Trey Burke Wins Wooden Award
DETROIT (97.1 The Ticket) On the cusp of facing Syracuse in the Final Four -- a spot many thought Michigan could never reach -- the team got another big boost Friday.
Sophomore guard Trey Burke was named the winner of the Wooden Award Friday.
This comes on the heels of Burke winning the Associated Press Basketball National Player of the Year and Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year awards the day before.
"The whole year he has been just as calm and cool as if he were a fifth-year redshirt senior guard," Michigan coach John Beilein said of Burke, according to ESPN. "He's [played] with three to five freshmen all year long. Here he is, the cagey, veteran sophomore.
"Those young guys look at Trey, they see poise, they see patience. It's worked very well."
Burke was just the second Wolverine in program history to receive the AP award, joining U-M legend Cazzie Russell, who also earned the nation's top honor in 1966. Burke also became the first Wolverine in program history to earn the Cousy award, which has been given annually to the nation's top point guard since 2004.
Burke is also U-M's fifth consensus All-American, having earned first team honors from the John R. Wooden All-America Team, the Associated Press, the NABC, the USBWA, the Lute Olson All-America team, the Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and CBSSports.com.
Burke, the NCAA Tournament South Region Most Outstanding Player, led U-M to the South Region championship and its first Final Four appearance in 20 years after wins over No. 1 seed Kansas in overtime (87-85) and No. 3 seed Florida (79-59). Burke scored all 23 of his points against Kansas in the second half, including eight in the final 1:15 of regulation, capped by a deep three-pointer with four seconds left to force overtime.
The Wolverines currently own an overall record of 30-7, marking the most wins in a season in 20 years.
