Feb. 21, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF sophomore Isaiah Sykes' chase-down block vs. Marshall on Feb. 8 is nominated for the GEICO Play of the Year, Intersport announced today.
Each week for eight weeks, four incredible college basketball plays will be nominated as the GEICO Play of the Year. Each week's winner will be determined by fan voting through the official Facebook page - Facebook.com/BestofCollegeBasketball.
The eight finalists will compete in a week-long competition to determine the GEICO Play of the Year. The winner will be announced during the GEICO Best of College Basketball special which airs March 25 at 1 p.m. on CBS.
In addition to recognizing the season's top plays, the one-hour CBS special will relive the season's greatest moments, players and traditions. The show reviews the GEICO Best of 2012 Basketball Tour, an interactive fan experience that visits 10 marquee games throughout the basketball season.
After a steal by teammate Dago Pena, Marshall guard Damier Pitts found himself with a clear lane to the hoop and what should have been an easy bucket. But Sykes never gave up on the play and his hustle paid off in a big way. Pitts went for the lay-up and Sykes took off from nearly his own free-throw line and swatted the ball into the stands. Sykes' huge block helped the Knights get the 67-60 win. Sykes' chase-down block is competing against three other plays from week eight, including a game-winning 3-pointer by WVU's Truck Bryant, a monster block by Arkansas' Hunter Mickelson and a put-back dunk by Southeastern Missouri State's Leon Powell.
Fans can even share their vote with their Facebook friends. Week eight voting opened today and ends Monday, Feb. 27, at 11:59 a.m.
Indiana's Christian Watford won week one with his game-winning 3-pointer vs. Kentucky; Purdue's Robbie Hummel won week two with his buzzer-beating tip-dunk vs. IPFW; Oral Roberts' Damen Bell-Holter won week three with his full-court buzzer-beater vs. UA-Little Rock; Lindsey Wilson's Chase Spreen won week four with a three-quarter court buzzer-beater; Louisville's Peyton Siva won week five with his game-winning lay-up vs. Vanderbilt; Syracuse's C.J. Fair won week six with his one-handed slam vs. Pitt; Iowa's Roy Devyn Marble won week seven with his one-handed slam vs. Minnesota.