April 11, 2005
Bloomington, Ill. -
Despite a combined 35-54 record over their first three seasons, the Illinois State senior captains of Gregg Alexander, Vince Greene and Trey Guidry put the past behind them and guided the Redbirds to their 30th winning season in 35 years in 2004-05. Because they embodied the characteristics of Redbird basketball, head coach Porter Moser presented each of them with the Redbird Award to conclude the team's annual banquet at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Monday night.
" These three seniors have had some great highlights in this program, but their legacy, that I hope they take with them the rest of their lives, is righting the ship of this program," Moser said. "These young men were great captains this year. They were great captains, because they truly played for the name on the front of their jerseys, not the one on the back."
First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and the league's newcomer of the year, Lorenzo Gordon, was presented with the Doug Collins Coaches Award by assistant coach Daniyal Robinson. Gordon led the Redbirds in scoring and in rebounding with 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Sophomore Greg Dilligard was awarded the Mr. Defense Award by assistant coach Brian Barone. Dilligard led the team with 38 blocked shots and ranked second on the team in steals with 33. His most dynamic performance took place at Loyola-Chicago when he registered 12 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocked shots and three steals en route to being named the conference's player of the week.
After honoring junior Neil Plank for his 2005 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America achievement, assistant coach Chris Jans presented freshman Ronnie Carlwell with the Most Improved Award. Carlwell, who missed nearly all of the 2003-04 season with stress fractures in both legs, averaged 1.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, while ranking second on the team in blocked shots with 19.
