Today's we recognize a first time honoree, a player who exploded off the bench to play incredibly and earn this week's NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week ...
Player of the Week
Nik Cochran (Vancouver) – Sophomore, Davidson
How many of you know the name Nik Cochran? Well, if you don't pay attention because he has been putting up some very good numbers of late and this past week is showing that he can be a very potent offensive weapon. In his team’s two games this week, Cochran averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. He shot 12-of-20 from the floor, including 8-of-14 from the three, and a perfect 10-of-10 in 26.5 minutes per game helping lead to a split in the two contests that Davidson played. It’s Cochran’s great numbers that have earned him the NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.
In Davidson’s 85-75 loss to The Citadel on Jan. 26, Cochran was spectacular off the bench posting a team high 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-9 from behind the arc, and hitting all 4 off his free throws in 24 minutes. He also added 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals as well in the loss.
In the next game Cochran played three days later, he was equally effective helping Davidson to a 75-64 win over the College of Charleston. Again coming off the bench, he mirrored his previous game posting a game high 21 points this time shooting 6-of-9 from the floor going 3-of-5 from the three and making all 6 of his free throws also. He included 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 29 minutes for the game to round out his performance.
For the season, Cochran is averaging 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 18.1 minutes per game. He’s currently shooting 40.0% from the floor, 34.4% from the three and 88.0% from the foul line. He is currently leading the Southern Conference in FT%.
Honorable Mention: Kris Joseph, Syracuse –17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3 stls, 13-of-29 FGs, 5-of-10 3PT FGs, 4-of-8 FTs in 36 mpg in two games.
Rookie of the Week
Tristan Thompson (Brampton, ON) – Freshman, Texas
Tristan Thompson has been a star on the rise since his first game for Texas and this past week showed both sides of him. In his team’s two games, Thompson is averaging 11.5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in 36 minutes of action while shooting 9-of-17 from the field. His numbers, plus his overall impact to his team, have earned him another NC-Double-Eh Rookie of the Week.
In Texas’ first win of the week at Oklahoma State Jan. 26, Thompson showed off his offensive side posting 14 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 3 blocks in 31 minutes in the 61-46 blowout. He also shot 3-of-7 from the floor and made 3 of his 9 free throws.
In the Longhorns’ next game against a ranked Missouri team at home, Thompson showed his defensive side posting 9 points but grabbing 13 rebounds and getting a block and an assist in 31 minutes to help orchestrate another big win, 71-58.
For the season, Thompson is averaging 12.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game while shooting 53.3% from the floor. He’s currently tied for first place in rebounding and steals while leading in blocked shots. He’s also the team’s second leading scorer and is third minutes played. Thompson’s current season totals rank him in several Big 12 statistical leader categories that include points (20th), rebounding (6th), blocks (1st) and offensive rebounds per game (1st at 3.7).
Honorable Mention: Dwight Powell, Stanford –11.5 ppg,5 rpg,2.5 spg 3 blks, 9-of-11 FGs, 5-of-11FTs, 28 mpg in two games.
Line of the Week
Olu Ashaolu (Toronto) – Junior, Louisiana Tech
It’s almost like déjà vu. Last week, Louisiana Tech’s Olu Ashaolu had a remarkable game posting 26 points and 17 rebounds and I thought that this would be THE best overall game by anyone in the NC-Double-Eh this season. Well, apparently Olu thought he could do better and he did so Jan. 27. Ashaolu had game high 24 points (on 8-of-16 from the floor and 8-of-9 from the line) , a game season 18 rebounds topping his previous high by one, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block in 37 minutes en route to a 71-56 win and helping Tech end an eight game losing streak. Ashaolu accounted for almost 50% of the team’s rebounds and about 30% of the team’s point total. In fact, he totaled as many rebounds as Idaho’s starting five combined on his way to his second straight double-double, 13th overall. Jeez, what can Olu do to top this?