It’s time for the weekly Chicago awards. Every week, The Catch and Shoot will name a Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week from the six schools in the Greater Chicago Area: DePaul, Northwestern, UIC, Loyola, Chicago State and Valparaiso.
Here are the awards for the past week.
Player of the Week
Northwestern junior Tre Demps had a terrific week on the offensive end, averaging 18 points and 2.5 assists in two games. The 6-foot-3 guard also shot 60.9 percent from the field last week.
Demps was Northwestern’s only reliable scoring option in a 24-point loss to Michigan State. His offense remained strong in the Wildcats’ overtime win against Iowa on Sunday, and he made several key shots late in regulation and overtime.
Honorable mentions: Ahman Fells, UIC; Paris Burns, UIC; Tevonn Walker, Valparaiso
Freshman of the Week
Freshman guard Tevonn Walker continues to light it up for Valparaiso. He averaged 16.0 points and 2.5 steals in two wins last week for the Crusaders and has now reached double figures in scoring in the last six games.
Honorable mention: Bryant McIntosh, Northwestern
Team of the Week
Valparaiso went 2-0 last week, including a huge home win against Green Bay that vaulted the Crusaders into sole possession of first place in the Horizon League. Valpo followed that up with a road win at Milwaukee.
The Crusaders need two more wins to clinch at least a share of the Horizon League title.
Game of the Week
Northwestern finally ended its 10-game losing streak Sunday by beating Iowa, but it was not easy. The Wildcats went back and forth with the Hawkeyes at Welsh-Ryan Arena, and the home team took a four-point lead in the final minute.
Iowa forward Jarrod Uthoff drained a 3-pointer to cut the Northwestern lead to 52-51. After Northwestern freshman Bryant McIntosh made two free throws, Uthoff made a long, contested triple to force overtime.
Iowa struck first in the overtime and led 57-55, but Northwestern scored 7 straight points and went on to win 66-61.
Honorable mention: Valparaiso 63, Green Bay 59 (2/13)
