With the non-conference schedule complete (and we’ve learned a lot through the first 15 games), why not have a little fun by handing out some mid-season awards?
The voting was done by a committee of one (yours truly), so the results are beyond reproach. Congratulations to the winners, and better luck next time to everyone else.
Most Valuable Player
Anthony Bennett
The case: Sorry there’s no suspense here, but Bennett has been the Rebels’ best and most valuable player in just about every game this season, and there’s simply no argument otherwise. The 6-foot-8 freshman is the focal point of the UNLV offense, and he’s been a rock inside on defense as well.
He’s averaging 19.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, and going beyond the numbers, Bennett’s enthusiasm is infectious on the court. Whether he’s flexing after a highlight dunk or livening up a tedious practice drill with good-natured trash talk, his teammates seem to love playing with him.
The testimonial: “The thing about Anthony is that the thing he cares most about is his teammates. It doesn’t matter to him how many points he scores, as long as the team is having success, he’s happy.” — Dave Rice
Runner-up: Anthony Marshall
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