MAC Report Online Announces Year-End Awards

[MACReport]

Never afraid of controversy, we have once again named our choices for:Player of the YearCoach of the YearFreshman of the YerDefensive Player of the YearSixth Man of the Yearhttp://macreportonline.comhttp://macreportonline.com/2007hoops_awards.html

[BZip_08]

"Sixth Man of the Year - Cedrick Middleton, Guard, AkronPlaying on a high-powered team like the Akron Zips may not seem to be a likely place to find a sixth man of the year award winner. After all the Zips are blessed with talented players like the explosive Romeo Travis and playmakers like Dru Joyce and Jeremiah Wood, not to mention solid contributors like Nick Dials and Nate Linhart. But playing in a seven-man rotation has enabled Cedrick Middleton to develop into one of the Zips' top threats this season and has earned Middleton MAC Report Online's Sixth Man of the Year Award. As the Zips' first man off the bench, Middleton, who has started three of the Zips' contests this season, is averaging 10.9 points per game and is shooting 41% from beyond the three point line. The junior guard from Chicago is third on the Zips in steals and assists and as the first man off the bench has become a stabilizing force in key situations for the Zips, logging minutes more akin to being a starter than a bench player as each year the delineation between a bench player and starter gets a little more difficult to define. "Cedrick is one of my favorite players of all time," enthused Akron head coach Keith Dambrot. "He brings so much to our team and understands the important role he plays for us. There is no question that he is sixth man of the year." Middleton saved his best performance of the season for Akron's January 17 contest against crosstown rival, and defending MAC champion Can't State when he poured in 25 points in 34 minutes, leading the Zips to a crucial 78-68 win that kept Akron ahead of Can't State in the race for the MAC East crown. With the Zips currently atop the MAC East and on the verge of another record-setting year in terms of victories, Middleton has been a key ingredient to the Zips' current success and has earned MAC Report Online's Sixth Man of the Year Award."Can I get an Amen? Cedric brings speed and smarts, and who doesn't love having another guard. It's fun to watch when Cedric, Dru and Nick are all out on the floor together- defenses have no clue what to do. I love it.

[zipsc]

I totally disagree w/the coach of the year prediction. Joplin has done a good job w/his team but the west was not as strong as the east. If Miami, Akron, Can't, or Ohio was on the west, I believe they would possess the same record as Toledo. There are four teams in the east currently battling for the #2, #3, #4 seeds. In my opinion, I think Jim Christian deserves the honors because his young team is playing good basketball and could very well win the MAC.

[Zips fan]

It would be very hard to Keith to win COY honors when they were picked to win the conference, but he has not won the honor yet and he brought a .500 team to consecutive 20+ win seasons and has the Zips as a power at home. I would probably vote for Joplin as well, but Keith has done an amazing job in his three years. I think all three years he could have won the award and the pick would be warrented. Anyways, I agree with MAC report online. I think those picks make sense.

[zipsc]

3 years ago, akron was picked 6th to finish in the east but went 19-10. KD did not win the award which was given to Charlie Cole (I think Miami was picked to win the conference that year). Clearly, KD should have won the award. KD is definitely due this honor given what he has done for the program in the last 3 years. I think the committee needs to look at the strength of both divisions. Clearly, the teams in the east are constantly battling for the next 3 byes. Toledo is good but what would their record have been if they were in the east? Their two losses were to Can't and Ohio.

[unZIPped]

I think KD will always have a bullseye on his back. Other than from the people of Akron, I don't think KD gets the accolades that he deserves. Look what he accomplished during his 3 amazing years at St. V. Not once did he get named Coach of the Year. He is way past due.

[hoopla]

i want to know how payne got defensive player of the year? he played no defense against us. horrible pick there. same goes with the coach of the year.

[GoZips88]

In my opinion, I think Jim Christian deserves the honors because his young team is playing good basketball and could very well win the MAC.

Put me down in the Christian column as well, as much as I hate to say that. Relatively young squad doing well in a tough division (MAC East). Toledo is very good and very athletic but I think their MAC record would have suffered a bit more if they had to face a few more MAC East schools, especially on the road (home team fans, MAC officiating that consistently sucks both ways but SEEMS to favor the home team, IMHO).

[johnnyzip84]

Put me down in the Christian column as well, as much as I hate to say that. Relatively young squad doing well in a tough division (MAC East). Toledo is very good and very athletic but I think their MAC record would have suffered a bit more if they had to face a few more MAC East schools, especially on the road (home team fans, MAC officiating that consistently sucks both ways but SEEMS to favor the home team, IMHO).

Agree 100%. I'll bet KD would even agree that Christian is deserving. KD's said a number of times that he doesn't know how Can't is able to hold onto him.