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By Wooden Watch

For the week ending November 24

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s - Guard

Registered 20 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds to lead the Hawks to an exciting 73-66 victory over highly ranked Gonzaga in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden…had two steals and went 7-for-8 from the foul line…named the game’s most valuable player and the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Player of the Week.

Ben Gordon, Connecticut - Guard

Through three games this season, has shot an amazing 11 for 15 (73.3%) from three-point range…scored a career-high 37 points to lead the top-ranked Huskies past Nevada in a 93-79 win during the second round of the 2003 Preseason National Invitation Tournament…followed up his career night by scoring 27 points in a 111-64 victory over in-state rival Sacred Heart.

Travis Diener, Marquette - Guard

Has guided Marquette to a 3-0 start this season…had 26 points and nine assists in the Blue and Gold Classic championship game against Valparaiso…registered 14 points in a win over Savannah State…opened the year with 18 points including a career-high nine free throws in a 52-45 win over St. John's in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic…hit 4 clutch free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach…named Conference USA Player of the Week.

Lawrence Roberts, Mississippi State - Forward

Posted team-high totals of 26 points and 15 rebounds in the season opening victory against Tennessee-Martin…connected on 12-of-17 shots from the field…the transfer from Baylor University registered MSU's best scoring effort in a debut since 1975… added three assists and a pair of steals…named SEC player of the week.

Andre Emmett, Texas Tech-Guard

Opened the season with 17 points, five rebounds and three steals in the Raiders’ 89-58 win against Davidson…led all scorers with 18 points and had four steals in a 90-50 win against Massachusetts, advancing Texas Tech to the semifinals of the Preseason NIT…posted his first double-double of the season with 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 64-53 win over East Tennessee State…named Big 12 Player of the Week.

WOODEN GAME OF THE WEEK

Michigan State at Kansas

The last five Final Fours have included at least one of these college basketball powerhouses, a streak that could continue this season with each school featuring two Wooden Award Candidates. Down low, Spartans sophomore Paul Davis has a big test in Wayne Simien, who sat out the Jayhawks' NCAA run after shoulder surgery. This early season clash of the titans also features a prominent backcourt battle as Michigan State junior guard Chris Hill goes toe-to-toe with Kansas’ super swingman Keith Langford, who recently led the Jayhawks with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting in a win against UT Chattanooga. This game will be Bill Self’s first true test against a national powerhouse as Kansas head coach after replacing Roy Williams. Tuesday's meeting is the seventh all-time between Kansas and Michigan State, with the series currently tied at three games apiece. The teams square off in a nationally televised contest on ESPN at 9 pm EST, so be sure to watch!

WOODEN WATCH ASKS PLAYERS: WHAT IS YOUR NICKNAME?

Bracey Wright, Indiana: B-Easy
Ryan Gomes, Providence: Quiet Storm
Amit Tamir, California: Premier Tamir
Kevin Bookout, Oklahoma: Book
Dee Brown, Illinois: Lil’ Dee
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse: G MAC
Francisco Garcia, Louisville: Flaco
Channing Frye, Arizona: Frye
Jameer Nelson, St. Jospeh’s: J Nel
Josh Childress, Stanford: J Chill
Chris Thomas, Notre Dame: CT
Torin Francis, Notre Dame: T Fran / T
Darius Rice, Miami: D-Rice
Hakim Warrick, Syracuse: Hak or Skinny
Andre Emmett, Texas Tech: AE
Andre Barrett, Seton Hall: Dre

For more info on the John Wooden Award, visit WoodenAward.com