TicketsUC Forwards Maxiell And Hicks Earn All-Conference USA Recognition
Maxiell named to second team, Hicks to third
Contact: Brian Teter
3/7/2005
Jason Maxiell was selected to the All-Conference USA second team. |
CINCINNATI, Ohio--University of Cincinnati power forwards Jason Maxiell and Eric Hicks were recognized for their outstanding 2004-05 seasons on Monday when they were named to the 15-member All-Conference USA team. Maxiell, a three-year starter, was named to the second team for the second straight year, while Hicks, claimed third team all-league honors.
Maxiell, a 6-7, 250-pound senior, leads UC in scoring at 15.1 points, which is 12th in Conference USA, to go along with 7.6 rebounds (9th) and 2.7 blocked shots (2nd), while ranking third in field goal percentage (.536). The Carrollton, Texas native ranks No. 11 all-time at UC in scoring with 1,514 points, which is No. 13 all-time in C-USA, and he is No. 2 all-time at UC in blocked shots with 241, and that ranks fourth all-time in league history.
Hicks, a 6-6, 240-pound junior, has emerged as a force in this his first year as a starter. He is averaging 13.7 points (20th in C-USA) and 9.0 rebounds (4th), while ranking third in the league in blocks (2.3) and sixth in field goal percentage (.523). The Greensboro, N.C. native has a team-best nine double-doubles this season and 12 in his career.
"Max and Eric have been terrific this season. They have done everything we have asked of them," said UC head coach Bob Huggins. "Max has been rock solid for us for four years and deserves all the accolades he gets because he works hard and brings it every day, while Eric has made great improvements in his entire game and he has become a solid inside player in this league."
The C-USA first team includes Charlotte forwards Eddie Basden and Curtis Withers, Louisville forward Francisco Garcia, Marquette guard Travis Diener, and DePaul forward Quemont Greer. The second team, led by UC's Maxiell, consists of Andre Owens of Houston, Rodney Carney of Memphis, Terrence Leather of South Florida, and UAB's Donell Taylor. The third team is comprised of Hicks, Taquan Dean of Louisville, Corey Santee of TCU, Drake Diener of DePaul, and Memphis' Darius Washington Jr.
The Bearcats, ranked 21st this week in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll and No. 22 by the Associated Press, open postseason play on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. EST in the quarterfinals of the Kelly Tires Conference USA Tournament in Memphis against the winner of Wednesday's Houston-South Florida contest.