NEW YORK – In the first men’s basketball weekly honors for the 2020-21 season, Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has been named BIG EAST Player of the Week and Marquette’s Dawson Garcia has been tabbed BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.  Robinson-Earl won MVP honors in the Empire Classic at Mohegan Sun and Garcia helped Marquette to a 2-0 week.

BIG EAST Player of the Week
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova, F, So. – The 6-9 forward led the Wildcats to capturing the Empire Classic, which included wins over Boston College (76-67) and No. 18/17 Arizona State (83-74).  Robinson-Earl had 18 points and 10 rebounds against BC and scored a career-high 28 points against Arizona State.  In a 2-1 week that also included an 81-73 loss in overtime to Virginia Tech, Robinson-Earl averaged 20.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.
 
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Dawson Garcia, Marquette, F, Fr. – The 6-11 forward, who is the BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year, led the Golden Eagles in scoring in a 2-0 week with victories over Arkansas Pine-Bluff (99-57) and Eastern Illinois (75-50).  For the two games, Garcia averaged a team-high 17.5 points and 6.0 rebounds.  He shot 55.6 percent from the field, made 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 11-of-13 from the foul line.
 
BIG EAST Honor Roll
James Bouknight, Connecticut, G, So. – In a 2-0 week, averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor. 
Jahvon Blair, Georgetown, G, Sr. – Scored 23 points, grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and had four assists in a 70-62 win over UMBC.
Nate Watson, Providence, C, Sr. – In a 97-56 win over Fairfield, posted 23 points while making 8-of-11 from the floor and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Vince Cole, St. John’s, G, Jr. – Averaged 20.0 points on 58.3 percent shooting in wins over Saint Peter’s and La Salle.  Made 6-of-13 from 3-point range. 
Paul Scruggs, Xavier, G, Sr. – Named MVP of the Xavier Invitational after averaging 13.0 points, 8.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 steals in three victories.