By Catherine Laroche
Sophomore basketball sensation Angel McCoughtry can add another achievement to her growing resume.
The University of Louisville women’s basketball hoopster was named Conference Player of the Year at the Big East Awards Banquet in Hartford, Conn. over the weekend.
Leading the league in average scoring with 22.4 points per game, rebounding with 10.9 and steals per game with 3.63, many fans expected that she would receive the award almost automatically, but McCoughtry was a surprised to hear her name called.
“When they called my name, it was just amazing,” McCoughtry said. “I don’t even know what to say. I was so nervous. It’s a great feeling. I’m just glad that they picked me for the award. I was going against a lot of great competition.”
McCoughtry has been ranked nationally in scoring and rebounding throughout the year. She’s also ranked first in total double-doubles with 18, while ranking fourth in the nation in scoring and steals.
Earlier in the season, McCoughtry scored 41 points against Eastern Illinois University, which set the program’s single-game scoring record while later contributing 38 points against Butler University.
McCoughtry became the second player in Big East history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding.
For just the fourth time in 25 years, a sophomore has earned the Conference Player of the Year award. The three-time Big East Player of the Week is also a candidate for the Naismith and Wooden awards, the top honors in all of women’s basketball.
