The Big East may be in disarray off the court, but on the court the league’s teams have won their last 17 games, including an 11-0 showing this past Saturday.
The Big East has a 103-27 record against Division I opponents this season. The.790 winning percentage is the best of any of the 32 conferences.
Meantime, the league honored Fuquan Edwin of Seton Hall as its Player of the Week and JaKarr Sampson of St. John’s as its Rookie of the Week.
Here’s a feature I did on Fuquan from last year that highlights the tough background in the Silk City of Paterson from which he comes.
BIG EAST Player of the Week
FUQUAN EDWIN, Seton Hall, F/G, Jr.
Edwin averaged 23.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in a 2-0 week for the Pirates, which included a come-from-behind 71-67 win at Wake Forest. In Saturday’s win against the Demon Deacons, Edwin scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half while helping the Pirates overcome a 14-point deficit. Earlier in the week, Edwin had 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 68-59 victory against NJIT. For the two games, Edwin shot 59.3 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from 3-point range.
BIG EAST Rookie of the Week
JAKARR SAMPSON, St. John’s, F, Fr.
Sampson averaged 19.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in a 1-1 week for St. John’s. Sampson posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals in a 58-47 win against Fordham on Saturday. In an 81-65 loss at San Francisco earlier in the week, Sampson scored a game-high 22 points.
BIG EAST Honor Roll
SEAN KILPATRICK, Cincinnati, G, Jr.
Averaged 25.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in a 2-0 week, leading the team in scoring in both games.
RUSS SMITH, Louisville, G, Jr.
Averaged 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals in a 2-0 week.
JUNIOR CADOUGAN, Marquette, G, Sr.
Had 18 points, four rebounds and six assists in a 60-50 win against Wisconsin.
LADONTAE HENTON, Providence, F, So.
Scored 21 points with 17 rebounds and four steals in a 72-57 win against Rhode Island.
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS, Syracuse, G, So.
Averaged 13.7 points, 12.3 assists and 3.7 steals in a 3-0 week.
Photo: SHU Athletics