April 9, 2002
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. -- The Fighting Illini 2001-02 season officially came
to a close tonight with the 80th annual Kiwanis Men's Basketball
Banquet, held at the Round Barn Banquet Center. For the nearly 600 in
attendance it was a time to celebrate the achievements of the 2002
squad, which included a run to another Big Ten championship and a
trip to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. Illinois won 26
games on the year, the third-most in school history, and was ranked
in the Top 25 for the entire season.
For the second year in a row, Frank Williams earned the
team's Most Valuable Player Award by vote of his teammates. Williams
becomes the second consecutive back-to-back winner of MVP honors
following teammate Cory Bradford in 1999 and 2000.
Also for the second consecutive season, junior Brian Cook won
the Ralf Woods Free Throw Award for having the highest free-throw
percentage in Big Ten games. Cook was 46-of-50 (.920) from the line
in conference games.
Senior Cory Bradford was named the Kenny Battle Most
Inspirational Player. Also voted on by the Illini team, Bradford
earned the respect of his teammates having started all 134 games of
his collegiate career for a UI and Big Ten record.
The Matto Award, given in honor of former Illini guard Matt
Heldman who died in a car accident, was given to senior Lucas
Johnson. The award signifies all-around hustle and enthusiasm on the
floor.
