They could have engraved Sean Banks' name on the trophy a coupleof weeks ago.
In what was a mere formality, the Memphis forward was namedFreshman of the Year in Conference USA Tuesday.
Banks burst on the C-USA scene this season, leading the league'sfreshmen in scoring (18.0) and in rebounding (6.9), while alsoranking among the league's leaders in three-point field goalpercentage (.392) and blocked shots (27).
He has scored 20 or more points 12 times, including each of thelast six outings.
He scored a career-high 29 points against Charlotte on Jan. 17,and nearly matched that at Cincinnati this past Saturday, netting28.
The 6-8 Banks is the only player in Memphis basketball historyto hit at least six three-pointers in a game on four differentoccasions. Over his last six games, Banks is averaging 25.5 pointsper game.
Banks is the second Memphis player to earn Freshman of the Yearhonors in the last three years, joining Dajuan Wagner in 2002.
Cincinnati's Tony Bobbitt was named Sixth Player of the Yearafter averaging 13.3 points and ranking eighth in C-USA in steals(46).
Eddie Basden of Charlotte took home the Defensive Player of theYear. Basden was second in C-USA in steals (80) and second forCharlotte in rebounds.
