GREENSBORO -- North Carolina A&T men's basketball center Thomas Coleman is giving every indication that his senior year will be a banner one.
Coleman (6-9, 240, Louisville, Ky.) averaged 22.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks last week in leading the Aggies to wins over UNC Greensboro and Norfolk State. Today, he was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Week.
It was not a good week to go up against Coleman as a Spartan. Against the UNCG Spartans last Monday, Coleman made two key steals and two game-changing blocks in the final five minutes of the game to secure the victory. Coleman's dunk at the 5:35 mark of the second half gave the Aggies the lead for good. He scored a career-high 20 points and had 14 rebounds.
On Saturday against the Norfolk State Spartans, he topped his Monday performance by setting a new career high of 24 points to go along with his 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. He hit the game-tying free throw to send the game into overtime. In overtime, he scored four points, had two blocks and an assist.
"We told Thomas he had to be more aggressive on the offensive end for us to be successful this year,'' said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves. "He's done everything we've asked, and I hope he can keep it up throughout the season because he is the nicest and humblest person you will ever come across."
More good news came Coleman's way on Monday as the NCAA released its first statistical report of the 2010-11 season. Nationally, Coleman ranks in the top 10 in field goal percentage (9th), blocked shots (9th) and rebounding (10th). He ranks 11th in the country in double-doubles.
The Aggies are 5-3 on the season. They travel to Starkville, Miss., to face Mississippi State on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. (EST). The Aggies return to Corbett Sports Center on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to face Hiwassee College at 7 p.m.
