RUSTON – Louisiana Tech MBB head coach Eric Konkol was named the Louisiana Coach of the Year on Tuesday by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
 
Also earning accolades by the LSWA was senior DaQuan Bracey who was one of five players selected First Team All-Louisiana.
 
In the shortened season, Konkol helped lead LA Tech to a 22-8 overall record for the 2019-20 season, the most victories of any Conference USA team and of any Louisiana Division I team.  The Bulldogs also finished with a 13-5 league record, finishing in a tie for second place.
 
The 'Dogs, who had the highest NET ranking and highest KenPom ranking of any C-USA squad, had several marquee wins.  The biggest one in non-conference came against Mississippi State in Starkville as the 74-67 victory ended their SEC-leading 26-game non-conference winning streak. 
 
The biggest one in league play came at North Texas, winning 73-71 to hand the C-USA regular season champions their only conference home loss.
 
LA Tech finished with seven road wins to go along with its 15-1 home record.  They were one of only eight teams in the country to rank in the top 40 in FG percentage and FG percentage defense.   
 
Konkol, who earned career win No. 100 this season, becomes the fifth head coach in program history and the first since 2010 to earn LSWA Coach of the Year honors. 
 
Bracey was one of only two Bulldogs to start all 30 games this season.  The point guard led the team in minutes played, scoring and assists for a second straight year.
 
He ended up averaging 12.9 points per game, scoring in double figures 25 times while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 44.5 percent from beyond the arc, a mark that ranked second in C-USA and 19th in the country.
 
The Baltimore, Maryland native hit two game-winning shots along the way, nailing a three-pointer from the top of the arc to down Old Dominion and converting a driving layup to down UNT. 
 
He finished his four-year career with 1,477 points and 508 assists, becoming only the third Bulldog in program history with 1,400+ career points and 500+ career assists.
 
Bracey, who also earned First Team All-Conference USA and First Team NABC All-District honors, contributed 88 assists and 34 steals on the year as well. 
 
He was joined on the first team by Cedric Harris (Centenary), Sha'Markus Kennedy (McNeese State), Skylar Mays (LSU) and Bryson Robinson (New Orleans). 
 
It marks the 23rd consecutive year at least one Bulldog has earned All-Louisiana accolades.  Bracey was a second team selection a season ago.  
 
For all the latest in Bulldog Basketball, follow them on Twitter (@LATechHoops), Instagram (@LATechHoops) and Facebook (LATechMBB) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.
 
FIRST TEAM
DaQuan Bracey, Louisiana Tech
Cedric Harris, Centenary
Sha'Markus Kennedy, McNeese State
Skylar Mays, LSU
Bryson Robinson, New Orleans
 
SECOND TEAM
Malik Amos, Dillard
Michael Ertel, ULM
Jalen Johnson, Louisiana-Lafayette
William Loyd, Xavier
Trendon Watford, LSU
 
THIRD TEAM
Kae'Ron Baker, Louisiana College
Chudler Bile, Northwestern State
Myles Burns, Loyola
Javonte Smart, LSU
Christion Thompson, Tulane
 
HONORABLE MENTION
Taquan Knight, LSU Shreveport
Ivy Smith, Jr., Grambling
Mylik Wilson, Louisiana-Lafayette
 
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Skylar Mays, LSU
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Jalen Johnson, Louisiana-Lafayette
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Trendon Watford, LSU
COACH OF THE YEAR - Eric Konkol, Louisiana Tech