AP Player of the Week: Texas Tech's Darrion Williams was perfect in rout of Kansas
Texas Tech guard Darrion Williams (5) reacts after a score against Kansas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. Credit: AP/Justin Rex
The Associated Press national player of the week in men’s basketball for Week 15 of the season:
DARRION WILLIAMS, TEXAS TECH
The sophomore transfer from Nevada had a perfect shooting night in leading the Red Raiders to a 79-50 rout of then-No. 6 Kansas last week. He was 12 for 12 from the field, including 4 for 4 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 2 for 2 from the foul line. That added up to a career-best 30 points to go with a season-high 11 rebounds. Williams followed up with 12 points and 11 boards in a loss to Iowa State, the current No. 6 team in the nation. Williams has scored in double figure in four consecutive games, helping the Red Raiders return to the AP Top 25 at No. 23 this week.
RUNNER-UP
Blake Hinson, Pittsburgh. The senior guard had 27 points in a win over then-No. 21 Virginia, then went 9 of 13 from the 3-point arc and scored 41 points in a win over Louisville. Hinson has scored in double figures in all but three games this season, and he is second nationally in 3s per game behind only Tyler Thomas of Hofstra.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jestin Porter, Middle Tennessee; Devin Carter, Providence; Jared McCain, Duke.
Texas Tech guard Darrion Williams drives to the basket as Iowa State's Hason Ward (24) and Milan Momcilovic (22) defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Credit: AP/Bryon Houlgrave
KEEP AN EYE ON
Johnny Kinzinger, Illinois State. In only his third start, the freshman went 10 of 12 from the field and scored 31 points with four rebounds in an 80-67 road upset of No. 23 Indiana State. He followed with 18 points, seven assists and four rebounds in a win over Evansville. Kinzinger played all but five minutes in the two games combined.
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AP voters: Aaron Beard, Cliff Brunt, Gary B. Graves, Beth Harris, Mike Marot, John Marshall, Eric Olson, Dave Skretta, Teresa M. Walker.
Pittsburgh's Blake Hinson looks at the scoreboard after scoring his 41st point, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
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