Bowling Green State University Athletics
Matela Named MAC Player of the Week
December 03, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2001
Cleveland, Ohio - Bowling Green's Len Matela (East Division) and Ball State's Theron Smith (West Division) were selected as winners of the Mid-American Conference Player of the week award for the third week of the 2001-02 season (games of Nov. 26-Dec. 2).
MAC East Division Player of the Week Bowling Green State University's Len Matela (6-9, Sr., F, Merrillville, Ind.) averaged 17.5 points and 12 rebounds per game as the Falcons topped Michigan, 65-59, and Marist, 61-58. Matela shot 52.2% (12-of-23) from the field and 73.3% (11-of-15) from the line. He scored eight points and had four rebounds in the last five minutes of the Michigan game to rally BG to the win, coming back from a five-point deficit with three minutes to go. Matela's layup at the 1:35 mark put BG ahead for good. Against Marist, he had a team-best 21 points and matched his career high with 17 rebounds.MAC West Division Player of the Week Ball State's Theron Smith (6-8, Jr., F, Auburndale, Fla.) was named MVP of the First Merchants Classic by averaging 18.5 points and 14 rebounds per game in wins over Elon and Austin Peay. Smith posted 20 points and 17 rebounds versus Elon and 17 points and 11 boards against Austin Peay. He shot 51.2% (12-of-23) from the field and 76.9% (10-of-13) from the line.
Additional nominations: West Division Chris Kaman, Central Michigan, So., C (12 pts., 7 reb vs. Oklahoma and 11 pts. and 12 reb. vs. Loyola for the 1-1 Chippewas).
Ricky Cottrill, Eastern Michigan, So., G (28 pts. vs. Tennessee Tech with eight 3-pt. FG, 17 pts. vs. Md.-Eastern Shore as EMU went 0-2. The eight 3-pt FG set a Convocation Center record).
Leon Rodgers, Northern Illinois, Sr. F (22 pts., 13 reb. vs. Sam Houston and 25 pts. and 12 reb. vs. Texas Southern, named to the Blue & Gold Coca-Cola All-Tournament Classic as the Huskies went 1-1. Also 16 pts. and 8 reb. in a loss to Valparaiso).
East Division Darryl Patterson, Akron, Fr., F (avg. 10.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg in losses to Oakland and William and Mary, 14 pts. vs. W&M in first career start).
Louis Campbell, Buffalo, Sr., G (11.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.5 apg for the 1-1 Bulls. His bucket with 10.4 seconds left gave UB a 73-72 win over New Hampshire).
Antonio Gates, Kent State, Jr., F (avg. 21 ppg and 12 rpg in a loss to Kentucky and win over Chattanooga. Shot 65% from the floor. Had 22 pts. and 10 boards vs. UK).
J.R. VanHoose, Marshall, Sr., F/C (21 pts. vs. both Shepherd and Ark.-Monticello. Added 17 boards vs. UA-Monticello for his 41st career double-double).
Danny Horace, Miami, Fr., F (avg 12. 0 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 3.0 bpg for the 1-1 RedHawks. In his first collegiate start scored a season-high 19 points vs. Wright State and added 10 rebounds and five blocks in a 67-61 win.
MAC East Division Player of the Week Nov. 19 - Keith McLeod, Bowling Green Nov. 26 - Alex Shorts, Miami Dec. 3 - Len Matela, Bowling Green Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Dec. 24 Jan. 7 Jan. 14 Jan. 21 Jan. 28 Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 25 Mar. 4
MAC West Division Player of the Week Nov. 19 - David Webber, Central Michigan Nov. 26 - Patrick Jackson, Ball State Dec. 3 - Theron Smith, Ball State Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Dec. 24 Jan. 7 Jan. 14 Jan. 21 Jan. 28 Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 25 Mar. 4
