Big East Basketball: Will anyone challenge the defending champs?

Mar 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Khadeen Carrington (0) cuts down the net after the Pirates won the championship game of the Big East conference tournament against Villanova at Madison Square Garden. Seton Hall Pirates defeated Villanova Wildcats 69-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) and Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) go for a loose ball d2g in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Conference Awards

Coach of the Year: Greg McDermott, Creighton

Player of the Year: Josh Hart, Villanova

Freshman of the Year: Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s

All-Big East First Team:

Senior guard Maurice Watson Jr., Creighton

Sophomore guard Edmond Sumner, Xavier

Junior forward Trevon Bluiett, Xavier

Junior forward Kelan Martin, Xavier

Senior forward Kris Jenkins, Villanova

(The Big East does not honor their Player of the Year on the First Team All-Conference)

All-Big East Second Team:

Junior guard Kyron Cartwright, Providence

Junior guard Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall

Junior guard Marcus Foster, Creighton

Junior forward Angel Delgado, Seton Hall

Senior center Luke Fischer, Marquette

Jalen Brunson (Villanova), Kassoum Yakwe (St. John’s), Haanif Cheatham (Marquette) and Billy Garrett Jr. (DePaul) all deserve some attention as potential Honorable Mentions. All three could jump players above them to leap onto the Second Team though.

Josh Hart seems to be the most reasonable selection for Big East Player of the Year, given that he is the best player on the best team and is expected to be even better in his senior campaign. Edmond Sumner, Mo Watson Jr. and Trevon Bluiett are other players in the mix, but a sleeper could be Kelan Martin. Martin has to be a more complete player if Butler is to make the Big Dance and make a run in March, but he can flat out score and rebound the ball.

Finally, Coach of the Year is also interesting. We could go with Chris Mack or Jay Wright, however, those guys have a level of consistency year in and year out that is already recognized. How about Chris Mullin as a Greg McDermott challenger? St. John’s could double their win total from last year.

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