By MIKE McCURRY
Villanova junior point guard Jalen Brunson was named Big East Player of the Year, while Xavier’s Chris Mack was anointed Big East Coach of the Year, the league announced on Wednesday.
Brunson, who doubles as the conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, averaged 19.0 points and 4.8 assists on 53 percent shooting, a 41 percent display from beyond the arc, and a 129.5 Offensive Rating. He has led No. 2 Villanova to a 27-4 overall record (14-4 in Big East).
The leading candidate to win National Player of the Year, Brunson edged out fellow unanimous All-Big East First Team selections Trevon Bluiett of Xavier and Kelan Martin of Butler.
Brunson makes it back-to-back Wildcats to take home Player of the Year honors, following in the footsteps of Josh Hart last season.
Under Mack’s guidance, Xavier (27-4, 15-3) became the first team besides Villanova to win the Big East regular-season title since the league realigned to its current 10-team format. Thus, the No. 3 Musketeers are the 1-seed in the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden.
Now, the question becomes whether or not the reigning Big East Coach of the Year will jump ship for the second consecutive season.
Chris Holtmann left Butler for Ohio State in June. Mack’s name has been tied to Louisville.
In the interim, Mack will look to lead Xavier to the Big East Tournament title then the Final Four in San Antonio.
2017-18 Big East Men’s Basketball Awards
Player of the Year: Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Coach of the Year: Chris Mack, Xavier
Rookie of the Year: Omari Spellman, Villanova
Most Improved Player: Myles Powell, Seton Hall
Sixth Man of the Year: Donte DiVincenzo, Vilanova
Sportsmanship Award: Tyler Wideman, Butler
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Defensive Player of the Year: Khryi Thomas, Creighton
The All-Big East First Team, Second Team, and Freshman Team can be found here.
Photo: @NovaMBB
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