Simons earns MAC West Division Co-Player of the Week honors
Central Michigan senior forward John Simons has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week.
Simons combined for 36 points and 17 rebounds in victories over Northern Illinois and Toledo. He hit 56 percent of his shots from the floor, 57 percent from 3-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line. His 17 and 19-point performances last week are his two best scoring performances in MAC play this season.
Toledo senior center Nathan Boothe was also named MAC West Co-Player of the Week.
He moved into 13th all-time on CMU's scoring record, passing NBA-player and former center Chris Kaman. Simons has 1,252 career points.
Simons said he's shooting with more confidence than he was earlier in the season.
“This is good for our team (to heat up) heading into March,” Simons said Saturday. “It’s coming down to crunch time.”
Simons has averaged of 10.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest in 29 games this season after landing a spot on the First Team All-MAC Preseason Poll. He is the only Chippewa to eclipse 1,000 minutes so far this season.
He is the Chippewas' all-time leader in 3-pointers made, passing former guard Robbie Harman this season. Simons has made 251 career 3-point shots.
The Chippewas (16-13, 9-7 MAC) travel to Ball State to battle the Cardinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday. CMU returns home to face rival Western Michigan at 7 p.m. Friday. The team is in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MAC one week before the MAC Tournament begins.
