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Sibande was named Freshman of the Year, while Perkins was selected as the Sixth Man of the Year for the second consecutive season. In addition, Bond was tabbed as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Defensive Player of the Year & Sixth Man of the Year were voted on by the league’s head coaches. The Freshman of the Year award was voted on by a 19-member MAC News Media Association Panel, as well as MAC head coaches.
Sibande has been Miami’s leading scorer at 14.6 points per game. That increases to 15.1 points per contest in MAC-only games. The Red and White’s most consistent scorer, he has hit double figures in 25 out of 31 contests this season. Sibande has eight 20-point scoring efforts, including a career-high 23 against Ohio last Friday. Sibande is Miami’s fourth leading rebounder at 4.2 caroms per game, and is second on the team with 39 steals.
NICK PERKINS
Perkins has served as one of the top sixth men in the country as he is averaging 16.7 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per contest. In league games only, Perkins led the Bulls in scoring at 18.2 points per game. He has scored in double figures in 28 of 31 games this season, including 21 straight since coming off the bench.
Perkins had a career high 26 points twice this season, first in the season-opener against Canisius and again in a home win over Northern Illinois. Perkins has three double-double this year, including 24 points and 10 rebounds against Toledo and 15 points and 11 boards at Ball State. Perkins was twice named MAC Player of the Week this season and he became the 21st member of UB's 1,000-point club during Buffalo's game at Ohio.
TIM BOND
Bond proved his defensive prowess yet again, being named to the MAC All-Defensive team for the third straight year. The Baltimore, Md. native set the Eastern Michigan record for career steals, passing all-time great Earl Boykins' record of 220 against Northern Illinois, Feb. 24. Bond finished second in the league in steals per game at 2.5, and also finished in the top 10 in blocks per game with a 1.1 average. With 77 steals, he now needs just one steal to tie the all-time single-season record for swipes.
Sixth Man of the Year
Nick Perkins, Buffalo, Jr., Forward
Defensive Player of the Year
Tim Bond, Eastern Michigan, Sr., Guard
Freshman of the Year (First Place Votes)
Nike Sibande, Miami, Guard (9) — 58 Points
Justin Turner, Bowling Green, Guard (9) — 56 Points
Teyvion Kirk, Ohio, Guard (8) — 52 Points
Marreon Jackson, Toledo, Guard (3) — 15 Points
Jayvon Graves, Buffalo, Guard (2) — 7 Points