Hodzic, A-Sun player of the year

Bison center Adnan Hodzic was named the Atlantic Sun Conference’s player of the year for the 2009-2010 season.

Hodzic, a junior, ended the regular season averaging 22.4 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game.  His 22.4 points per is good enough for sixth in the nation among NCAA schools.  The Sarajevo, Bosnia, native has scored 20 plus points in 11 straight games, and has scored 10 or more in 56 consecutive.  That 56-game streak is best in the nation as well.

Hodzic’s last two games definitely did not hurt his chances in being named player of the year.  In the last two games the center averaged 30.85 points and 18.5 rebounds per game.  Both games were wins for the Bisons.

“I don’t think it was those performances that pushed him over the top,” Head Coach Scott Sanderson said. “It all played out really well, [Adnan] played well all year long.  He was really solid and did not have very many bad games.  Those last two games, though, definitely did not hurt his chances.”

Hodzic’s 37 point game last Thursday against Mercer was the most scored by any Bison since 2002 when Jeff Dancy scored 38 against TSU.

Lipscomb guard Josh Slater was named to A-Sun First Team as well.  Slater, a junior, averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.  Slater joins Belmont’s Alex Renfroe as the two only players in the last 10 years of the A-sun to average 15 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds over a season’s time.

“I think Adnan and Josh both had years that were warranted to win the award,” said Sanderson.  “I was a little bit afraid that maybe they would cancel each other out and both get votes.”

“This is really rewarding for Adnan, for him winning the award,” Sanderson added, “along with Josh making first team also.”

Coach Sanderson emphasized that it was a total team effort that made that Bison’s successful.

“This is a total team effort.  When those guys win those kinds of awards,” Sanderson said.  “Adnan doesn’t get the ball himself.  We have guards and forwards that do a great job at understanding angles in the low post that allow Adnan the best chance to score.”

The Bisons lost to Kennesaw State in the opening round of the Atlantic Sun tournament.