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Illinois' Trent Meacham and Michigan's DeShawn Sims Named Co-Players of the Week
Co-Player of the Week: Trent Meacham garners his first weekly accolade after leading Illinois to a pair of victories last week, including a 75-59 win over No. 25 Missouri. The senior guard averaged 19.5 points, 4.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds to lead the charge and help the Illini wrap up non-conference play with a six-game winning streak. Meacham scored a season-high and game-high 23 points in Illinois’ ninth straight win over Missouri, a game where the Illini recorded their first win over a ranked opponent on the season. Meacham was in double figures again in the 62-53 win over Eastern Michigan, netting 16 points while shooting a season-best four-of-five from behind the arc. On the week, Meacham shot an impressive 63.6 percent from three-point range (7-of-11) and 92.3 percent from the free-throw line (12-of-13). Meacham leads the Illini in scoring on the season, averaging 12.2 points, while shooting 50 percent from the field and three-point range. Last Illinois POW: Mike Tisdale (December 1, 2008) Co-Player of the Week: Michigan’s DeShawn Sims earns his second weekly laurel after leading the Wolverines over Florida Gulf Coast, 76-59, while posting a historic 20 rebounds and 20 points to garner his fourth double-double of the season. Sims became the first Wolverine to post a 20-point, 20-rebound performance in 31 years. The last Wolverine to accomplish the feat was Phil Hubbard, who had 22 points and 26 rebounds vs. Detroit (March, 1977). Sims’ 20 points gives him 11 straight games scoring in double figures this season, and marks his 37th career double-digit game and seventh 20-plus point game. En route to the career-best board mark, by halftime Sims had surpassed his previous high of 12, grabbing 13 total rebounds, including 10 on the defensive end, in the first half. Sims’ 20 rebounds marked the first 20-plus rebounding performance since Graham Brown (2003-06) had 21 at Indiana (January, 2006). Along the way, Sims posted a new career best with 15 defensive rebounds. With his 20 rebounds, Sims posted the most rebounds by a Big Ten Conference player this season. The previous best in the conference was by teammate Manny Harris, who had 15 against Norfolk State. Last Michigan POW: Manny Harris (November 17, 2008)
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