CollegeHoops.net Player of the Week: Robert Vaden

Rob McKiver scored 52 points in one game. Tyrese Rice scored 46 points against North Carolina. Sean Singletary scored 41 points at Miami (Fl.). Michael Beasley had 69 points and 26 rebounds in his two games this week. And none of them are this week’s Collegehoops.net Player of the Week. The list of impressive and standout performances gets bigger as the season winds down as the star players step-up and attempt to lead their teams to victory. However, many of those big-time games are done in losing efforts. Therefore, this week’s honor goes to UAB’s Robert Vaden, who had an outstanding week, and – get this – his team actually won two games.

 

UAB struggled earlier in the season as the Blazers’ plethora of transfers and newcomers were taking time to mesh with the returnees and with each other. However, they have made their way into the at-large mix on the strength of their 13-3 record in the last 16 games, and on the back of Vaden. This week was no different. The Blazers picked up a road win over UTEP and a home victory against Tulane, pushing them into second in Conference-USA. Vaden was the main reason for the wins – he finished with 41 points, six rebounds and three assists against UTEP, and 30 points and four rebounds vs. Tulane. He also shot 14 for 25 from three-point range and 19 of 21 from the foul line in the two games. The 6-5 junior is now averaging 22.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game on the season.

 

With just two games left in the season, UAB needs to finish strong to garner consideration for an NCAA Tournament berth. Unfortunately, one of those games is at Memphis in a rematch of their epic 79-78 Tigers’ win two weeks ago. In that game, Vaden had 27 points and five assists. He needs to come through with another huge performance if UAB is to win on the road. As the past week showed, though, he is certainly capable of it.

 

2007-08 Collegehoops.net Players of the Week
February 25th - Al Fisher, Kent State

February 18th - Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
February 11th - Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
February 4th - Ryan Anderson, California
January 27th - Jerryd Bayless, FR, Arizona
January 20th – Davon Jefferson, FR, USC
January 13th – Michael Beasley, FR, Kansas State
January 6th - Shan Foster, SR, Vanderbilt
December 30th - Brian Butch, SR, Wisconsin
December 23rd - Dwayne Curtis, SR, F, Mississippi
December 16th - Gary Forbes, SR, F, UMASS
December 9th - Joe Alexander, JR, F, West Virginia
December 2nd - Jerryd Bayless, FR, G, Arizona
November 25th - DJ Augustin, SO, G, Texas
November 18th - Jon Brockman, JR, F, Washington
November 11th - Michael Beasley, FR, F, Kansas State