University of Northern Iowa freshman Tywhon Pickford has been named the Missouri Valley Conference's men's basketball newcomer of the week.
Pickford (Minneapolis, Minn./Maple Grove HS) averaged 12.7 points and 12.7 rebounds as UNI took second place at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Pickford scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 61-58 win over SMU in the opening round.
Pickford led the Panthers with 18 points and 18 rebounds in a 64-60 triumph over North Carolina State in the semifinals. The 18 rebounds are the most by a Panthers since David Gruber tallied an 18-rebound effort against Montana on Nov.