Jan. 31, 2005

Big Ten Player of the Week
James Augustine, Illinois
JR, F, Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central

Augustine helped Illinois extend its school-record start to 21-0, averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting 83.3 percent from the field (10-of-12) last week. He posted 14 points, a game-high eight rebounds and two blocks in a 75-65 victory over Wisconsin, ending the Badgers' 38-game home winning streak. With Illinois up by just one with three minutes remaining, Augustine had back-to-back dunks to give the Illini a five-point advantage and seal the win. He followed with another strong performance, tallying 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting (.833) against Minnesota, while pulling down a team-high seven rebounds and adding a game-high three blocks. Augustine currently leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage (63.9), shooting 78-of-122 from the field this season. He claims his second career Big Ten laurel as he was also named Player of the Week on Jan. 10. Illinois has set a Big Ten record by having four different players named Player of the Week during the same season as Augustine joins teammates Dee Brown (Nov. 22), Luther Head (Jan. 17), and Roger Powell (Dec. 6).