The Mid-American Conference on Monday announced its men’s basketball players of the week. Bowling Green’ Richaun Holmes earned MAC East Player of the Week honors, while Franko House took top honors for the MAC West Division.
MAC Men's Basketball East Division Player of the Week
Richaun Holmes, Bowling Green, Forward
Senior, Lockport, Ill./Lockport
Holmes led the Falcons to a 2-0 week with wins at Kent State and over Ohio in MAC play. The Falcons, who are off to a 2-0 start in MAC play for the first time since the 2004-05 season, are 10-3 overall on the year as Holmes leads the team in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and blocked shots. In the win at Kent State, Holmes posted a team-high 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including going 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line. He also added five rebounds, three blocks, one steal and matched his career-high with four assists in the two point win. The 6-8 forward followed that performance up with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in a home win over Ohio on Saturday. In that game, Holmes was 7-of-9 from the floor, 1-of-1 from downtown and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. It was his second double-double of the season and 10th of his career. Holmes on the week averaged 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field, 75 percent from the three-point line and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe.
MAC Men's Basketball West Division Player of the Week
Franko House, Ball State, Forward
Sophomore, Elkhart, Ind./Concord
House averaged 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last week in helping Ball State knock off a pair of 11-win teams to open conference play. House has been at his best in the biggest moments lately. He scored eight of his 14 points in the final five minutes of regulation and overtime in Wednesday's win at Eastern Michigan, all while playing with four fouls. The sophomore forward played a role in the Cardinals' final seven points in overtime, scoring four of them and assisting on Sean Sellers' game-winning 3-pointer. Three days later, House went for 13 points and five rebounds as Ball State defeated a Central Michigan team that entered the game at No. 88 in the NCAA RPI. He was efficient for the week, knocking down 13 of 19 shots from the floor (68.4 percent) to help the Cardinals to their first 2-0 MAC start since the 2011-12 season.
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MAC Men's Basketball East Division Player of the Week
Richaun Holmes, Bowling Green, Forward
Senior, Lockport, Ill./Lockport
Holmes led the Falcons to a 2-0 week with wins at Kent State and over Ohio in MAC play. The Falcons, who are off to a 2-0 start in MAC play for the first time since the 2004-05 season, are 10-3 overall on the year as Holmes leads the team in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and blocked shots. In the win at Kent State, Holmes posted a team-high 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including going 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line. He also added five rebounds, three blocks, one steal and matched his career-high with four assists in the two point win. The 6-8 forward followed that performance up with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in a home win over Ohio on Saturday. In that game, Holmes was 7-of-9 from the floor, 1-of-1 from downtown and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. It was his second double-double of the season and 10th of his career. Holmes on the week averaged 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field, 75 percent from the three-point line and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe.
MAC Men's Basketball West Division Player of the Week
Franko House, Ball State, Forward
Sophomore, Elkhart, Ind./Concord
House averaged 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last week in helping Ball State knock off a pair of 11-win teams to open conference play. House has been at his best in the biggest moments lately. He scored eight of his 14 points in the final five minutes of regulation and overtime in Wednesday's win at Eastern Michigan, all while playing with four fouls. The sophomore forward played a role in the Cardinals' final seven points in overtime, scoring four of them and assisting on Sean Sellers' game-winning 3-pointer. Three days later, House went for 13 points and five rebounds as Ball State defeated a Central Michigan team that entered the game at No. 88 in the NCAA RPI. He was efficient for the week, knocking down 13 of 19 shots from the floor (68.4 percent) to help the Cardinals to their first 2-0 MAC start since the 2011-12 season.
(CLICK READ MORE TO SEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY OTHER TOP PERFORMERS . . . )
Other Top Performers:
Pat Forsythe, Akron, Center
Junior, Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick High School
Forsythe helped the Zips to a 1-1 record to open MAC play, averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game. In Akron's 72-52 win over Western Michigan, Forsythe just missed his second double-double of the season, posting 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. He finished the game a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. In the Zips' loss at Toledo, he finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. With his lone blocked shot against the Rockets, he moved into a tie for sixth place on Akron's career blocked shots list.
Justin Moss, Buffalo, Forward
Junior, Detroit, MI/Romulus
Moss had a pair of double-doubles as the Bulls opened up conference play on the road this past week. Moss averaged 23.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game as UB split their two contests. In the win at Miami on Wednesday, Moss had 23 points and 12 rebounds, while adding two assists. He had another 23 points against Western Michigan, while adding 11 rebounds. Moss did most of his damage from the free throw line where he was 13-of-16. Moss now has eight double-doubles on the year to lead the conference. He continues to lead the MAC in scoring at 17.4 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per contest.
