Big East basketball: Mid-season recap, awards and Bracketology

First team All-Big East

SO Markus Howard – Guard, Marquette

2017-18 stats: 22.1 ppg 3.2 rpg 2.9 apg

His 52 point effort against Providence is the highest from any D-1 basketball player this season, and his 95% shooting from the free throw line is also tops in the nation. Where he kills opponents most is from three-point range, with 72 made long balls. The top scorer of the Big East is only a sophomore, so coaches will have to deal with him for a while.

SR Kelan Martin – Forward, Butler

2017-18 stats: 19.6 ppg 6.5 rpg 2.0 apg

The Bulldogs aren’t ranked and in the national discussion, so it hurts Martin, who is one of the best overall players in the league. He’s in the top 10 in points, rebounds, shooting percentage, free throw percentage, usage percentage and minutes. The senior has been a consistent clog over the years for Butler, and is having an outstanding final season.

JR Jalen Brunson – Guard, Villanova

2017-18 stats: 18.8 ppg 3.1 rpg 5.2 apg

Brunson continues a long reign of great Wildcat guards, upping his scoring by five points in each of the last two seasons. In the close win over Marquette, the junior tied his season-high with 31 points. The most impressive feat for Brunson is his efficiency, shooting over 55% from the field from the guard position.

SR Trevon Bluiett – Wing, Xavier

2017-18 stats: 18.9 ppg 5.7 rpg 2.7 apg

Might be the most underrated player in all of college basketball, Bluiett nearly took an 11 seed Musketeer’s team to the Final Four. His scoring numbers are the same from a year ago, but is doing it at a much better rate, which is why Xavier as a team is much better than a year ago. Xavier has yet to reach that Final Four pinnacle, will they do it with this star?

SR Angel Delgado – Center, Seton Hall

2017-18 stats: 13.2 ppg 12.0 rpg 3.1 apg

In a league filled with star quality guards and wings, Delgado stands out alone as the unquestioned best big man in the Big East. He’s amassed double-doubles in all but four games, and has been overshadowed by the freshmen studs in the post. But an experienced player like Delgado is the kind of anchor to make a Final Four run.