Jan 23, 2006

WEEKLY AWARDS

TEAM OF THE WEEK: St. John's
Norm Roberts has the Red Storm program heading in the right direction after wins over a pair of ranked teams – Louisville and Pittsburgh. St. John's ended any dreams of an unbeaten season for the Panthers in a 55-50 stunner at Madison Square Garden.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Daniel Gibson, Texas
When P. J. Tucker and LaMarcus Aldridge struggled against Baylor (combined two-of-13 from the field), it was Gibson coming through with a brilliant performance. The sophomore guard hit 13-of-16 shots from the field, finishing with 37 points as the Longhorns prevailed.

SHOCK OF THE WEEK: North Dakota State over Wisconsin
Maybe this was the shock of the season. The Bison, moving to Division I, entered the game 10-9. North Dakota State was coming off a loss to Utah Valley State. Wisconsin came in 67-3 at home under Bo Ryan, so this looked like cupcake city. Think again as the Bison, with a $35,000 guarantee, pulled off a 62-55 shocker. The Badgers shot 22 percent from the floor and the combination of Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor, normally reliable, combined to shoot eight-of-42 from the floor. Freshman guard Ben Woodside scored 24 points for the Bison.

COACH OF THE WEEK: John Thompson III, Georgetown
The Hoyas returned to the glory days of the program by stunning top-ranked Duke, 87-84. Thompson III has done a nice job with Georgetown (12-4) and the Hoyas beat a number one team for the first time since 1985.

DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Dominic James, Marquette
He came through with 29 big points in a win over DePaul, then hit a key shot late in a victory over Notre Dame.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.