BEST of the WEEK | Dec. 8, 2003
Awards based on games from Monday through Sunday

	Warrick

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hakim Warrick, Syracuse
Carmelo Anthony is now in the NBA, but forward Hakim Warrick is still there to pick up the frontcourt-scoring load for the Orangemen. The potential All-Rolls Royce forward posted a couple of big games for coach Jim Boeheim last week.

He scored 30 points, including 18-of-22 from the foul line, plus nine boards in a close call against coach Jim Baron and Rhode Island (a team that beat Providence later in the week). Warrick then came through with 27 points and nine rebounds in a win over St. Bonaventure.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma
Coach Kelvin Sampson's young Sooners withstood the challenge from Michigan State in a showdown at The Palace in Auburn Hills. Oklahoma has a pair of diaper dandies starting -- Drew Lavender (a member of my All-Randy Newman team) and Lawrence McKenzie.

The Sooners built up a 15-point lead, then saw the Spartans come back and send the game to overtime. Sampson's team fought hard and still got the W!

COACH OF THE WEEK: Mike Montgomery, Stanford
Stanford started the week with a road win at Rice. That wasn't an easy victory against coach Willis Wilson's Owls.

The Cardinal then knocked off No. 1 Kansas at the John Wooden Classic. Remember, Stanford has been doing well despite the absence of Josh Childress (foot injury). Year in and year out, Montgomery does an outstanding job in Palo Alto, putting a quality team on the floor.

CO-SHOCKS OF THE WEEK:
Williams over Holy Cross and Oakland over Texas A&M
Holy Cross, which pushed Kentucky and Kansas in recent NCAA Tournaments, was stunned by the defending Division III champions, 78-71.

Coach Ralph Willard's Crusaders were hurt by Michael Crotty's 23 points, including six trifectas. Williams shot 12-of-23 from behind the arc. The victory was the 24th straight for the Ephs.

Oakland snapped a five-game losing streak by crushing the Aggies (then 3-1) 90-58. That marked the Golden Grizzlies' third win over a major-conference opponent in Oakland's six seasons in Division I.

DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Chris Paul, Wake Forest
Wake Forest guard Chris Paul scored 20 points in a win over Indiana at the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. He followed up with 17 in a win over Richmond.

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