CORVALLIS, Ore. – Sophomore forward and senior point guard will share the Ralph Miller Award as the 2005-06 Oregon State men’s basketball team’s co-Most Valuable Players, head coach announced today.
Cuic (Rijeka, Croatia) emerged as OSU’s go-to player in 2005-06 and averaged a team-high 13.5 points per game. He shot 49.3% from three-point range, which led the Pac-10 and ranked second in school single-season history. In Pac-10 play, he averaged 15.1 points (seventh in the conference), up from 6.3 ppg as a freshman.
Hurd (Houston, Texas) earned his MVP honors despite missing half the season due to a groin injury. While he had modest averages of 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists, it was in Hurd’s absence that his value was proven. OSU went 4-11 after his injury and shot 41.5% from the field and scored 62.8 points per game. With Hurd in the lineup, the Beavers were shooting 46.1% and averaged 68.8 points per game. OSU’s defense also suffered without him on the court.
Hurd, a three-time Pac-10 All-Academic honoree, also earned the Ed Lewis Award for leadership for the second straight year. OSU’s other award-winners are as follows:
Slats Gill Award (awarded to the player who most exemplifies what Slats demanded of himself and his players, such as pride): Junior forward (Portland, Ore./City Christian HS) missed much of the season due to a broken right foot, but continued to exert a positive influence on the team. A walk-on who was expected to play a bigger role this season, he finally got his chance at the Pac-10 Tournament and filled in admirably after OSU lost other frontcourt players to injury.
Jim Anderson Award (awarded to the most improved player): Sophomore forward (Los Angeles, Calif.) was forced to wait for his turn as a freshman, as he was stuck behind upperclassmen and averaged just 3.9 points in 9.8 minutes a game. He blossomed as a sophomore, averaging 9.2 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds, which ranked fourth in the Pac-10.
Paul Valenti Award (awarded to the player who exhibits the greatest desire and determination): Junior center (Santa Rosa, Calif.) played in all but one game in 2005-06 despite suffering through various ailments, including injuries to his right knee, both shoulders and left forearm. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds and ranked eighth in the Pac-10 with 1.0 blocks. He played his best at the end of the season when others were hurt, leading the Beavers to wins over Oregon and Arizona State.
The 2005-06 Beavers finished 13-18 overall and tied for eighth in the Pac-10 at 5-13. Multiple injuries helped contribute to OSU’s problems. Positive moments include a win over UNLV after trailing by 22 points, victories over future NCAA teams California and Arizona, and season-ending wins over Oregon (minus two starters) and Arizona State in the first round of the Pac-10 Tournament (without three starters).
