Northwestern University Athletics
Vukusic Named Big Ten Player of the Week
1/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill.--Senior forward Vedran Vukusic (Split, Croatia/Medical) has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week after leading the Wildcats to a perfect 2-0 start in the Big Ten, the conference office announced Jan. 9.
Vukusic averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game as the Wildcats picked up wins at home over Purdue and on the road against Minnesota.
In a 66-53 victory over the Boilermakers Wednesday, he finished the game tying a season high with 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting, while going 8-of-9 from the free throw line. He hit his first five shots and had 20 points at halftime. He also connected on two from downtown and had three steals. Vukusic then led all players with 17 points, while also tallying seven rebounds and two blocks in a 57-49 road victory over Minnesota. He hit 3-of-5 from behind the arc and played the entire 40 minutes, helping the 'Cats to their first 2-0 start in the Big Ten in 23 years.
Vukusic finished the week shooting 64 percent from the field (16-of-25), 5-of-9 from three-point range (.556) and 8-of-9 from the free throw line (.889). Vukusic, who currently leads the Big Ten in scoring with 21.8 points per game, has led the Wildcats in scoring in 12-of-13 contests this season.
Vukusic earns his second Player of the Week accolade as he was also honored on Dec. 22, 2003.
Vukusic and the Wildcats will look to extend their winning streak to six against Penn State at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
