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

Third team All-Big East

SO Shamorie Ponds – Guard, St. John’s

2017-18 stats: 19.1 ppg 5.1 rpg 4.7 apg

The lone bright spot for the Red Storm, Ponds has done his best to keep his team in games. But with the absence of his backcourt partner, combined with St. Jon’s not having much shooting elsewhere, opponents have focused all their attention on Ponds, hence the bad shooting numbers.

JR Max Strus – Guard, DePaul

2017-18 stats: 18.3 ppg 5.3 rpg 2,6 apg

Junior College players like Strus are key to a struggling program like DePaul getting back on their feet. He’s played above expectations to this point, and kept the Blue Demons competitive against superior teams. Problem for him, there’s not much else to work with.

JR Khyri Thomas – Guard, Creighton

2017-18 stats: 14.6 ppg 4.1 rpg 3.0 apg

The former Defensive Player of the Year has become more of an offensive threat this season, playing off of Foster in the Blue Jays backcourt. He still is tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best defender, so there’s a ton on his plate. All things considered, he’s probably the most important player on the team.

SR Rodney Bullock – Forward, Providence

2017-18 stats: 16.0 ppg 6.6 rpg 1.3 apg

The senior leader was the only key player for the Friars that hasn’t missed extended time, and he’s kept them afloat throughout the tough times.

SO Martin Krampelj – Forward, Creighton

2017-18 stats: 11.9 ppg 8.1 rpg 1.2 apg

It’s an unfortunate end for a quality player who has played very well in his extended role. He suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the last couple of weeks, and his absence will be felt going forward. But I at least wanted to recognize his solid contributions in the first half of the season.