By CHRIS RUSSELL & JEREMY FUCHS
Bobby Portis of Arkansas has been named the ZAGSBLOG National Player of the Week.
The former McDonald’s All-American posted a season-high 32 points on 13-for-18 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds in a conference victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday.
“People say [Vanderbilt’s Damian Jones is better] a lot, so I had to do something to shut that up,” Portis told reporters. “Just my friends talking smack; I had to shut them up.”
On Tuesday, Portis scored 21 points in a victory over Georgia. The sophomore standout leads the Razorbacks in scoring (17.1 points) and rebounding (7.6) on the season. Portis’ efforts have elevated No. 23 Arkansas (13-2,2-0) to their best start since 2004-05 season.
Next game: Tuesday at Tennessee, 7 p.m.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Darrun Hilliard, Villanova – Hilliard led No. 8 Villanova to back-to-back conference victories over St. John’s and Depaul this past week. On the week, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.5 points per game.
Next game: Jan.14 vs Xavier @ 9 PM
Devin Thomas, Wake Forest – Though Wake Forest lost back-to-back conference games against No. 5 Louisville and No. 2 Duke, Thomas did his best to keep the Demon Deacons in both contests. On the week, Thomas averaged 27.5 points per game and 8 rebounds per game. On the season, the junior is averaging a near double-double, 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Next game: Jan. 13 at Syracuse @8 PM.
Malcolm Hill, Illinois – The 6-foot-6 Hill was instrumental on Wednesday, leading the Illini with 28 points and 8 rebounds in an upset victory over No. 11 Maryland. The sophomore from Belleville, Ill., is averaging 14 points and 5.7 rebounds on the season.
Next game: Jan. 14 at Northwestern @ 9 PM.
Aaron Harrison, Kentucky – Harrison was the leading scorer in Tuesday’s overtime victory over Ole Miss. The sophomore guard posted a season-high 26 points including a career-high five made threes. On the week Harrison averaged 19 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, helping solidify Kentucky’s undefeated record.
Next game: Jan. 13 vs Missouri @ 9 PM.
Stefan Moody, Ole Miss – Moody was sensational in Tuesday’s matchup versus No. 1 Kentucky. The 5-foot-10 guard scored 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting including 5-made three pointers.
Next game: Jan. 14 vs LSU @7 PM.
D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State – The freshman from Louisville, Ky., posted 27 points and 5 assists in a key road victory against Minnesota on Monday. On the week Russell averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Next game: Jan. 13 vs Michigan @ 7 PM.
Terry Rozier, Louisville – On the week, the sophomore posted an average of 19.3 points, 4.3 Rebounds and 3 assists per game. The Youngstown, Ohio product leads the Cardinals in scoring on the season, averaging 17.4 per contest.
Next game: Jan.13 vs Virginia Tech @ 7 PM
Kevon Looney, UCLA – The 6-foot-9 freshman posted a career high 27 points and 19 rebounds against Stanford to help stop a 5-game losing streak. On the week Looney averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.
Next game: Jan. 14 at USC @ 7:30 PM
Trevor Lacey, N.C. State – To beat a great team, you often need a hot shooter. In N.C. State’s win over No. 2 Duke, Lacey scored 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including 5-7 from beyond the arc. Lacey, a junior guard, leads the Wolfpack in scoring this season.
Next game: Jan. 14 vs No. 18. UNC @ 7 PM
Myles Mack, Rutgers: When I first saw Mack in person at Rutgers’ season opener against GW, my first thought was that he was the one player on the roster who could truly start on any Big 10 team. In Rutgers’ monumental upset over No. 4 Wisconsin, Mack showed what he could do against top competition. The senior guard led all scorers with 21 points, and played 39 minutes. Mack is averaging 13.5 points in Big Ten play, despite being one of two of Rutgers’ scoring threats, with Kadeem Jack being the other.
Next game: Jan. 14 @ No. 11 Maryland, @ 7 P.M
Photo: USA Today Sports
