Nashville, Tenn. - Three members of the Tennessee State University men's basketball team earned honors from the Ohio Valley Conference after a progressive 2010-11 season. It marks the sixth straight season a Tiger has made a post season selection.
The OVC announced that Patrick Miller was named Conference Freshman of the Year and was selected to the All-OVC Newcomer Team. He is joined by teammate, Kenny Moore, on the newcomer team marking the consecutive season a pair from TSU was named to the squad. In addition, Moore was named to the All OVC Second Team with front-court mate, Robert Covington.
Patrick Miller (Chicago, Ill.) ended his rookie season by leading all freshmen in the OVC in scoring and minutes on the floor. He averaged 11.4 ppg to go with 3.0 assists, while playing 34.4 minutes per game. Miller scored in double figures in 20-of-29 games this season, scoring a season-high, 22 points, against Tennessee Tech (01/22/11).
Miller earned OVC Freshman of the Week three times during the year. He was voted after scoring 13 points in his collegiate debut versus Mississippi State, notching 16 points apiece against Fisk and Air force, and most recently, throwing up his career high against Tennessee Tech. To christen the season, he grabbed two of the three awards in back-to-back weeks.
This year, he was known for his efforts in the second half as he was able to hit from the floor in the closing minutes. He scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half against TTU. Earlier this season, he was held scoreless in the first half against Murray State, Middle Tennessee State, Illinois State, and Air Force. He returned after halftime scoring in double figures in each game. Miller becomes the fifth TSU freshman to win the award and first since 2004 (Bruce Price).
Robert Covington (Bellwood, Ill.) receives his second All-OVC selection after being named to the newcomer team last year. Covington finished the regular season leading the Tigers in rebounds (7.6 rpg), field-goal percentage (.497) and three-point shooting (.452). His three-point average leads the OVC and supports his 13.5 ppg which is second on the team.
This season, Covington recorded eight double-doubles while posting 10 in his career. He hauled in a career high 17 boards versus Fisk while scoring 20 points or more on five occasions. In addition, he has scored in double digits in 22 games this season. Covington was named OVC Player of the Week on Dec. 12, 2010 after his season-high 22-point performance against Eastern Kentucky. He adds to last year's freshman accolades after receiving OVC Freshman of the Week twice and two All-America selections.
Kenny Moore (Philadelphia, Pa.) joined the Tigers as a transfer at the beginning of the season finishing as the team's leader in scoring with 14.4 ppg. He closed out the year as the second leading rebounder (6.8 rpg) and ranks seventh in the conference in scoring.
Moore was named OVC Newcomer of the Week three times this year after performances against Morehead State, Memphis and Austin Peay. Against Morehead State, he posted 19 points and 11 rebounds, scoring six of TSU's 13 points in overtime. It was his consecutive double-double performance. In the game versus Memphis, he tied a career-high, 22 points, pouring 19 in the second half. He recorded another career milestone hitting 5-of-6 three-point baskets to finish 7-of-11 overall. In the match-up over Austin Peay, Moore was voted the Adidas OVC Co-Newcomer of the Week after help leading the Tigers scoring a team high, 20 points while grabbing 10 rebounds in the nationally-televised game.
He has five double-doubles on the season scoring in double digits 23 times. He has eclipsed the 20-point mark four times this year. Moore finished the regular season with highs of 25 points versus Eastern Kentucky and 13 rebounds against Fisk.
2010-11 All-OVC Men's Basketball Teams and Award Winners
OVC Player of the Year: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
OVC Freshman of the Year: Patrick Miller, Tennessee State
OVC Coach of the Year: Billy Kennedy, Murray State
All-OVC First-Team
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
TyShwan Edmondson, Austin Peay
Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech
Demonte Harper, Morehead State
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
All-OVC Second-Team
Leon Powell, Southeast Missouri
Isacc Miles, Murray State
B.J. Jenkins, Murray State
Robert Covington, Tennessee State
Kenny Moore, Tennessee State
OVC All-Newcomer Team
TyShwan Edmondson, Austin Peay
Kenny Moore, Tennessee State
Leon Powell, Southeast Missouri
Zac Swansey, Tennessee Tech
Patrick Miller, Tennessee State
