Today we honor the first player this season to win the award on consecutive weeks. Harouna Mutombo has continued his tear that started at the beginning of the month and he has yet to slow down which is why we have given him the nod as NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week ...
Player of the Week
Harouna Mutombo – Senior, Western Carolina
Western Carolina’s Harouna Mutombo has been playing great these past few weeks. After a slow start to the season, he’s put together back-to-back weeks where he’s reminded everyone of the player he was two years prior. In his team’s two wins last week, Mutombo averaged 19.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3 steals in 33 minutes per game. He would shot 12-of-22 from the field, 2-of-4 from behind the arc and 13-of-19 from the line to be the first player this season to earn two nods as the NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.
In Western Carolina’s tough 65-60 road loss to Purdue on Dec. 7, Mutombo had his first double-double of this season going for 18 points and 12 rebounds along with an assist, a block and 3 steals in 33 minutes. He shot 5-of-11 from the field in that game as well as going 8-for-13 from the line.
In the Catamounts’ game Dec. 10, Mutombo was equally as good posting 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in another tight loss, this time to Kent State 58-56. In his 33 minutes of action, he shot 7-of-11 including 2-of-4 from the three as well as making 5 of his 6 free throws.
For the season, Mutombo is averaging team highs 15.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. He’s also averaging 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.9 minutes. Mutombo is shooting .488 from the floor and .400 from the three-point line. His averages place him in several categories in the Southern Conference in scoring (6th), rebounding (17th), steals (14th), field goal percentage (10th) and offensive rebounds (13th with 2.1 a game).
Honorable Mention: Devoe Joseph, Oregon – 18 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 6-of-13 FGs, 3-of-9 3-pointFGs, 3-of-4 FTs in 33 minutes vs. Fresno State Dec. 10.
Rookie of the Week
Myck Kabongo – Freshman, Texas
Last week Myck Kabongo helped lead his Texas Longhorns to a perfect 2-0 record and showed that he can play at this level. In his two games, he averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 1.5 steals in both victories. He also shot 8of-14 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the line in 27.5 minutes to earn his first NC-Double-Eh Rookie of the Week.
In Texas’ game against Texas-Arlington on Dec. 6, Kabongo posted 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assist and a steal in 29 minutes in the in 80-62 win. He shot 4of-8 from the floor and 5-of-7 from the free throw line.
In the Longhorns’ next game against Texas State four days later, Kabongo had a near mirror finish. In 26 minutes of action, he had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals in the 86-52 blowout win. He shot 4-of-6 from the field, made one of his two three attempts and sunk all four of his free throws.
For the season, Kabongo is averaging 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 28.1 minutes per game. He’s also shooting .433 from the floor and .696 from the charity stripe. Kabongo leads the Big 12 Conference in assists and is currently 9th in steals and 8th in assist-to-turnover ratio placing 8th with 1.90. He’s also 18thin the NCAAs in the assist department.
Honorable Mention: Ishaq Pitt, Maryland-Eastern Shore – 18 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, 6-of-88 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs in 23 minutes in win vs. Mercy Dec. 10.
Line of the Week
Justin Edwards, Maine – 2-of-10 from the field
Freshman wunderkind Justin Edwards has been nothing short of spectacular all season for Maine. He had started off the season scoring 20 or more points in five of his first six games and he was smoking hot. Then the Black Bears played San Diego this past weekend and that all ended for Edwards. He was shut down only making two field goals in 27 minutes. 2 field goals! To put that into perspective, Edwards had not made less than six field goals in a game to that point. The total of field goals attempted was also a season low for him. I know that the sterak couldn't have gone on forever but wow. The only good thing about this whole situation is that he’ll likely come out firing in his next game. I feel sorry for his team’s opponent.