Mike Hlas, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa –
Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg and Kansas’ Bill Self were named the Big 12′s Co-Coaches of the Year in men’s basketball on Sunday.
The following is from the Big 12′s release:
“I am humbled to be recognized as the co-coach of the year in a league with outstanding head coaches,” Hoiberg said. “This award is a credit to our players and coaching staff, who worked tirelessly throughout the season to improve each day. I can’t thank them enough for their hard work.”
The Cyclones were predicted to finish eighth in the preseason Big 12 Coaches poll, but Hoiberg and Cyclones earned the No. 3 seed at the Big 12 Championship, tying for third in the Big 12 with a 12-6 record. Iowa State’s 12 wins in league play is the third-best total in school history.
After finishing last in the Big 12 at 3-13 a year ago, Iowa State improved its conference win total by nine (12-6). It is the largest turnaround by any team in all-time Big 12 play. The Cyclones also finished the regular-season with 22 victories, the third-best total in Iowa State history.
The Mayor, who has a 38-25 overall record at ISU, led the Cyclones to a pair home wins over top-10 teams (Kansas, Baylor) for the first time since 1992. He also energized the Iowa State fan-base, as the Cyclones finished second in the league in attendance (13,015), selling out four of their last six home games.
Hoiberg joins former Iowa State head coaches Tim Floyd (1996-Big Eight) and Larry Eustachy (2000, 2001- Big 12) as coach of the year award winners.
Also, Iowa State’s Royce White was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year.
White is the only player in the nation to lead his team in scoring (12.9), rebounding (9.2), assists (5.2), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.0).
White made the Big 12′s first-team all-conference squad, while senior guard Scott Christopherson was third-team.
