Coble, Moore earn All-Big Ten honors

EVANSTON, Ill. - Junior forward Kevin Coble (Scottsdale, Ariz./Scottsdale Christian Academy) was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the Big Ten men's basketball coaches and media, while senior guard Craig Moore (Doylestown, Pa./Lawrenceville (N.J.) Prep) was a third-team pick of both groups, the league office announced Monday.

Both Coble and Moore were honorable mention All-Big Ten picks a year ago.

It is the first time that Northwestern has had two players each named at least third-team All-Big Ten members in the same season since 1966 when Jim Pitts and Jim Burns were both selected to the second team.

Coble ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring (15.3 ppg), seventh in steals (1.41 pg), 10th in 3-point field goal percentage (.384) and 19th in rebounding (4.7 pg). He has scored at least 20 points seven times this season and is on pace to become the first player in school history to lead the team in both scoring and rebounding in each of his first three seasons.

Moore ranks seventh in the league in scoring (14.4 ppg), first in 3-pointers per game (3.55), fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.419) and 10th in steals (1.34 pg). His 103 3-pointers this season are a school record, surpassing his previous mark of 97 set last year. Moore knocked down a Northwestern-record nine 3-pointers--including eight in the first half--in NU's victory at Brown Nov. 22.

Both players own the highest scoring game by a Big Ten player in 2008-09. Moore tallied 31 points on Nov. 22 at Brown and Coble matched the total at No. 7 Michigan State on Jan. 21. Each individual was named Big Ten Player of the Week following their respective effort.

In addition, senior Patrick Houlihan was recognized as the school's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

Northwestern (17-12, 8-10 Big Ten) is the No. 9 seed for this week's 2009 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament and opens action against eighth-seeded Minnesota. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. Central time at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.