Willamette Men’s Basketball Team Announces Award Winners for 2006-07 Season

Rob Andrus is MVP for Bearcats.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SALEM, Ore. - The Willamette University men’s basketball team has announced its award winners for the 2006-07 season.

A total of five players were honored.

All of the award winners were chosen in voting by team members.

Rob Andrus (Sr., Wing, Chimacum, WA/Chimacum HS) and Corey Costantino (So., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) received the Academic Achievement Award.

Andrus is an Environmental Science major. Costantino is majoring in Chemistry (Biochemistry track).

The Captain’s Award went to team captain Josh Erickson (Sr., Guard, Keizer, OR/McNary HS).

Erickson also was selected for the Most Inspirational Award after twice returning to action following potential season-ending injuries.

In each case, he saw action in just one game before returning to the injured list.

The Most Improved Award went to Michael Smith (Jr., Wing, Phoenix, OR/Phoenix HS).

Smith played in all 25 games with 20 starts. He averaged 11.1 points per game. As a sophomore in 2005-06, he played in just 10 games and averaged 1.9 points per contest.

Andrus was voted Team Most Valuable Player.

He played in all 25 games, but had just eight starts, as he was perhaps the top “sixth man” in the Northwest Conference. Andrus averaged 10.2 points per game and ranked third in the NWC in free throw percentage at 83.5% (81 of 97).

Willamette concluded the season with a 10-15 overall record, including 6-10 (6th place tie) in the NWC.

The Bearcats battled significant injuries, with Erickson missing nearly the entire season and senior guard C.J. Stuvland playing in just 10 games.

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