Bizot, Four Patriots Receive ASC Basketball Honors
March 4, 2008

RICHARDSON, Texas -- The University of Texas at Tyler head men's basketball coach Kenny Bizot has been named East Division Coach of the Year by the American Southwest Conference and four of Bizot’s players received Eastern Division honors in the postseason awards, which were voted on by the league’s 15 head coaches.

Bizot guided the Patriots to a 14-12 overall finish in his first year as a head coach, including a 13-7 record in the ASC East, which was good enough to finish in second place.

The 14 wins overall are the most in program history and the 13 conference wins ties the most ASC wins in program history. In addition, Bizot also led the Patriots to the ASC Championship tournament in their first year of post-season eligibility.

“This award is a great honor,” said Bizot, “But it’s indicative of the kind of team and people we had in our program this season. We had good players and good people and it turned out to be a great season for us.”

Seniors Brandon Weasby (Houston, Texas), Patrick Branche (Houston, Texas), and junior Anthony Reese (Longview, Texas) were named to the ASC All-East Division Second Team.

Weasby averaged 13.5 points per game on the season and finished the year with an 89.3 free throw percentage and a 90.4 career free throw percentage. Weasby will end his career with the Patriots as UT Tyler’s all-time points leader with 1,589 career points.

Branche finished his final campaign averaging 11.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Branche ends his collegiate career as the Patriots’ second all-time leading scorer with 904 points and as the Patriots’ all-time leading rebounder with 513 career rebounds.

Reese finished the 2007-2008 season averaging 11.9 points and leading the ASC in steals with 2.31 a game. Reese has also been named to the East Division All-Defensive team.

Joining Reese on the All-Defensive team is senior Jeff Cotton (Allen, Texas). Cotton averaged 3.7 rebounds, 1.16 steals and 0.32 blocks per game on the season.

The Patriots, who will graduate eight seniors, will look to improve on their second place finish next season when the right to host the ASC Tournament goes to the East Division Champion.

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