For the week of Dec. 11-17
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
My choice this week is Reggie Evans of Iowa. Yes, I could have picked Xavier's David West, who had solid showings against Cincinnati and Marquette.
Evans has been a dominant force inside for the Hawkeyes. He racked up his eighth straight double-double, finishing with 20 points and 18 rebounds in a scintillating double-overtime win over a good Missouri team.
This JUCO transfer has been sensational since day one for Steve Alford's team.
DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK
Indiana's Jared Jeffries has adjusted from a disastrous performance at Madison Square Garden. In the Preseason NIT semifinals, he suffered through a nightmare against Temple. Jeffries couldn't get on the board, as everything went wrong.
Jeffries has been a pivotal member of the resurgent Hoosiers. Mike Davis has relied on the multi-skilled diaper dandy, and he came through against Charlotte. Usually the cream rises to the top when you have talent; Jeffries had 19 big points against a strong 49ers club as the Hoosiers got the W.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
The Xavier Musketeers were picked by many to win the Atlantic 10. There were lots of expectations for this veteran club.
Xavier's recent 58-52 loss to Princeton left some surprised. The Musketeers came out with a lot of emotion in the Crosstown Shootout against Cincinnati.
For the fourth time in five years, Xavier came away with a W over the Bearcats. Skip Prosser's team mixed defenses and shut down Cincinnati's inside attack. Donald Little and company disappeared and the Bearcats were one-dimensional.
Once they controlled Satterfield, it was comeback city as the Musketeers got to the winner's circle. David West was a monster on the interior and on the foul line, while Lloyd Price did a great defensive job.
The Musketeers followed up with an impressive win over Marquette. Hats off to Skip Prosser and company.
COACH OF THE WEEK
In a rematch of the Maui Invitational final, two Goliaths met as Illinois faced Arizona.
Bill Self of the Illini saw his team come through at a sold-out United Center. The Orange Crush fans were jubilant and Frank Williams, Cory Bradford and company were able to hang on for the big W.
Self did a brilliant coaching job in preparing his team for the rematch. Remember, Arizona had its full cast; Lute Olson was on the sidelines, Loren Woods was in the lineup, and Illinois still got the victory.
Woods missed the first meeting in Maui. Illinois shut down Gilbert Arenas and negated Arizona's transition game.
Let's give a salute to Self and the Illini. The new coach has made a great impression in his first season despite facing a dynamite schedule.
SHOCK OF THE WEEK
It could have been last week, when Fordham stunned St. John's. Weber State's win over Utah earned that honor.
This week, the Red Storm was surprised again. For the first time in 20 meetings, Hofstra got a victory over St. John's. The Red Storm is young with diaper dandies Omar Cook, Willie Shaw and Kyle Cuffe.
Last year, the Pride was led by Speedy Claxton, who went on to be a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers. Against St. John's this time around, Norman Richardson was the standout.
Give credit to coach Jay Wright for having his team prepared for this challenge.