Rayshawn Simmons, Central Michigan, Guard
Junior, St. Louis, Mo./Moberly Area CC
Simmons continued his standout play of late in Central Michigan's first week of MAC competition, averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal per game, as the Chippewas went 1-1. On the heels of his best game as a Chippewa in which he posted his first career double-double (20 points, 12 assists), Simmons played in integral role in CMU's 65-62 road upset of Toledo, totaling a game-high 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. The team co-captain had one the biggest shots of the game, using all of his 6-4 frame to sky over Toledo's big men and tip in a bucket with just under two minutes to play, breaking a 60-60 tie. On the road again later in the week, at Ball State, Simmons led CMU with 14 points, his sixth consecutive double-figure scoring game, and 5 rebounds. A starter of all 13 games this season, Simmons has established himself as a key figure in the CMU line-up. Prior to this year, Simmons' career high was 10 points but nearing the midpoint of this season, Simmons is averaging over 10 points per game (10.2). He ranks second in the MAC in free throw percentage (.882), fourth in assist turnover ratio (2.4) and fifth in assists (4.4).* Simmons has been on fire of late on the offensive end, averaging 14.8 points per game over the last six games. He is also a key part of CMU's team-rebounding approach, averaging 3.8 per game for the year.
Jimmy Hall, Kent State, Forward
Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Anthony's
Hall made quite an impression in his Mid-American Conference debut by averaging 20.0 points on 64 percent shooting while pulling down 5.5 rebounds per game in helping Kent State split its first two conference games. In his first MAC game, Hall proved that he is one of the top post players in the league as he scored a career-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting a matchup with All-MAC forward Richaun Holmes of Bowling Green. He also added 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in helping the Flashes to a 36-29 advantage on the boards. In his first road MAC game, Hall was able to produce 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 4 rebounds despite being plagued with foul trouble and only playing 24 minutes. Hall has now scored in double-figures in 13 of 15 games this season.
Will Sullivan, Miami, Guard
Senior, Elmhurst, IL/York
Sullivan averaged 19.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg as Miami opened MAC play last week. Sullivan poured in a season-high-tying 21 points off 8-of-11 shooting in a tough game against Buffalo. His eight field goals were a career high as he shot 72.7 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent from 3-point range (5-of-8) against the Bulls. It was the fifth 20-point effort of his career and second this season. Sullivan recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and a career-high 12 rebounds as Miami completed an unbelievable comeback against Eastern Michigan, erasing a 25-point deficit to earn an 82-81 overtime win against the Eagles. Sullivan spearheaded Miami's efforts on the boards as the RedHawks out-rebounded one of the nation's top rebounding teams, 38-28, and Miami posted its largest margin on the glass this season. Sullivan's 12 boards are the most by a RedHawk. He was 5-of-6 (.833) from the field against the Eagles, including 3-of-4 (.750) from 3-point range and hit all four of his free throws. For the week, Sullivan shot a scorching 76.5 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Jordan Threloff, NIU, Center
Senior, DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb
Threloff averaged a team-best 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last week as the Huskies split a pair of contests against Ohio and Kent State. In the league opener at Ohio, Threloff helped the Huskies to their first win over the Bobcats since 2007 as he scored 11 points with six rebounds in a 70-60 NIU victory. Against Kent State, Threloff scored a season-best 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds, as the Huskies came up just two points short against the Golden Flashes, 67-65.
Jonathan Williams, Toledo, Guard
Sophomore, Southfield, MI/Lathrup
Williams tied for the team lead with 13.0 ppg and shot 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the field, including an impressive 66.7 percent from three-point range (6-of-9). Williams tallied 15 points and a career-best six rebounds in the Rockets' 84-67 win over Akron. He converted 3-of-4 shots from three-point range to help UT set a school a Mid-American Conference game record with an 81.8 3PTFG%. In the Rockets' contest vs. Central Michigan on Tuesday, Williams was 3-of-5 from three-point range and scored 11 points
David Brown, Western Michigan, Guard
Graduate Student, Roscoe, Ill. (Hononegah)
Brown contributed all across the stat sheet in their opening week of MAC play, averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game to start league action. Brown poured in 14 points against Akron in the conference opener, including an impressive 4-of-7 performance from three-point range, while also hauling in five rebounds and dishing out four assists. He was even better in the Broncos' victory over Buffalo on Saturday, scoring 17 points while recording a team- and season-high nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Pat Forsythe, Akron, Center
Junior, Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick High School
Forsythe helped the Zips to a 1-1 record to open MAC play, averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game. In Akron's 72-52 win over Western Michigan, Forsythe just missed his second double-double of the season, posting 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. He finished the game a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. In the Zips' loss at Toledo, he finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. With his lone blocked shot against the Rockets, he moved into a tie for sixth place on Akron's career blocked shots list.
