Luke Nevill Named MWC Player Of The Week

 Nov. 24, 2008

DENVER, Colo. - University of Utah senior center Luke Nevill has been named the Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week, announced the league office Monday. Among his accomplishments this week, Nevill was named the MVP of the Glenn Wilkes Classic following Utah's 3-0 performance in the tournament.

"Luke is competing harder and he's taking coaching very well," said Utah head coach Jim Boylen at his weekly press conference. "He's been very coachable and has embraced his teammates more this year. He has stepped outside of himself and has played more for his team and his teammates than he did last year. He has just recommitted to playing for his teammates, while trying to learn and grow. He's let me coach him more this year and I'm proud of him for doing that."

Nevill began the week with a double-double in Utah's 79-60 home victory over Green Bay, scoring 20 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He also got it done on the defensive end, blocking three shots. In the Utes' next action, Nevill posted his second double-double of the week and his third in as many games, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in Utah's 83-72 neutral-court victory against Ole Miss of the Southeastern Conference. He also added three assists in the contest.

Utah wrapped up the week by shutting down Morgan State, 66-37, completing a three-game Glenn Wilkes Classic sweep and being named the tournament champions. In that victory, Nevill led the Utes with 16 points and grabbed six rebounds, while recording three more blocks.

Nevill, named a Preseason All-MWC selection and a second-team All-MWC choice last year, is leading the conference in total rebounding (11.0 rpg), offensive rebounds (4.5 per game), defensive rebounds (6.5 per game) and blocked shots (2.25 bpg). He is also ranked third in scoring (18.5 ppg) and his field goal percentage (.644) is ranked ninth.