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Vanderbilt’s Stallings, Freije Earn Basketball Accolades from Tennessee Sports Writers’ Association 5/12/2004
Vanderbilt’s Stallings, Freije Earn Basketball Accolades from Tennessee Sports Writers’ Association NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt men’s basketball Head Coach Kevin Stallings was named Coach of the Year while senior Matt Freije earned Player of the Year honors from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association, the organization announced Wednesday, May 12. Stallings helped orchestrate the Commodores’ standout 2004 campaign that was highlighted by a run to the regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt tied for the third most wins in school history in compiling a 23-10 record, while setting new marks with 12 consecutive wins to start the season and 15 home victories. The Commodores posted wins over five nationally ranked teams, including the Southeastern Conference’s overall champion Mississippi State, and Eastern Division-winner Kentucky. Stallings, who registered his 200th career win during the 2004 season, owns a 208-132 career record in 11 seasons as a head coach. He is 85-69 in five campaigns at Vanderbilt. Freije was a unanimous 2004 First Team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches and finished second in scoring with 18.4 points a game. The 6-10, 249-pound forward from Overland Park, Kan., was named one of 20 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award and the John R. Wooden Award. He garnered First Team All-Senior CLASS accolades as one of the top seniors in the nation and was tabbed Third Team All-America by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Twice named the SEC’s Player of the Week in 2004, Freije compiled 30 or more points four times and 20 or more points 14 times while finishing his career as Vanderbilt’s all-time leading scorer (1,891 points). He averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds during his career. |
