INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jeremy Beckler of Carleton College (Northfield, Minn.) and Morgan Morrison of Smith College (Northampton, Mass.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending February 12.
Beckler, a 6-8 senior forward from Lino Lakes, Minn., helped lead Carleton (receiving votes, D3hoops.com) to two victories and its first outright regular-season conference title since the 1965-66 season. On Wednesday against Saint John’s, Beckler scored 31 points (11-of-21 FG, 9-of-11 FT), grabbed five rebounds, dished out a pair of assists, and recorded a block and steal in the Knights’ 77-72 victory. He scored 20 in the first half as Carleton overcame a 16-point deficit. Then on Saturday against Macalester, Beckler finished with 29 points (9-of-21 FG, 4-of-4 FT, 7-of 11 3FG), including seven of his team’s final nine, and six rebounds in a tight 74-70 win. Over the two games, Beckler averaged 30.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 47.6 percent (20-of-42) from the field, 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the foul line and 50.0 percent (7-of-14) from three-point range. For his efforts, Beckler, who is currently ninth in NCAA Division III in points (508), was also named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Association (MIAC) Athlete of the Week.
Morrison, a 6-0 senior forward from Detroit, Mich., averaged a double-double as No. 5 Smith (D3hoops.com, WBCA) defeated both of its opponents last week. On Wednesday, Morrison scored 20 points (9-of-13 FG, 2-of-2 FT), collected seven rebounds and added a block in a 74-56 win at Springfield. On Saturday, against then-No. 14 (D3hoops.com) Babson, she had 28 points (9-of-16 FG, 10-of-14 FT), including five in the final three minutes, 15 rebounds and a steal in the Pioneers’ 65-61 victory. For the week, Morrison averaged 24.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 62.0 percent (18-of-29) from the field and 75.0 percent (12-of-16) from the foul line. For her efforts, Morrison, the conference leader in scoring (17.9) and rebounding (9.0), was also selected the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Athlete of the Week for the sixth time this season.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the eighth season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.