The Big East wrapped up its conference play on Saturday. With the tournament beginning this week, they released the players who received all-conference honors.
Big East All-Conference Teams
First Team All-Big East
Kelan Martin, Butler: The 6’7″ senior averaged 21.2 points per game this season for the Bulldogs. He was the conference’s second-leading scorer and he also grabbed 6.4 rebounds per game. He led Butler to a 19-12 record and the Bulldogs are currently on the bubble for a tournament chance.
Marcus Foster, Creighton: Foster averaged 20.3 points per game during his senior campaign for the Blue Jays. He proved to be a very gifted scorer and turned into one of the best in the country. He had a season-high of 32 points in a December game, and he poured in 28 to help Creighton upset Villanova on Feb. 24.
Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s: Only a sophomore, Ponds led the Big East in scoring with 21.6 points per game and showed that he can lead a team to victories. After a tough stretch in the middle of the season, Ponds led the Red Storm to wins over top-five Duke and the number one team in the country, Villanova. He contributed 33 points against Duke and 26 against Villanova. He followed up those performances with a 44-point outburst against Marquette.
Mikal Bridges, Villanova: Arguably the best two-way player in the country, Bridges is a top prospect in this year’s NBA draft and will almost certainly be a lottery pick. He finished top-five in the Big East in blocks (1.1) and steals per game (1.6). The 6’6″ junior averaged 17.6 points and grabbed 5.5 rebounds per game.
Jalen Brunson, Villanova: Brunson is the favorite to win the Big East Player of the Year award and is a finalist for the Naismith award as well. The three year started at Villanova took the next step this season in becoming a star. He averaged 19 points, 3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game to lead Villanova to a 27-4 record. Brunson was a unanimous selection along with Martin and Xavier’s Trevon Bluiett.
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier: It has been quite a season for Bluiett and the Musketeers. They won their first outright Big East title this season and will most likely be a number one seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Bluiett led Xavier with 19.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He is a finalist for the Naismith Award and will look to finish off a magical season with wins in the Big East and National tournaments.
Second Team All-Big East
Khyri Thomas, Creighton: The junior worked alongside Foster this season to lead Creighton. He averaged 15.5 points and just over four rebounds per game.
Marcus Derrickson, Georgetown: Derrickson was one of the bright spots for Patrick Ewing‘s Hoyas this season. He poured in 15.7 points and grabbed 8.1 rebounds per game. He will accept this honor for himself and teammate Jessie Govan, who also had a great season for Georgetown.
Markus Howard, Marquette: Howard broke onto the scene last season as a freshman and continued his magic through his sophomore season. He averaged 20.9 points per game and was one of the best free throw shooters in the nation at just under 94 percent.
Angel Delgado, Seton Hall: Delgado will wrap up a great career for the Pirates after this season. The all-time Big East leader in rebounds averaged a double-double with 13.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.
Desi Rodriguez, Seton Hall: Delgado’s teammate, Rodriguez, averaged 18.1 points and five rebounds per game this season for Seton Hall. He missed the final three games of the regular season due to injury but he should be a go for the upcoming tournaments.
The two honorable mentions went to Andrew Rowsey of Marquette and Kyron Cartwright of Providence. The All-Freshman Team was also announced. It was headlined by Villanova’s Omari Spellman, who was a unanimous selection. Joining Spellman is Naji Marshall from Xavier and Jamorko Pickett of Georgetown, who were also selected unanimously. The other three were Providence’s Nate Watson, Georgetown’s Jahvon Blair, and Creighton’s Mitchell Ballock.
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