University of Nevada Athletics

RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada men's basketball team held its Starting 5 postseason banquet on Wednesday night at the Silver Legacy Resort and Casino in downtown Reno. The Starting 5 is the booster organization that supports the Wolf Pack men's basketball team.

A full house celebrated the Pack's College Basketball Invitational championships and the 15 game turnaround orchestrated by first-year head coach Eric Musselman, from last season to a final record of 24-14. The coaches announced the team awards and every player honored received a standing ovation.

Senior Tyron Criswell and freshman Lindsey Drew were named the recipients of the Rock Award. It is presented to the player who shows strength, consistency, sacrifice and toughness throughout the season.

Criswell averaged 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and shot a team best 50.9 percent from the field. He was named the MVP of the CBI and was selected by the MW media as their Sixth Man of the Year. In the CBI finals he averaged 21.3 points, eight rebounds, 3.3 assists and shot 57.1 percent from the field. In the first game of the CBI finals he netted a game-high 31 points. He posted a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the deciding third game. His basket with 13 seconds in overtime proved to be the winning points.

In his first season at Nevada, Drew started 36 games and played in 37. He averaged 5.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists and set a Pack freshman record with 56 steals. When senior Marqueze Coleman suffered an ankle injury late in the season he took over the point guard position and directed the team.

Junior D.J. Fenner earned The Hunt Award. The theme of the Nevada men's basketball team this season was The Hunt. This award encompassed on and off the court factors. It represents always working to improve, spending the extra time in the gym, always being in attack mode and working hard in the classroom.

Freshman Cameron Oliver was named the Most Improved Player. Oliver came off the bench to start the season but started the last 33 games. He averaged 13.4 points, a team-high 9.1 rebounds, led the MW and ranked 13th nationally blocking 2.6 shots per game. His 99 blocks this season is a MW and Nevada freshman record along with a Wolf Pack single season mark. The MW media selected him as their Freshman of the Year and to the second team. The conference coaches put him on the MW Defensive team and third team.

The Most Inspirational player was senior Lucas Stivrins. Stivrins suffered a broken hand and missed several games but still was an inspiration to his coaches and teammates with his positive attitude throughout the season.

Senior Marqueze Coleman was recognized with the Closer Award. The award goes to the player that has the courage to take the big shot down the stretch. The player who the coaches, give the ball and trust he will eitherl make the big shot or the correct decision to win the game. Coleman averaged a team-high 15.1 points and 3.3 assists per game. He was named to the NABC District 17, MW coaches and MW media second team. His 1,098 points ranks 21st in school history.

Rock Award
Tyron Criswell
Lindsey Drew

The Hunt Award
D.J. Fenner

Most Improved
Cameron Oliver

Most Inspirational
Lucas Stivrins

Closer Award
Marqueze Coleman