By Staff
PARK RIDGE, Ill. – After earning MVP honors at the Ann Arbor Regional of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, sophomore Manny Harris was named the Big Ten's Player of the Week on Monday by the conference office.
It marks the second time his Harris' career he has earned the conference distinction, after receiving the award for the week ending Feb. 18, 2008 last season.
This week, Harris (Detroit, Mich./Redford HS) helped U-M get off to a 2-0 start after a stellar performance in the Ann Arbor Regional for the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. Harris helped U-M claim regional honors as he averaged 28.0 points, 8.5 rebound and 5.0 assists while shooting 66.7 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from behind the arc and 87.0 percent from the line. With those efforts, Harris earned regional MVP honors, helping U-M advance to the championship rounds at Madison Square Garden.
Opening the season, Harris became just the 35th Wolverine in history to post a 30-plus point game after scoring a career-high 30 points against Michigan Tech (Nov. 11) after a 10-for-15 effort from the floor. He added seven rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of action as the Wolverines rolled past the Huskies, 77-55.
In the second contest against Northeastern, Harris nearly posted the second triple-double in U-M history after tallying 26 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and a career-high-tying eight assists. Despite just missing the U-M milestone, he did earn his first career double-double as U-M pulled away for the 76-56 win.
In addition, half of his 26 points against the Huskies came from the free throw line as he closed the game 13-for-14 from the line.
U-M will meet No. 4 UCLA in the semifinal of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, Thursday in Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
The game will tip at 9 p.m., and be broadcast on ESPN2. If the Wolverines win, they will move on to the championship against the winner of the Southern Illinois/Duke game Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. If they lose, U-M will play in the consolation game at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.