MAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week
Xavier Castaneda, Akron, Guard              
Senior, Chicago, Ill.        
Xavier Castaneda led the Akron to a pair of wins and sole possession of first place in the regular season standings as the Zips defeated Buffalo on the road (81-64) and rival Kent State at home (67-55). Castaneda averaged 28 points per game on 61.5 percent shooting from the floor (16-of-26) , including an impressive 70.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc (12-of-17) and 80.0 percent from the charity stripe (12-of-15). He added six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot. Castaneda scored 56 total points for the week.  He opened the week with 32-points, his third 32-point effort in four games. Castaneda buried 10-of- 12 shots from the field, including a 7-of-8 performance from downtown and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. He grabbed three boards with an assist and a block. In the Wagon Wheel showdown, the Chicago native, registered 24 points to pace the Zips over their rival Kent State. He shot 6-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-9 from long distance. He sank 7-of-9 bonus buckets with three rebounds and a steal.

 

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