MVC/OVC Ninth Weekly Awards

Minor and Larry Shine Brightest

(St. Louis, MO) – Historical, breakthrough seasons are underway and the MVC/OVC ninth weekly awards reflect these exciting seasons. Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Indiana State are breaking through to conference prominence. 

Ohio Valley Conference

Southern Illinois Edwardsville (12-5, 3-1) is participating in an historical, breakthrough season and one of the critical components to the Cougars’ success is Damarco ‘Polo’ Minor. The 6′ sophomore can run the point, score routinely and knows how to win. His junior college team didn’t lose a game last season.

While SIUE was picking up a pair wins last week, Minor was on fire. He led the Cougars scoring 45 points during the two games and grabbing 21 rebounds. Twenty-one of those points came from the charity stripe where he didn’t miss one attempt.

Minor has made 52 of 54 free throw attempts this season (.963).

This week’s ‘Player of the Week‘ is also the ‘Newcomer of the Week‘. This is the second time he’s picked up the newcomer notification. SIUE has tied the program’s all-time single Division 1 season wins total (12) with fifteen games remaining on it schedule.

Eastern Illinois (6-11, 2-2) head coach Marty Simmons is restocking the Panther talent base. This week, freshman guard Cameron Haffner is becoming the third EIU rookie to be named ‘Freshman of the Week‘. Haffner averaged 9.5 points while making seven of thirteen long distance attempts. He joins teammates Kyle Carlesimo and Kyle Thomas (twice) as Panther recipients.

Missouri Valley Conference

Indiana State (13-4, 6-0) is enjoying its best start since the Larry Bird era. One of the Valley’s hottest players is Syacamore sophomore Julian Larry. This week’s ‘Player of the Week‘ recorded back-to-back 18-point performances this week, but those accomplishments come on the heels of his previous two game explosion. During ISU’s four, post-Christmas games, Larry is averaging 17 points and five assists.

How hot is Larry? The 6’3 guard has connected on 25 of 30 field goal attempts and twelve of fourteen shots from the charity stripe.

During Belmont’s historic first Missouri Valley Conference season, freshman Cade Tyson is making a mark. The 6’7 forward recorded a career high 20 points during the Bruins’ (11-5, 4-2) win over Missouri State and added eight during their victory at UIC. This week’s ‘Newcomer of the Week‘ is the league’s top scoring rookie.

This MVC/OVC ninth weekly awards list still doesn’t contain one player that has received either league’s highest award more than once.