NEW YORK – The men’s basketball weekly awards go to a pair of centers this week. St. John’s Joel Soriano had been named BIG EAST Player of the Week and Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan has been tabbed BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Both players led their teams to tournament titles and 3-0 records for the week.
 
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Joel Soriano, St. John’s, C, Sr. – In a 3-0 week that included an Empire Classic title, Soriano averaged 18.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and recorded a double-double in each contest. In the Empire Classic 76-69 OT win against Syracuse, Soriano had 19 points and 14 boards. He followed that with career highs of 21 points and 19 boards in a 78-70 win over Niagara.
 
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, Fr. – Clingan was named Most Valuable Player in the Phil Knight Invitational while helping UConn beat Iowa State 71-53 with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the final. For the three games, which also included wins over Alabama and Oregon, he shot 61.1 percent from the floor and averaged 1.7 blocks.
 
BIG EAST Honor Roll
Tristen Newton, Connecticut, G, Sr. – Averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while helping UConn win the PK Invitational.
 
Ryan Nembhard, Creighton, G, So. – Averaged 20.3 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 rebounding while helping the Bluejays to a runner-up finish at the Maui Invitational. Made the Maui All-Tournament Team.
 
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, So. – Averaged 16.0 points in a 2-1 week, including a win over Georgia Tech (84-60). Was named to Ft. Myers Tip-Off All-Tournament Team. 
 
Ed Croswell, Providence, F, Sr. – Averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in wins against Merrimack (71-57) and Columbia (78-64).     
 
Colby Jones, Xavier, G, Sr. – In the PK Legacy, averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists against Florida, Duke and Gonzaga. Shot 55.6 percent from the field.