No. 2 Villanova doesn’t tip off in the Big East Tournament until Thursday. However, that didn’t stop the Wildcats from proving how dominant they are in the conference a day early.
Junior guard Jalen Brunson was named Big East Player of the Year and forward Omari Spellman was selected as Big East Freshman of the Year on Wednesday.
Brunson has averaged 19.0 points on 52.8 percent shooting from the field and 40.5 percent three-point shooting this season. Additionally, he has put up 4.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds per contest to lead the Wildcats to a 14-4 Big East record. Brunson, who was also tabbed as one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Player of the Year honor, is now the third Villanova player to win the conference’s POY award in the past four seasons (Josh Hart in 2016-17 and Ryan Arcidiacono a co-winner in 2014-15).
Spellman more than lived up to the hype of being the conference’s preseason pick for top freshman by securing all nine possible votes to take home the hardware. He has notched 10.9 points (48.6 percent shooting), 7.8 boards and 1.5 blocks a night. Spellman became just the third ’Nova player to ever receive Big East Freshman of the Year accolades (Scottie Reynolds in 2006-07 and Tim Thomas in 1996-97).