Every week The Catch and Shoot will name a Player of the Week, Freshman of the Week, Team of the Week and Game of the Week from the five Division I schools in the Chicago area.
Here are the winners for the fourth week of the season (Dec. 7-Dec. 13):
Player of the Week
Photo: UIC Athletics
Dikembe Dixson, UIC
UIC nearly came from behind to upset Illinois on Saturday, and Dixson was the main reason why. He scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Despite six turnovers, the 6-foot-7 freshman still had an efficient afternoon.
Dixson is now averaging 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range this season. He has scored at least 20 points in each of his last two games.
Honorable mentions: Dominique Matthews, UIC; Tre Demps, Northwestern
Freshman of the Week
Dikembe Dixson, UIC
Honorable mentions: Dominique Matthews, UIC; Eli Cain, DePaul
Team of the Week
Northwestern
While everyone else in the area struggled over the weekend, Northwestern romped Chicago State, 77-35. The Wildcats shot 51.8 percent from the field and made 15 3-pointers.
Game of the Week
Illinois 83, UIC 79
After falling behind 41-30 at halftime, UIC came roaring back to take a brief, five-point lead in the second period. The Flames hung close until the final buzzer, taking their big brother downstate to the wire at the United Center.
The game featured several thrilling performances. Dixson had his Player of the Week explosion, and fellow freshman Dominique Matthews posted 18 points in the first half, including a stretch where he had 12 points in less than two minutes.
For Illinois, junior guard Malcolm Hill recorded 22 points.
Past awards:
