FEB. 11 (awards based on games played Monday-Sunday)
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jarrad Odle, Indiana
Our Player of the Week comes from Bloomington, Ind. -- but he isn't Jared Jeffries. Jarrad Odle reminds many of Kirk Haston with his play.
Odle has shot well and done a solid job rebounding. Indiana has the 3-point shooting weapons with guys like Tom Coverdale, so Odle is an important person up front providing balance to the offense.
In wins over Iowa and Louisville, Odle totaled 38 points and 23 rebounds, hitting 15-of-19 shots from the field.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Kansas
It isn't the fact that Kansas was supposed to win its two games last week, but how the Jayhawks did it. Coach Roy Williams' team impressed in big-time style, winning at Kansas State by dominating right from the start.
Then came a win over coach Bob Knight's talented Texas Tech team in a game played at one of my favorite places, Allen Field House. It was rock-chalk-Jayhawk as Kirk Hinrich had a super game with 28 points against the Red Raiders.
COACH OF THE WEEK: James Jones, Yale
I know many will be shocked by this choice, as I go to New Haven, Conn., to find my top coach this week. James Jones is not a household name, but Yale is now in first place in the Ivy League with wins over Penn and Princeton last weekend.
The Elis are now 15-7 overall and 7-1 in the Ivy. Yale has wins over teams from power conferences this season: Penn State of the Big Ten and Clemson of the ACC.
Hey, Mr. President -- George Bush, your alma mater is in first in the Ivy, baby! That's why Jones is my Coach of the Week.
DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Chris Thomas, Notre Dame
Oh, what a week for the former Mr. Basketball from the state of Indiana.
First Thomas had 32 points (including 7-of-9 trifectas) and 11 assists in a win over a Rutgers team that appeared to be on a roll. Then, in a classic contest, he had 22 points and 12 assists in a four-overtime thriller, won by the Irish, 116-111 over Georgetown.
CO-SHOCKS OF THE WEEK:
Tennessee over Kentucky and Auburn over Georgia
This is an all-SEC category this week. Coach Buzz Peterson's Vols finally won a close one after losing so many heartbreakers. Tennessee won despite missing Ron Slay, whose absence has really hurt. Give credit to Vincent Yarbrough and Marcus Haislip as keys to victory over the Wildcats. Just when it looked like Kentucky was going to get on a roll, the Vols had other ideas in Knoxville.
Then there was Auburn. It has not been an easy year for coach Cliff Ellis and company. The Tigers found a way to win, stopping a Georgia team that was trying to extend its lead in the SEC East.
