Beane named to Henson Award watch list

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By Austin Miller, @AMiller_DE

Senior guard Anthony Beane has been added to the mid-season watch list for the Lou Henson Award.

The award, named after former Illinois and New Mexico State coach Lou Henson, is given to the nation’s top mid-major player.

Beane ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring, with 21 points per game and ninth in field goal percentage at 48 percent, the best of his career. His 46.2 3-point shooting and 3.6 rebounds per game are also career-highs.

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Beane was named Missouri Valley Co-Player of the Week on Monday, after 58 combined points in wins against Loyola on Dec. 30 and Northern Iowa on Jan. 2. This marks the fifth time he’s won the honor, and his first this season.

His dunk over Bradley freshman forward Callum Barker on Wednesday in a 65-44 win earned the No. 8 spot in Sportscenter’s top plays of the day.

Behind Beane, who is eighth all-time in scoring for SIU, the Salukis (14-2, 3-0 MVC) are off to the first 6-0 start on the road in program history. Their undefeated conference record is the first 3-0 start since 2007, which culminated in a Sweet 16 appearance. 

Three other MVC players were added to the list: Evansville senior center Egidijus Mockevicius, Northern Iowa senior guard Wes Washpun and Wichita State senior guard Fred VanVleet.

The winner of the award will be announced April 1 in Houston, which hosts the 2016 Final Four.

Austin Miller can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AMiller_DE.

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