Justin Moss, Buffalo, Forward
Junior, Detroit, MI/Romulus
Moss had a pair of double-doubles as the Bulls opened up conference play on the road this past week. Moss averaged 23.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game as UB split their two contests. In the win at Miami on Wednesday, Moss had 23 points and 12 rebounds, while adding two assists. He had another 23 points against Western Michigan, while adding 11 rebounds. Moss did most of his damage from the free throw line where he was 13-of-16. Moss now has eight double-doubles on the year to lead the conference. He continues to lead the MAC in scoring at 17.4 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per contest.
Rayshawn Simmons, Central Michigan, Guard
Junior, St. Louis, Mo./Moberly Area CC
Simmons continued his standout play of late in Central Michigan's first week of MAC competition, averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal per game, as the Chippewas went 1-1. On the heels of his best game as a Chippewa in which he posted his first career double-double (20 points, 12 assists), Simmons played in integral role in CMU's 65-62 road upset of Toledo, totaling a game-high 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. The team co-captain had one the biggest shots of the game, using all of his 6-4 frame to sky over Toledo's big men and tip in a bucket with just under two minutes to play, breaking a 60-60 tie. On the road again later in the week, at Ball State, Simmons led CMU with 14 points, his sixth consecutive double-figure scoring game, and 5 rebounds. A starter of all 13 games this season, Simmons has established himself as a key figure in the CMU line-up. Prior to this year, Simmons' career high was 10 points but nearing the midpoint of this season, Simmons is averaging over 10 points per game (10.2). He ranks second in the MAC in free throw percentage (.882), fourth in assist turnover ratio (2.4) and fifth in assists (4.4).* Simmons has been on fire of late on the offensive end, averaging 14.8 points per game over the last six games. He is also a key part of CMU's team-rebounding approach, averaging 3.8 per game for the year.
Jimmy Hall, Kent State, Forward
Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Anthony's
Hall made quite an impression in his Mid-American Conference debut by averaging 20.0 points on 64 percent shooting while pulling down 5.5 rebounds per game in helping Kent State split its first two conference games. In his first MAC game, Hall proved that he is one of the top post players in the league as he scored a career-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting a matchup with All-MAC forward Richaun Holmes of Bowling Green. He also added 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in helping the Flashes to a 36-29 advantage on the boards. In his first road MAC game, Hall was able to produce 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 4 rebounds despite being plagued with foul trouble and only playing 24 minutes. Hall has now scored in double-figures in 13 of 15 games this season.
Will Sullivan, Miami, Guard
Senior, Elmhurst, IL/York
Sullivan averaged 19.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg as Miami opened MAC play last week. Sullivan poured in a season-high-tying 21 points off 8-of-11 shooting in a tough game against Buffalo. His eight field goals were a career high as he shot 72.7 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent from 3-point range (5-of-8) against the Bulls. It was the fifth 20-point effort of his career and second this season. Sullivan recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and a career-high 12 rebounds as Miami completed an unbelievable comeback against Eastern Michigan, erasing a 25-point deficit to earn an 82-81 overtime win against the Eagles. Sullivan spearheaded Miami's efforts on the boards as the RedHawks out-rebounded one of the nation's top rebounding teams, 38-28, and Miami posted its largest margin on the glass this season. Sullivan's 12 boards are the most by a RedHawk. He was 5-of-6 (.833) from the field against the Eagles, including 3-of-4 (.750) from 3-point range and hit all four of his free throws. For the week, Sullivan shot a scorching 76.5 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Jordan Threloff, NIU, Center
Senior, DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb
Threloff averaged a team-best 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last week as the Huskies split a pair of contests against Ohio and Kent State. In the league opener at Ohio, Threloff helped the Huskies to their first win over the Bobcats since 2007 as he scored 11 points with six rebounds in a 70-60 NIU victory. Against Kent State, Threloff scored a season-best 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds, as the Huskies came up just two points short against the Golden Flashes, 67-65.
Jonathan Williams, Toledo, Guard
Sophomore, Southfield, MI/Lathrup
Williams tied for the team lead with 13.0 ppg and shot 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the field, including an impressive 66.7 percent from three-point range (6-of-9). Williams tallied 15 points and a career-best six rebounds in the Rockets' 84-67 win over Akron. He converted 3-of-4 shots from three-point range to help UT set a school a Mid-American Conference game record with an 81.8 3PTFG%. In the Rockets' contest vs. Central Michigan on Tuesday, Williams was 3-of-5 from three-point range and scored 11 points
David Brown, Western Michigan, Guard
Graduate Student, Roscoe, Ill. (Hononegah)
Brown contributed all across the stat sheet in their opening week of MAC play, averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game to start league action. Brown poured in 14 points against Akron in the conference opener, including an impressive 4-of-7 performance from three-point range, while also hauling in five rebounds and dishing out four assists. He was even better in the Broncos' victory over Buffalo on Saturday, scoring 17 points while recording a team- and season-high nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
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