The Big Ten conference announced its men’s basketball All-Big Ten awards Monday, and Illinois dominated the field.

Guard Dee Brown was named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.

Brown averages 14.2 points per game, second-most for the Illini, and leads the Big Ten in 3-point shooting at 48.2 percent. His pressure defense – which has led to 55 steals this season – also earned recognition.

But head coach Bruce Weber says while Brown deserves the awards, fellow guards Deron Williams and Luther Head could easily have taken them as well.

“Dee just hit it hot at the right time, when people were starting to fill out their ballots,” Weber said. “Dee seems to shine when the light is on him.”

Brown is the third Illinois player in the last five years to be chosen Big Ten Player of the Year; Frank Williams was honored in 2001 and Brian Cook in 2003. He is the third Illini ever to get Defensive Player of the Year, after Bruce Douglas, who earned it in 1985 and 1986, and Flyin’ Illini guard Stephen Bardo, who picked up the award in 1989.

Williams, who leads the Illini in assists per game with 6.6, and Head, who averages the most points per game at 16.1, are happy for their teammate.

“He earned it,” Williams said. “He played great in the Big Ten season and all year, so he deserves it.”

Weber was also honored, being named Coach of the Year by both coaches and media. While he smiles at the mention of the nomination, he also shies away from taking the attention off his players.

“It’s fine,” Weber said. “I just want to win.”

That goal has been achieved so far, with the Illini finishing the regular season 29-1 overall and 15-1 in the Big Ten.

Illinois also won in the All-Big Ten team selections. The backcourt triple threat of Brown, Head and Williams earned first-team nods, while forward James Augustine made the third team and forward Roger Powell Jr. was an honorable mention.

“It shows you that everyone is appreciated for their job and their efforts,” Brown said. “It’s amazing – everyone’s getting love, everyone’s getting to shine.”

Weber said the whole program benefits from the individual awards.

“Those silver basketballs in the office, it’s a nice thing to show off to recruits,” Weber said.

Weber does not deny that the spotlight shines brightly on his top players. But he said they know enough to share the ball and play together, which has led to Illinois’ overwhelming success.

“I think we have superstars, but we have a team,” Weber said.

Illini earn All-District Honors

When the United States Basketball Writers Association announced its 2005 All-District teams, Illinois was well-represented. Illini guards Dee Brown, Luther Head and Deron Williams all made the District 5 team.

Brown was also named the District Player of the Year and head coach Bruce Weber was named District Coach of the Year.

District 5 consists of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Brock breaks hand

Redshirt freshman guard Calvin Brock broke his hand in practice Tuesday.

Brock fractured the fourth metacarpal in his left hand, and will be put in a cast, sports information director Derrick Burson said.

Brock, a first-year student from Simeon High School in Chicago, had previously decided to redshirt the 2004-05 season.