McCollum makes history; four honored by P.L.
3/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – C.J. McCollum made history on Monday as he became the first men’s basketball player in Patriot League history to be named the league’s Player and Rookie of the Year. McCollum was also named to the All-League First-Team as well as the All-Rookie Team. Joining McCollum on the All-League Teams were senior captains Marquis Hall and Zahir Carrington who garnered Second-Team distinction, while freshman Gabe Knutson joined McCollum on the All-Rookie Team. The top scoring freshman in all of America, McCollum led the Patriot League in scoring during league play with a 23.5 per game average.
Mountain Hawks head coach Brett Reed offered his thoughts on McCollum on the league’s teleconference on Monday. “He had a tremendous season and continued to get better as the year progressed. Often it’s difficult for a freshman to continue to produce at the level he has and I’m happy that the other league coaches recognized with for these honors.”
He added, “It’s a testament to our program and how hard our players have worked in receiving these postseason accolades.”
McCollum is only the second Mountain Hawk to be named Player of the Year, joining the 2004 winner, Austen Rowland and he is the third Lehigh player in the last four seasons to garner Rookie of the Year accolades, joining Hall (2007) and current junior Rob Keefer (2008). McColum has been named Rookie of the Week eight times this season and has a chance to become only the third player in league history to earn nine Rookie awards when the league announces the winner later this afternoon. A 6-3 guard, McCollum is averaging a team-leading 18.8 points this season and his 544 points are only three away from breaking the all-time Lehigh freshman scoring mark of 546 set by Daren Queenan during the 1984-85 campaign. McCollum is also averaging 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 43% from three-point range and 81% at the foul line.
McCollum becomes Lehigh’s sixth First-Team All-League selection. He is only the third freshman in league annals to garner All-League laurels, joining Colgate’s Adonal Foyle (First Team: 1994-95) and Pat Campoplieta (Second-Team: 1998-99). Bucknell’s Mike Muscala was also named to the All-League Teams this season, becoming the fourth freshman to receive the honor. McCollum has led Lehigh in scoring 15 times this season with 25 games of 10 or more points, 14 games with 20 or more and three games of 30 or more, including a season best 33 versus Army on February 13. The Ohio native is also the first freshman in school history to post eight games of 25 or more points.
Joining McCollum on the All-League Teams are seniors Marquis Hall and Zahir Carrington. A three time All-League selection, Hall is averaging 11.3 points and 5.7 assists to go along with 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and a 2.6 assist/turnover ratio. A native of Oregon, Hall was named to the All-Rookie Team as a freshman, the Second-Team as a sophomore, the First-Team last season and now the Second Team for a second time. He becomes the 13th player in league history to be named to the All-League Teams on three occasions.
Hall became Lehigh’s all-time assists leader earlier this season and sits in second place in league history with 544 assists. Hall’s 165 helpers this season are a Lehigh single season record, breaking the old mark of 160 set by Mike McKee during the 1993-94 season. Hall is the first player in league history to score 1,400 points and hand out 500 assists and his 169 steals rank in the top-15 in the league record book, while his 210 three-pointers rank fourth in the Lehigh record book. For the season Hall has scored in double digits 16 times with a season best 25 in the win over Holy Cross on February 27. Hall has handed out ten or more assists in seven games, including a career-best 12 in that win over the Crusaders. Hall has led the Mountain Hawks in scoring six times and in assists 20 times.
Carrington receives his second straight Second-Team nod after averaging 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 50% from the field. A native of Philadelphia Carrington has led Lehigh in scoring three times and in rebounding ten times. He has posted five double-doubles and pulled down 10 or more rebounds six times. Carrington netted a season high of 20 points on two occasions and his six blocked shots in the win over Dartmouth were a career-high.
Carrington’s 1,203 career points rank 16th in school history and his 638 rebounds are only five away from entering the top-ten in league annals. Carrington is also just the second frontcourt player from Lehigh to earn more than one All-Patriot League selection, joining Dozie MBonu, who was named to the All-League squads in 1991 and 1992.
Rounding out Lehigh’s award winners is two time league Rookie of the Week Gabe Knutson, who has been a mainstay in the Lehigh lineup since day one. The Iowa native averages 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field, which ranks among the league leaders. Knutson is also shooting 76% from the foul line and his 291 points are the tenth most in school history by a freshman.
Knutson has started every game but one this season and has grabbed five or more rebounds in 21 games, including a season best 10 vs. Dartmouth. He has led Lehigh in rebounds in six games and scored in double figures 15 times. Knutson was named the league Rookie of the Week on January 4 after scoring a then-season-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting in Lehigh’s win over NJIT, and he was honored again on February 1 after he netted a season best 31 points in Lehigh’s first win at Holy Cross since 1998. Knutson sank 11-of-15 shots against the Crusaders as well as 9-of-11 free throws.
Knutson and McCollum are the first pair of freshmen teammates at Lehigh to post games of 30 or more points and they are the first pair of Lehigh teammates on the All-Rookie Team since Hall and Carrington achieved the feat in 2007.
Lehigh opens postseason play on Wednesday, March 3 when the top-seeded Mountain Hawks play host to the No. 8 Army Black Knights at Stabler Arena in the quarterfinal round of the 2010 Patriot League Tournament. Tip-off is set for 7:00 and tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by logging onto Lehighsports.com or at the arena box office prior to tip-off.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for seniors and students with a valid student ID. Lehigh students and faculty/staff must purchase tickets to the game because it is a postseason event. All ID card holders of any kind will be asked to purchase a ticket to the game. Season ticket holders are guaranteed their regular season seats and should purchase by phone or by visiting Grace Hall.
2009-10 Patriot League Men’s Basketball All-League Teams
First Team
Name, School |
Class |
Pos. |
Hometown |
Chris Harris, Navy |
Sr. |
G |
Mechanicsville, Va. |
C.J. McCollum, Lehigh |
Fr. |
G |
Canton, Ohio |
Jared Mintz, Lafayette |
Jr. |
F |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Vlad Moldoveanu, American |
Jr. |
F |
Bucharest, Romania |
Kyle Roemer, Colgate |
Sr. |
G/F |
Martinez, Calif. |
Second Team
Name, School |
Class |
Pos. |
Hometown |
Zahir Carrington, Lehigh |
Sr. |
F |
Philadelphia, Pa. |
Marquis Hall, Lehigh |
Sr. |
G |
Portland, Ore. |
Mike Muscala, Bucknell |
Fr. |
F/C |
Roseville, Minn. |
Andrew Keister, Holy Cross |
Jr. |
F |
Galloway, N.J. |
Ryan Willen, Lafayette |
So. |
F |
Cape Giradeau, Mo. |
All-Rookie Team
Name, School |
Pos. |
Hometown |
Bryson Johnson, Bucknell |
G |
Pictou, Nova Scotia |
Gabe Knutson, Lehigh |
F |
Urbandale, Iowa |
C.J. McCollum, Lehigh |
G |
Canton, Ohio |
Mike Muscala, Bucknell |
F/C |
Roseville, Minn. |
Mitch Rolls, Colgate |
G |
Coffeyville, Kan. |
Joe Willman, Bucknell |
F |
Monmouth, N.J. |
Major Award Winners
Player of the Year: C.J. McCollum, Fr., G, Lehigh
Rookie of the Year: C.J. McCollum, Fr., G, Lehigh
Defensive Player of the Year: Bryan Cohen, So., G, Bucknell
Coach of the Year: Fran O’Hanlon, Lafayette
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Marquis Hall, Sr., G, Lehigh