Albany’s Jamar Wilson (Bronx, N.Y./Our Savior New American School) and UMBC’s John Zito (Windsor, Conn./Windsor) share the first America East Player of the Week honors of the 2005-06 season. Mike Trimboli (Norwalk, Conn./St. Luke’s), a freshman point guard at Vermont, has also been named Rookie of the Week. The awards were announced Monday (November 21).
Wilson averaged 23.5 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.0 rpg, while shooting an impressive 81.0 percent from the floor (17- 21), 71.4 percent from beyond the arc (5-7) and 80.0 percent from the line (8-10). The preseason all-conference selection led the Great Danes to a season-opening victory over Oakland, 90-73, in the first round of the 2K Sports Classic. Wilson scored 26 points (10-for-13 FGs) in that game as he became the 27th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark. He later tallied 19 of his 21 points in the first half against Florida in the regional final. Wilson owns a 30-game, double-figure scoring streak and notched back-to-back 20-point games for the first time since Jan. 2 and 6, 2005. He has dropped 20-plus points on 21 occasions in his collegiate career.
Zito averaged a double-double on the week (16.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg) as he guided the Retrievers to a season-opening victory versus Maryland Eastern Shore, 75-65. The senior forward posted career highs in scoring and rebounding with 23 points and 14 caroms against UMES, marking the first double-double since his freshman season. Zito also had a career-high five steals versus La Salle and remained in double figures with 10 points. In that game, he was matched up on both ends of the floor with the 2004-05 Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year Steven Smith.
Trimboli scored 17 points and dished out six assists in his collegiate debut for the Catamounts at Harvard. He buried his first five shots of that contest and is trying to become Vermont’s fifth straight four-year starting point guard.
AMERICA EAST NOTES:
A welcomed addition: Senior transfer Kenny Adeleke (Queens, N.Y./Paul Robeson/Hofstra) made his Hartford debut at UMass last week and led the team with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-9 forward went 8-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line and recorded a pair of blocks. The double-double was the 36th of his career.
Stingy Terriers start at top: Boston University opened its 2005-06 season with a quality showing versus top-ranked Duke. The Terriers trademark defense held the Blue Devils to just 64 points and 40 percent shooting from the field (22-for-55). Boston U. forced Duke to miss 12 of its first 13 shots to start the game and the Blue Devils were just 1-for-10 from the field to begin the second half.
Wilson duo shines for Danes: Senior Jamar Wilson was named the first Player of the Week of the 2005-06 season and teammate Brent Wilson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Prairie) has also been impressive for Albany. Brent has averaged 17.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg over the Great Danes’ first two outings as he is a perfect 5-for-5 from the line and 7-for-13 from three-point land.
Turner leads Black Bears: With preseason all-conference selection Kevin Reed (Yarmouth, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth/St. Thomas More) sidelined due to injury, Ernest Turner (Camden, N.J./Sterling/UNLV) led Maine offensively on the week. Turner scored a game-high 20 points in Maine’s game against William & Mary and followed that up by scoring 21 points in the Black Bears’ game against High Point. The 6-2 senior guard was named to the William & Mary Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team for his efforts.
Schneider strong in first start: Vermont sophomore Ryan Schneider (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland) tallied 19 points and seven rebounds in his first career start for the Catamounts. Schneider hit six three-pointers for first-year head coach Mike Lonergan as Vermont’s comeback bid fell short at Harvard.
Terriers host Michigan at Agganis: Boston University looks for its third-straight victory over Michigan as the Terriers host the Wolverines on Tuesday, November 22 at Agganis Arena, 7 p.m. Boston U. defeated Michigan 63-52 last season and and 61-60 in 2003-04. Both of those games were played at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. Tuesday’s matchup will air live on NESN.
Nevada travels to Burlington: In a rematch of last season’s ESPN Bracket Buster matchup, the Vermont Catamounts host Nevada on Wednesday, November 23 at 7 p.m. The Wolf Pack head to Burlington as a return game due to the Bracket Buster policy.