MAC Announces YP.com Men's Basketball Players of the Week
YP.com MAC East Division Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Chris Ortiz, Kent State
Sr., Forward, Brooklyn, N.Y. (South Kent Prep. [Conn.])
Chris Ortiz opened his senior season with one of his best performances in a Kent State uniform, totaling 12 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for his second career double-double in a win over Youngstown State. Ortiz's 16 boards are tied for the 13th-most in the country during the opening weekend of the 2015-16 college basketball season. The 6'8" forward played a key role in a dominant performance by the Golden Flashes' frontcourt, as they held a 53-34 rebounding advantage and outscored the Penguins in the paint, 38-20.
YP.com MAC West Division Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Rayshawn Simmons, Central Michigan
Sr., Guard, St. Louis, Mo. (Moberly Area C.C.)
Senior guard Rayshawn Simmons had his best game as a Chippewa in Central Michigan's season opener on Friday, scoring a career-high 30 points in leading his team to an 89-83 win over Jacksonville State. In 40 minutes of court time running the point, Simmons incurred just one turnover while notching four rebounds and three assists in addition to his offensive outpouring. Simmons shot 53% (8-of-15) from the field, including 50% from three-point range, and was 12-of-15 from the free throw line. Last year, in CMU's run to a MAC title, other than Chris Fowler's conference-leading 42 points versus Bowling Green, no player reach the 30-point barrier in 32 games. Simmons far surpassed his previous career high of 20 points.
