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Issued: March 3, 2006

MEN'S BASKETBALL HANDS OUT TEAM AWARDS

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team and head coach Terry Gibbons handed out team awards recently for the past season.

Jared Bardon (So.-DeForest) was named the team's Most Valuable Player this season. Yesterday, Bardon was named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) All-Conference team as an honorable mention selection.

Bardon led the Blugolds in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game, which was good for sixth-best in the conference. He was the team's high scorer in 14 of its 26 games this season.

Bardon also received the award for assists and steals. He led the team in steals this season with 31 and assists with 64.

Matt Riley (Jr.-Cadott) received the Hustle award and the Big D award as the team's best defensive player. For most of the season, Riley was matched up with the opponent's best player. He also received the team award for rebounds. Riley led the team in rebounds this season with 125.

Luke Meier (So.-Cross Plains/Middleton) was awarded the Fireman award for best shooter. He also received team award for best field goal percentage, best 3-point percentage, and best free throw percentage. Meier had a field goal percentage of 52%, a 3-point percentage of 56%, and a free throw percentage of 83% this season.

Zack Ryan (So.-Lake Elmo, MN/Tartan) was named the team's Most Improved Player. Last season, Ryan only played in eight games and averaged just one point per game. This season, he played and started in all 26 games and was second on the team in scoring as he averaged 10.7 points per game. Ryan was also second on the team in assists with 61.

The Most Valuable New Player award went to B.J. Vetterkind (Fr.-Mondovi). This season Vetterkind played in all 26 games and averaged 4.1 points per game off the bench.

The team's lone senior Tyler Birkel (Sr.-Spring Valley) received the Inspirational award and was named the Captain for the past season. He was awarded the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete for his achievements on and off the court yesterday by the conference. Birkel has led the team in blocked shots in all four years he has played.

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