Muhammad Jr. Earns Another Award

TIFFIN, Ohio (March 12, 2012) – All eight D-II Independent schools were represented on the 2011-12 All-ICAA Men’s basketball team led by Black Hills State, Oakland City and Washington Adventist's three selections each.

For the second year in a row, Urbana University's Sharif Muhammad Jr. (Brooklyn, NY/South Shore HS) earned Third Team All-ICAA honors.  Muhammad Jr. reached double-digits in 16 of his final 17 games, averaging 17.1 point per game over that span, and he pulled down at least 9 boards in 9 of those final 17 games. He led the Blue Knights in scoring (14.2 ppg), rebounding (6.7 rpg), blocks (23), minutes (31.5 mpg), field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, and he finished 2nd in assists and 3rd in steals.

The Independents' Collegiate Athletics Association, or ICAA, is composed of current NCAA Division II Independent schools. Basketball members are Black Hills State, Central Oklahoma, Central State, Lindenwood, Notre Dame College, Oakland City, Palm Beach Atlantic, Urbana and Washington Adventist.

Brad Soderberg of Lindenwood was named Coach of the Year. He led the Lions to a 28-3 record and the ICAA championships. The squad beat Minot State and Sioux Falls to win the Independent National Tournament. Soderberg is 80-19 in three years at LU.

Player of the Year went to Greg Rice (Sr./Covington, Ky.) of Central State. He averaged 21.5 points, 6.23 rebounds and 1.46 steals a game while shooting 52.5% from the floor and 75.4% from the line. Rice led the Marauders to a record of 19-8 and a second place finish in the ICAA.

Freshman of the Year was Marcquice Taylor (Columbus, Ohio) of Notre Dame College. He averaged 15.32 points, 3.4 assists and 1.12 steals a game while shooting 47.2% from the floor.

2011-12 ICAA MEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS
Coach of the Year – Brad Soderberg – Lindenwood
Player of the Year – Greg Rice – Central State
Freshman of the Year – Marcquice Taylor – Notre Dame College

2011-12 ALL-ICAA MEN’S BASKETBALL
FIRST TEAM
Alex Bazzell G Lindenwood Jr. St. Charles, Missouri
Marcus Coleman G/F Washington Adventist Sr. Flint, Michigan
Greg Rice G Central State Sr. Covington, Kentucky
Kramer Soderberg G Lindenwood Sr. St. Charles, Missouri
Mitch Stahl G Oakland City Jr. Spencer, Indiana
SECOND TEAM
Brent Friday G Central Oklahoma Sr. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rob Johnson F Black Hills State Sr. Dayton, Wyoming
Jamie Newton G Washington Adventist Sr. Laurel, Maryland
Marcquice Taylor G Notre Dame College Fr. Columbus, Ohio
Dante Valentine G Palm Beach Atlantic Jr. Atlanta, Georgia
THIRD TEAM
Phil Biggs C Notre Dame College Sr. Byesville, Ohio
Gerald Campbell F Central State Sr. Gary, Indiana
Maurice Fuller G Oakland City Fr. Westfield, Indiana
Sharif Muhammad G/F Urbana Sr. Brooklyn, New York
Brandon Washington F Washington Adventist Sr. Laurel, Maryland

All-Freshman
Brody Brisk G Black Hills State Fr. Rapid City, South Dakota
Maurice Fuller G Oakland City Fr. Westfield, Indiana
Marcus Hardy F Palm Beach Atlantic Fr. Detroit, Michigan
Joey Mitchell G Black Hills State Fr. Tulare, South Dakota
Marcquice Taylor G Notre Dame College Fr. Columbus, Ohio