Despite a second straight dominating season in the Skyline Conference, Farmingdale State senior center A.J. Matthews did not repeat as conference player of the year Thursday.
Rival SUNY-Old Westbury junior forward Tyrik Tucker, the best player on the conference's regular season champ, was named player of the year instead.
The 6-foot-6 Tucker averaged 20.6 points and 8.5 rebounds this season.
The 7-foot Matthews was named to the Skyline Conference First-Team after leading the conference in scoring (22 ppg), rebounding (14.1) and blocked shots (2.8).
Matthews has also been scouted by at least three NBA teams.
Tucker and Matthws will face off in the Skyline Conference semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m. at Old Westbury.
Editor's note: Jason Molinet is an adjunct professor at Farmingdale State College.
