Heels kept their unblemished home record vs. Clemson in a 68-66 nail-biter. North Carolina then earned a big 68-65 victory over Connecticut, a top-10 team, on Saturday.
Give Doherty credit for having his team prepared to play, jumping out to a big lead against the Huskies and then holding on.
CO-TEAMS OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma State and Auburn
Coach Eddie Sutton's Cowboys earned a pair of important Ws in Big 12 play, edging Oklahoma 48-46 and blowing out Missouri 76-56 (Missouri was missing suspended guard Ricky Clemons). Oklahoma State has been one of the surprise teams in the nation this season. Senior guard Victor Williams and company have made noise in the Big 12.
Meanwhile, Auburn got two big SEC victories. Coach Cliff Ellis' Tigers won at a difficult place to play -- just ask Florida coach Billy Donovan -- triumphing at South Carolina. The Tigers then beat ranked rival Alabama, racing out to an 8-0 lead en route to an important victory.
DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Rashad McCants, North Carolina
Freshman Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton have been the backcourt spark for the Tar Heels.
McCants scored 20 points on 8-of-13 from the floor in a hard-fought win over Clemson. He came through in the clutch on the foul line, converting 9-of-10 against Connecticut, finishing with 27 points vs. the Huskies.
SHOCK OF THE WEEK: South Florida over Memphis
Coach Seth Greenberg and South Florida went 0-5 on the road (including a loss at Wright State) before surprising coach John Calipari's Tigers. Memphis, which has quality wins over Illinois, Villanova, Syracuse and Mississippi, had never lost at home to South Florida, winning eight prior meetings there.
