This season NIU stressed that teamwork, not individuality would win games.

Forward Marcus Smallwood and guard Perry Smith shared the honor of team MVP at Monday night’s award banquet at the Convocation Center in the upper bowl.

“Our season turned around when everyone figured out their roles,” freshman point guard Anthony Maestranzi said. “When different guys can step up every night that helps. Marcus and Perry were our most consistent scorers, but even guys off the bench stepped up at times.”

Smallwood, who was named All-MAC First Team two weeks ago, not only took home the MVP with Smith, but also the Slam Dunk Award and the Best Rebounder Award.

“The MVP kind of surprised me,” Smallwood said. “Even though I was All-MAC First Team, I think I was oblivious to it. It’s just a good compliment to see that your teammates recognize the hard work.”

Senior Mike Morrison was the recipient of the Most Heart Award after coming back a month after knee surgery.

The Best Defender honor went to senior Jay Bates. The 6-foot senior point guard ave aged 1.68 steals a game to barely nudge out Smith who also won the Free-Throw Award.

The players and coaches voted on the recipients of the MVP, Most Heart and Best Defender Awards.

“All the awards were definitely well-deserved,” Maestranzi said. “The biggest award was Mike Morrison getting the Heart Award; he came back from a knee injury and within a month he was taking charges and diving for balls.”