BEST of the WEEK | Jan. 31, 2005
Awards based on games from Monday through Sunday
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Allan Ray, Villanova
Coach Jay Wright's Wildcats have been hot, and junior guard Allan Ray was a key in wins over Notre Dame and at Rutgers.
Ray scored 23 big points against the Irish. He led the Wildcats with 21 points, hitting 7-of-10 field goals as the Wildcats handed Rutgers its worst home loss in the 27-year history of the RAC (Rutgers Athletic Center).
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Illinois
Coach Bruce Weber's Illini posted a pair of big victories. First came the come-from-behind win at Wisconsin, snapping the Badgers' 38-game home winning streak. Then Illinois took care of business at home against Minnesota in an emotional setting as the school celebrated its 100th anniversary of basketball. Former coach Lou Henson and many ex-Illini players were in attendance.
COACH OF THE WEEK: Gary Williams, Maryland
After a home loss to NC State, the Terps responded in fine fashion with a pair of big wins as Gary Williams got his team back on track.
Maryland stunned the Cameron Crazies on Wednesday night, and followed it up with a win over Georgia Tech on Sunday. Williams knows how to motivate his troops, and they were prepared as it showed with those important victories.
SHOCK OF THE WEEK: Washington State over Arizona
Coach Lute Olson's Wildcats had won 38 straight meetings against the Cougars. Coach Dick Bennett's team was happy to end that streak, winning 70-63 at Tucson.
Washington State entered the game 8-9 overall and 3-5 in the Pac-10. Arizona came in 17-3 overall and 7-1 in the Pac-10. The Wildcats had momentum after beating Washington earlier in the week. Instead, Washington State hit 12-of-21 3-pointers, including seven by Thomas Kelati.
DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Kyle Hines, UNC Greensboro
A 6-foot-6 freshman forward, Kyle Hines had a monster game as coach Fran McCaffrey's UNC Greensboro squad rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit to earn a 62-57 decision over UT-Chattanooga.
Hines had 24 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots in the win. He already holds the school's single-season record for blocks.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
