Big East Basketball: Top 50 players from the legendary 2010-11 season

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: The Connecticut Huskies react after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by a score of 53-41 at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 08: Vincent Council /

40. JR Jordan Theodore – Height: 6’0 Weight: 174 – Seton Hall

2010-11 stats: 11.0 ppg 3.1 rpg 4.4 apg 1.3 spg – FG%: 43 3P%: 34 FT%: 79

Season-high points: 24 vs. Arkansas – Best Big East game: 19 points, six rebounds, and seven assists vs. Syracuse

The starting point guard for the Pirates played the entire season, something that couldn’t have been said about some of his teammates. He had his individual moments, but his most impressive feat was keeping the team together despite the constant turmoil and news that surrounded the team.

39. SR Antonio Pena – Height: 6’8 Weight: 235 – Villanova

2010-11 stats: 9.8 ppg 7.1 rpg 1.5 apg 1.0 bpg -FG%: 50 3P%: 25 FT%: 68

Season-high points: 17 (twice) – Best Big East game: 17 points and 15 rebounds vs. Providence

The other post threat for the Wildcats was senior Antonio Pena, who was a top 10 rebounder in the Big East. He was a bit more consistent than the sophomore Yarou and was relied on more down the stretch of games.

38. SO Vincent Council – Height: 6’2 Weight: 180 – Providence

2010-11 stats: 13.7 ppg 4.2 rpg 5.9 apg – FG%: 36 3P%: 34 FT%: 72

Season-high points: 29 vs. Wyoming – Best Big East game: 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists vs. Villanova

It was difficult to decide where to exactly place Council, who surprisingly was the top passer in the league. But most of his assists went to a player that will be seen later in the list and the defense that Council displayed was sometimes atrocious. The Friars as a team were awful on defense and that was a big part of Providence’s bad season, despite having a potent offense. Other point guards didn’t have the numbers, but were just better players.

37. JR Darryl Bryant – Height: 6’2 Weight: 195 – West Virginia

2010-11 stats: 11.3 ppg 2.4 rpg 3.0 apg – FG%: 33 3P%: 32 FT%: 83

Season-high points: 25 vs. Marquette – Best Big East game: 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists vs. Providence

The offensive game plan for Bryant was very simple: drive to the basket. He was one of the worst shooters, but credit to him for knowing that, as he also was one of the better guards at drawing fouls. It’s not surprising that Bob Huggins would set his players up for success.

36. SR Gilbert Brown – Height: 6’6 Weight: 215 – Pittsburgh

2010-11 stats: 11.3 ppg 4.4 rpg 2.7 apg – FG%: 46 3P%: 41 FT%: 79

Season-high points: 28 vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore – Best Big East game: 20 points and five rebounds vs. Louisville

One of the things that set this senior guard apart from other players on the list was his intelligence. If he didn’t need to shoot, he didn’t. If there were games that he had the favorable matchup, he exploited it. His shooting numbers were one of the best, hence his top 10 offensive rating. Brown was the ultimate role player in that he played said role perfectly.

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