Men's Basketball News Releases
LaDew, Tierney honored on all-IIAC first team; Handke named to second unit
MOUNT VERNON - The 2008-09 record-setting Cornell Rams placed three players on the All-Iowa Conference Men's Basketball Teams and landed the IIAC Coach of the Year in Mike DeGeorge.
Senior guards Griffin LaDew (Pewaukee, Wis./Waukesha Catholic Memorial) and Michael Tierney (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) were named to the eight-man first team. Junior center Chris Handke (Bellevue/Bellevue) was honored on the second team.
Buena Vista senior guard Andre Wagner was voted the IIAC's Most Valuable Player.
DeGeorge has guided the Rams (21-6) to a historical season, claiming the program's first ever IIAC Tournament title and earning a berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Cornell, making its first national tournament appearance since 1994, plays fourth-ranked UW-Stevens Point in a first-round game at 6 p.m. Friday, March 6 in St. Paul, Minn.
The Rams established a school record for wins in a season, topping the 1960-61 squad that won 18 games. Cornell placed second in the IIAC regular-season race with a 12-4 mark, its best finish since joining the league in 1997-98. The No. 2 seed Rams knocked off No. 4 seed Wartburg, 58-56, in the IIAC Tournament championship game Feb. 28 in Mount Vernon. It is Cornell's second conference team championship - in any sport - in 11 years as a member in the IIAC.
DeGeorge, in his fifth season at the helm, directed a dramatic turnaround which saw the program struggle to a 3-22 campaign only three years ago. In conference play, the Rams led the IIAC in scoring defense (60.2 ppg), field goal percentage defense (38.9) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (29.8). Cornell was second in scoring offense (68.2 ppg), scoring margin (+8.1), blocked shots (4.06 bpg), field goal percentage (47.3) and turnover margin (+1.62).
LaDew garnered all-league accolades for the third consecutive year. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard was also a first team pick in 2008 and a second team choice in 2007. LaDew leads the Rams in scoring (14.3 ppg), steals (1.52 spg), 3-point goals made (57), 3-point percentage (38.5) and free throw percentage (87.1). He leads the IIAC in free throw percentage, hitting 81 of 93 attempts from the line.
LaDew holds Cornell career records for points (1,544), 3-point goals made (235) and free throw percentage (88.0). He has started 98 of 103 games in four seasons with the Rams. LaDew was twice this season named IIAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Tierney, a second team selection in 2008, has enjoyed a dynamic senior season. The 5-10 point guard is averaging 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Tierney ranks third in the league in assists and assists/turnover ratio (0.99). He is shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 77.8 from the foul line.
Tierney totaled a team-high 41 points in Cornell's two postseason wins, including a 24-point effort in the IIAC championship game. He is averaging 17.5 points over his last seven games.
Handke, a first-time all-IIAC honoree, has stepped up his game as one of the most improved players in the league. The 6-11 Handke leads the team in rebounds (6.2 rpg), blocked shots (1.5 bpg) and field goal percentage (57.7). He averages 9.8 points per game.
Handke owns the school record for blocked shots in a season, currently with 42. He also helped the Rams set a single-season team mark for blocks with 98.
