NEW YORK (AP) — Syracuse senior forward Rick Jackson has been selected Big East defensive player of the year, while St. John’s senior guard Dwight Hardy is the conference’s most improved player.
St. John’s senior Justin Burrell was chosen as the top sixth man Monday in a vote of the league’s coaches. Pittsburgh senior Brad Wanamaker was picked for the sportsmanship award.
The player and coach of the year will be announced Tuesday.
Jackson led the Big East in rebounding with a 9.9 average, the first Syracuse player to do that since Derrick Coleman in 1989-90. Jackson’s 2.5 blocked shots led the conference.
Hardy averaged 17.9 points in leading the Red Storm to a tie for third in the conference and their most successful season in almost a decade.
