PITT 90, MARQUETTE 75
LOUISVILLE 95, SETON HALL 78
*****BIG EAST POSTSEASON AWARDS*****
The Big East will hand out its postseason awards next Tuesday at its annual banquet in New York, but we’re giving our picks today.
Player of the Year: DeJuan Blair, Pitt
The 6-foot-9, 260-pound Blair manhandled Hasheem Thabeet in their first meeting at UConn and if he does it again on Saturday in the finale for both teams he should lock it up. Should be a Top 10 or 15 pick if he elects to enter the NBA Draft.
Coach of the Year: Keno Davis, Providence
First-year coach has Friars on the brink of their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2004. A win tonight at Villanova and/or a mini-run in the Big East Tournament should make Providence the eighth conference team in the Big Dance.
Rookie of the Year: Samardo Samuels, Louisville
Former St. Benedict’s big man is averaging 12 points and 4.8 rebounds for a Cardinals team that may win the Big East regular season title. This category is loaded, including Mike Rosario of Rutgers, New York native Devin Ebanks of West Virginia, Yancy Gates of Cincinnati and Greg Monroe of Georgetown.
Defensive Player of the Year: Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
Is there really any question here? A tremendous defensive force who alters, changes and blocks a ton of shots, he should be headed for a huge payday come June 25.
Most Improved Player: Dante Cunningham, Villanova
Villanova’s main threat down low complements a tremendous and improving set of guards in Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes and Scottie Reynolds. May have earned himself a shot at an NBA job with his tremendous play this year, including a much improved mid-range jumper.
Comeback Player of the Year: Sharaud Curry, Providence
It’s no coincidence that after Curry returned from a broken foot, the Friars are now on the brink of the Big Dance.
First-Team All-League:
Jeff Adrien (UConn)
DeJuan Blair (Pitt)
DaSean Butler (West Virginia)
Levance Fields (Pitt)
Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)
Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)
Jeremy Hazell (Seton Hall)
Jerel McNeal (Marquette)
Hasheem Thabeet (UConn)
Terrence Williams (Louisville)
Sam Young (Pitt)
All-Rookie Team:
Devin Ebanks (West Virginia)
Greg Echenique (Rutgers)
Yancy Gates (Cincinnati)
Greg Monroe (Georgetown)
Mike Rosario (Rutgers)
Samardo Samuels (Louisville)
shu07grad / March 5, 2009
Hey Adam, the Big East standings seem to be a mess between the 10-13 seeds right now. Georgetown, St. Johns, and Seton Hall all have 6 wins and Notre Dame has 7 wins. Notre Dame plays St. John’s which will definitely have an impact on seeding. Say St. John’s wins and gets to 7 wins along with Notre Dame and Georgetown (they finish with Depaul). Would St. John’s get the 10 seed because they swept ND and beat Georgetown? It seems like some tiebreakers will be needed for seeding, do you know the Big East tiebreakers? Thanks.
Mike
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louisvillemichael / March 5, 2009
THREE guys from pitt and no terrence williams? seriously? hazell over williams?
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Adam Zagoria / March 5, 2009
My bad for leaving off T-Will initially. I just added him. The Big East sometimes picks 10 or 11 guys on the first team.
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