BEST of the WEEK | Dec. 27, 2004
Awards based on games from Monday through Sunday

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Carl Krauser, Pittsburgh
Veteran point guard Carl Krauser played all 40 minutes in a hard-fought 69-60 win over Richmond. Krauser finished with 31 points, seven rebounds and five assists. His effort and leadership are keys to another fast start (9-0) this season for the Panthers.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Iowa
Coach Steve Alford's Hawkeyes deserve a lot more credit for their 10-1 start. The latest solid showing came in an 83-53 blowout over Texas Tech and Bob Knight, Alford's former coach at Indiana. The Hawkeyes also have wins over Texas, Louisville and Iowa State already this season. Iowa has four players averaging more than 12.5 points and is well on its way to an NCAA berth.

DIAPER DANDY OF THE WEEK: Roy Bright, Cincinnati
In blowout wins over Jackson State and La Salle, freshman guard/forward Roy Bright posted a pair of double-doubles, averaging 14 points and 12.5 rebounds. The Bearcats (9-0) are another team flying under the radar early this season.

COACH OF THE WEEK: Skip Prosser, Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons got a big road win, knocking off a New Mexico squad that came into the game 10-1. Wake Forest (10-1) won at The Pit 81-64 as Chris Paul scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half. Give Prosser credit for having his team prepared for a tough nonconference road test.

SHOCK OF THE WEEK: Wisconsin-Parkside over Illinois-Chicago
The Flames of Illinois-Chicago almost stunned Georgia Tech earlier this season. Well, the Division II Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers stunned coach Jimmy Collins' squad 79-73. 6-foot-5 junior Gareth Malkowski hit eight trifectas and scored 33 points to spark the shocker. It was UIC's first loss to a Division II school since 1986.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.