NEW YORK – Villanova forward Jermaine Samuels has been tabbed BIG EAST Player of the Week and St. John’s guard Posh Alexander has been named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Both players led their teams to 2-0 weeks.
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Jermaine Samuels, Villanova, F, Sr. – Coming off a four-week layoff due to COVID issues, Samuels led the Wildcats to a 2-0 week with wins against Seton Hall and Providence. The senior had 20 points and nine rebounds after just one day of practice in a 76-74 win against Seton Hall. In a 71-56 victory over Providence, Samuels had 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and was +24 in his 31 minutes, while not committing a turnover.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Posh Alexander, St. John’s, G, Fr. – In a 2-0 week for the Johnnies, Alexander averaged a team-high 19.0 points, shot 53.8 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from 3-point range. In a 74-70 win at Connecticut, the point guard finished with 18 points, six assists and three steals. He posted 20 points and three steals in a 96-78 victory against Utah Valley. Alexander leads the BIG EAST in steals with a 2.5 average.
BIG EAST Honor Roll
Jair Bolden, Butler, G, Gr. – Tallied a season-high 21 points, which included five 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds in a 67-53 road victory against DePaul.
Damien Jefferson, Creighton, F, Sr. – Averaged 19.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in a 1-1 week. Scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting in a loss to Providence (74-70).
Charlie Moore, DePaul, G, Sr. – Averaged 16.0 points in a 1-1 week. Made 14-of-15 from the foul line, including 8-of-8 in the final minute of a win at Marquette (68-61).
Nate Watson, Providence, F, Sr. – Averaged 20.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in a 1-1 week on the road. Scored a career-high 29 points and pulled down six rebounds in a 74-70 win at Creighton.
Julian Champagnie, St. John’s, G-F, So. – Averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in a 1-1 week. Scored nine of his 12 points in the second in a win at UConn (74-70).