Shocker Trio collects preseason awards

Wisconsin Badgers Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig were named to watch lists for the Julius Erving Award and Bob Cousy Award, respectively. Rhode Island junior E.C. Matthews, Saint Joseph’s junior DeAndre’ Bembry and VCU senior Melvin Johnson were all identified among the top players in the nation.

College basketball insiders are expecting a big things out of Iowa State point guard Monte Morris this year.

The Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award is named after the Hall of Famer and 11-time National Basketball Association All-Star, Julius Erving, and is in its second year of recognizing the best small forwards. The award will be presented by the University of Massachusetts, Erving’s alma mater and Atlantic 10 member. Twenty players are named to each watch list. He returns for his senior season fifth among active NCAA Division I players in scoring (1,510) and the only player with 1,500 points, 450 rebounds and 300 assists. He’s been selected as a finalist in each of the past two seasons and was also the top vote getter in the fan portion of the balloting.

Koenig started the final 24 games for UW last season and averaged 11.5 points and 2.7 assists during that stretch. He was a finalist for the honor last season while averaging 15.3 points and earning All-America accolades. Rathan-Mayes’ 30 points against Clemson in the ACC Tournament marks the most points by a Seminole in an ACC Tournament game and was the first time a Florida State player scored 30 points or more in an ACC Tournament game. Players can be both added or removed from the Watch List in the interim. “We are truly honored to be a part of this award”, said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The award winners will be named April 8, 2016, at ESPN College Basketball Awards Show.