Big East Basketball: Three reactions to all-conference team selections

Unanimous Selections

Villanova junior guard Jalen Brunson, Xavier senior guard Trevon Bluiett, and Butler senior forward Kelan Martin were the three unanimous first team selections in the Big East this season.

Brunson is the expected player of the year pick when the awards are announced Monday, March 6, but Bluiett, who led the Musketeers in scoring, rebounds, and three-point shooting, could push the Villanova star for the honor. Xavier did break Villanova’s four-year run atop the Big East this season, though Brunson’s Wildcats bested the Musketeers in both head-to-head contests.

Here are the stats for the three players:

Brunson: 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 52.8% FG, 80.6% FT, 40.5% 3PT

Bluiett: 19.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 45.2% FG, 85.4% FT, 43.4% 3PT

Martin: 21.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 44.5% FG, 85.8% FT, 37.0% 3PT

Bluiett is the 13th player to earn a first-team Big East spot three times. Brunson is now a two-time first-teamer, and Martin moved up after two straight seasons on the second-team.

While Xavier and Villanova finished one-two in the Big East, Butler slipped to sixth with losses in five of its last seven conference games, though hardly any blame should be shifted to Martin. The forward averaged 26.1 points on 44 percent shooting during that stretch. Expect these three players to grab the nation’s attention when the Big East tournament hits Madison Square Garden later this week.