CollegeHoopsnet.com’s Unsung Player of the Week

January 8th, 2004

CollegeHoopsnet.com announced that Vermont’s Taylor Coppenrath was named the nation’s Unsung Player of the Week, for the period ending January 7th, 2004.  The 6-9 junior led the Catamounts to a 3-0 record, including a career high 41 points against Northeastern.  With the 3 wins, Vermont is now tied with Boston University at the top of the America East standings.

For the week, Coppenrath averaged 28.9 points and 9 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 61% from the floor.  The Vermont native is leading the America East in points per game at 25.3 and is 3rd in rebounding at 7.6 per game.  When the new official NCAA statistics are released, Coppenrath should move into 3rd in the nation in scoring, passing such stars as ASU's Ike Diogu and Minnesota's Kris Humphries.

Early in the year, Coppenrath went off for 38 points in a one point loss to UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.  That big scoring effort was one of the top 5 performances by a Bruins opponent in the 39 year history of the arena.  Last year, Vermont lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament, after Coppenrath had taken home America Player of the Year honors.  He was just the fourth sophomore in conference history to take home the award, along with Reggie Lewis, Speedy Claxton, and current teammate TJ Sorrentine (who won the award in 01-02, but missed all of last year due to injury.)

This week’s finalists for Unsung Player of the Week honors included Lousiana Tech freshmen Paul Millsap, Troy State's Greg Davis, and Chez Marks of Morehead State.

Past CHN Unsung Players of the Week

January 1st - Deng Gai (Fairfield)

Past CHN Unsung Player Finalists

Adam Marks (Belmont), Rafael Araujo (BYU), Ryan Gomes (Providence)

About CollegeHoopsnet.com & the Unsung Player of the Week

Each week, members of CHN’s editorial board vote on the week’s top Unsung Player.  The award goes to a player who consistently evades the eye of the national media despite impressive accomplishments.  CHN is a nationally respected college basketball website, featuring daily coverage of dozens of teams and conferences across the country.

For more information, visit http://www.Collegehoopsnet.com