JAN. 7 (awards based on games played Monday-Sunday)
SHOCK OF THE WEEK: Florida State over Duke
Before Sunday night's stunner, the pick was Yale over Clemson. Well, another ACC team went down, and that was really Shock City! Jason Williams, who was brilliant from 3-point range in the second half against the Seminoles, struggled from the foul line (0-for-6).
Florida State had its share of problems earlier this season, losing to the likes of American. Steve Robinson's team gained some confidence with a win over South Florida, but the Seminoles put together an amazing effort in stunning top-ranked Duke.
CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Melvin Ely, Fresno State and Drew Gooden, Kansas
Coach Jerry Tarkanian has to be happy to have his big guy, Ely, back in the lineup. The Fresno State center served an NCAA suspension, and since returning he has posted three consecutive career scoring highs.
Last week, Ely had two sensational performances. First, he scored 31 points in a win over Rice. He followed up with an unbelievable game against a solid Tulsa team: 35 points, 16 rebounds and nine blocked shots.
As for Gooden, is anybody in America playing better on the baseline? He has scored more than 1,000 points in his career with the Jayhawks. His last two performances were outstanding, totaling 57 points and 32 rebounds in hard-fought wins over Valparaiso and Colorado, the latter coming on the road in the team's Big 12 opener.
Gooden has been sensational, and he has been so unselfish in Roy Williams' winning system. He is one of the key reasons I feel the Jayhawks could go to the Final Four.
DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Julius Hodge, N.C. State
Is there any coach in America facing as much pressure as Herb Sendek at N.C. State? Sendek's team relied on Hodge to come through on the road against Virginia. Remember, the Wolfpack already got a W in hostile territory, beating Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.
The former New York state high school phenom has given N.C. State some quickness. He made 7-of-8 shots, finishing with 21 points against the previously unbeaten Cavaliers. This was a big win for the Wolfpack.
COACH OF THE WEEK: Rick Stansbury, Mississippi State
Mississippi State had posted a great record, but people were screaming because it came against Cupcake City opponents. The Bulldogs were beaten badly by Cincinnati, 90-56.
When Kentucky visited Humphrey Coliseum, it gave Mississippi State the opportunity to prove something. The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-2 lead, blitzing the Bulldogs. But Stansbury's kids never quit, and Mario Austin hit the first 3-pointer of his career to send the game into OT. Then in the extra period, Mississippi State hit seven big free throws to pull off the upset. Stansbury's club never lost its poise.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Pittsburgh
Who would have believed the Panthers and coach Ben Howland would be sitting 14-1 at this point? First, Pittsburgh put the hurt on St. John's, building a 41-18 halftime lead en route to a 77-54 blitzing. Then the Panthers proved it wasn't a fluke, beating Boston College on the road. How big was that? The Eagles had won 25 in a row at Conte Forum, last losing there in February 2000.
Brandin Knight, who has been great at point guard, had a solid week. He scored 20 points (7-of-11 field goals) against Boston College and 24 (9-of-13) against the Red Storm.
