Qvale named 2010-11 Grizzly basketball MVP
4/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 24, 2011
University of Montana senior center Brian Qvale was the recipient of the 2010-11 C.R. Dragstedt (MVP) Award at the recent annual team dinner at the Depot Restaurant.
For the second straight year, guard Will Cherry was given the John Eaheart Award (Outstanding Defensive Player).
The Naseby Rhinehart Award, given annually to the Grizzlies' "Most Inspirational Player," was presented to forward Art Steward.
Guard Jordan Wood received the Allan Nielsen Award, which goes to the UM player who "best represents Grizzly basketball."
Qvale, a 6-11, 260-pounder from Williston, N.D., was named to the www.collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Defensive All-American team and the 10-team All-District VIII team by the United States Basketball Writers Association. He was also tabbed the Big Sky Conference's "Defensive Player of the Year" and was a unanimous all-league selection. He was named the league's "Player of the Week" four times this season.
A four-year letterman, Qvale led the 21-11 Grizzlies in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots this past season, averaging 14.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. He led the league in rebounding and blocked shots, and was fifth in scoring.
Qvale was second in the nation in field goal percentage (62.6%), 13th in blocked shots per game, and 54th in rebounds per game. His 95 blocked shots this past season are a league record, and he's the all-time career shot blocker in conference history, with 247 rejections.
A 6-1 sophomore from Oakland, Calif., Cherry was a first team all-conference pick. He led the Big Sky in steals with 2.6 per game, which ranked him ninth in the NCAA. His 79 steals this past season are the 18th most in conference single-season history and the second most in a year by a Griz player. Cherry was UM's second leading scorer, averaging 14.1 points a game.
Steward, a 6-4 junior from Casper, Wyo., played in all 32 games this season and started in the last 18 in a row. He was the Grizzlies fourth leading scorer 8.6 ppg). He was ranked sixth in the Big Sky in field goal percentage (49.5%, 99-0f-200).
Wood is 6-3 junior from Cedar City, Utah, and also played in all 32 games this season and had 16 starts. He was UM's seventh leading scorer and had a career-high 14 points in UM's College Basketball Invitational tournament game against Duquesne.
Coach Wayne Tinkle's Grizzlies went 21-11 overall this past season and 12-4 in the Big Sky. It is the second straight 20-win season for Montana, which went 22-10 last year.
