Part 2 of LWOS\u2019 Big East All-Time series is here with the final five teams. The most successful program since the conference went to 10 teams is featured here, as well as a look at some more Hall of Fame players and coaches.<\/p>\n
Under the guidance of Rick Pitino<\/a><\/strong>, the Friars were a Cinderella story in the 1987 NCAA Tournament as a six-seed. The Friars beat UAB, Austin Peay, Alabama, and conference mate and No.1 seed Georgetown to make it to their second Final Four. Their run would end against another conference rival, as they lost to Syracuse.<\/p>\n Jimmy Walker<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most underrated basketball players of all-time. He was the NCAA season scoring leader in 1967 (averaging a whopping 30.7 points per game) and was a consensus first-team All-American in 1966 and 1967. Walker, the father of Jalen Rose<\/a><\/strong>, averaged 25.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in his three seasons at Providence.<\/p>\n Dave Gavitt<\/strong><\/a>, who is perhaps better known as the creator and first commissioner of the Big East, first cut his teeth as a coach and was arguably the best coach in Providence history. A basketball visionary, who also was part of the committee that put together the 1992 \u201cDream Team\u201d, Gavitt registered a 209-84 record with the Friars, while taking them to five<\/span> NCAA Tournaments and an appearance in the 1974 Final Four.<\/p>\n With a core of Chris Mullin<\/a><\/strong>, Walter Berry<\/a><\/strong>, Bill Wennington<\/a><\/strong>, and Mark Jackson<\/a><\/strong> coming off the bench, St. John\u2019s was as talented a<\/span> team in the 1980s. Too bad Georgetown foiled their quest at a title in the 1985 Final Four. St. John\u2019s finished the season at 30-4 and three of those\u00a0<\/span>losses came against Georgetown.<\/p>\n Mullin is the school\u2019s all-time leading scorer with 2,440 points \u2014 and without the benefit of a three-point line no less \u2014 and was one of college basketball\u2019s most lethal scorers. Mullin is a three-time Big East Player of the Year and the John Wooden Player of the Year in 1985.<\/p>\nBest Player: Jimmy Walker<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Honorable Mention: Kris Dunn<\/a>, Marvin Barnes<\/a>, Ryan Gomes<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n
Best Coach<\/span>: Dave Gavitt<\/strong><\/h4>\n
St. John\u2019s Red Storm<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Best Team: 1984-85<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Best Player: Chris Mullin<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Honorable Mention: Malik Sealy<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n