Accolades Roll in for Cole, Howard

INDIANAPOLIS -- Cleveland State senior Norris Cole was named one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, and the Horizon League Player of the Year was joined on the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-Distrtict V Team by Butler senior Matt Howard.

The Bob Cousy Award is given to the top point guard in the country and will be awarded on April 1 after a review of all five candidates by the Naismith Hall of Fame Blue Ribbon Selection Committee.

Cole was joined in the final five by Jimmer Fredette of BYU, Duke's Nolan Smith, Jordan Taylor of Wisconsin and Kemba Walker of Connecticut.  Receiving Horizon League Player of the Year accolades after pacing the League in scoring, steals and tying for the lead in assists in the regular season, becoming the first player since the second year of the League's existence to do so.  The senior recorded one of the most memorable games in recent NCAA history with a 41-point, 20-rebound, 9-assist effort on Feb. 12.  At 21.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 5.3 assists per game, Cole will lead Cleveland State into postseason play, with the opponent to be determined.

Howard and Cole formed the first tandem in the League to be named to the same All-District V Team in the last eight years of voting.  Leading Butler to its fifth straight berth in the NCAA Tournament, Howard collected his second consecutive tournament MVP honor after posting a game-high 18 points in the championship game.  On the year, the Connersville, Ind.-native is averaging 16.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg.