Weekly Awards: Cam Boozer, Iowa State make statements
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cameron Boozer, Duke
Cam Boozer was our frontrunner in the National Player of the Year rankings last week, and much of it had to do with the way that he performed in his last two games. After going for 29 points and six boards in the win over Florida, including the game-winning assist, he followed that up with 18 points, 15 boards and five assists, the majority of which came in the second half, in a win at Michigan State. One of those five assists set up Caleb Foster’s game-clinching three, while he also set up Isaiah Evans for the three on which he got fouled a possession earlier.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Iowa State
The Cyclones proved themselves one of the very best teams in college basketball on Saturday afternoon, as they went into Mackey Arena and handed out one of the worst beatdowns we’ve ever seen of a No. 1 team. The final score was 81-58, and it put TJ Otzelberger’s group into rarified air. They are now one of the top two teams on KenPom and look every bit the part of a team built to be able to cut down the nets in April.
COACH OF THE WEEK: Red Autry, Syracuse
Red Autry badly needed a win to get his season rolling in the right direction, and that came on Tuesday night, when the Orange picked off then-No. 13 Tennessee at home. Syracuse had come close to getting a marquee win out in Las Vegas at the Players Era, but they finally found a way to get the job done back in the Dome. The best news for Syracuse is that they have looked the part of a tournament team in the last two weeks, and they are going to be getting one of the best players, Donnie Freeman, back soon.
MID-MAJOR PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Aidan Mahaney, Santa Barbara
Aidan Mahaney has moved back to the west coast and turned back into his old self, as he’s averaging a career-high 15.6 points. He had arguably the best week of his basketball career last week, leading the Gauchos to wins over Long Beach State and CSUB while averaging 28.0 points, 5.0 boards and 3.5 assists.
MID-MAJOR TEAM OF THE WEEK: Holy Cross
It was a massive, massive week for the Crusaders, who knocked off in-state rival Northeastern at home before heading to the Bronx, where they beat Fordham and first-year head coach Mike Magpayo. Gabe Warren led the way with 25 points in the win at Fordham.
MID-MAJOR COACH OF THE WEEK: Kevin Hovde, Columbia
Columbia is off to a 9-1 start under new head coach Kevin Hovde, and this week was arguably the best week the Lions have had yet. Beating UAlbany by 28 is impressive, but knocking off a perennial CAA power in Hofstra is one of the better wins they have this season. Led by Kenny Noland, Columbia looks like a real threat to make some noise at the top of the Ivy League.
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