On Wednesday, the North Central Conference released its 2006-07 Academic Men's Basketball Team. Among the ten student-athletes selected, University of Minnesota Duluth junior John Vaudreuil was included on the list, which serves as a token of appreciation for players who excel in the classroom and on the basketball court.

Vaudreuil (pronounced \"VOE-dray\"), who compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.35 as a finance major at UMD, is now a two-time academic honoree as a hoopster (he was also recognized by the conference in the same regard during the 2005-06 season). A native of Bloomington, Minn., Vaudreuil is on pace to set career highs in points per game and rebounding this winter. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward-center is currently averaging 12.8 PPG and 3.8 RPG. Earlier this season, on Dec. 18, Vaudreuil became the first Bulldog to earn the distinction of NCC Player of the Week after averaging 22.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG against three former Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rivals (Minnesota State University-Moorhead on Dec. 12, No. 1 Winona State University on Dec. 15 and the University of Minnesota Crookston on Dec. 16). Vaudreuil, who pitches for the Bulldog baseball team as well, was cited on the first-ever NCC Commissioner's Academic Baseball Honor Roll this past May.

Vaudreuil and the Bulldogs (13-12 overall, 4-6 in the NCC) will host the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Thursday (Jan. 22). Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.