NEW YORK – UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. was named BIG EAST Player of the Week, while teammate Braylon Mullins was picked to be BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Demary Jr. averaged a near double-double in points and assists – 18.5 points and 9.5 assists – in a pair of wins for the Huskies. Mullins led UConn in scoring in both games this past week, averaging 20.0 points to go along with 4.5 rebounds per outing.
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Silas Demary Jr., UConn, G, Jr.
Demary Jr. averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.0 steals in a 2-0 week for UConn. The 6-4 guard was brilliant in an overtime win at Providence on Jan. 7, finishing with 23 points, a career-high 15 assists, and five steals. Demary Jr. logged one turnover against the Friars – marking only the fifth time in BIG EAST history that a player had 15 assists with one or fewer turnovers. He became the first BIG EAST player since the 2017-18 season to log at least 20 points and 15 assists in a game. Last time out against DePaul on Jan. 10, the junior from Raleigh, N.C. tallied 14 points, three boards, four assists, and three steals. For the week, Demary Jr. connected on 61.1% of his attempts from the floor (11-18), including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, while posting a 3.80:1 assist/turnover ratio.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Braylon Mullins, UConn, F, G.
Mullins led UConn in scoring in a pair of wins last week, averaging 20.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks. His best game of the week came at Providence on Jan. 7, scoring a game and season-high 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Eight of his 24 points came in the overtime period for the Huskies. Against DePaul on Jan. 10, the 6-6 guard registered a team-high 16 points, a season-best seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. Over the two games, he connected on nearly 55% (13-24) of his field goal attempts, including 8-of-15 from the perimeter. It marks the second weekly honor for Mullins this season.
BIG EAST Honor Roll
Nigel James Jr., Marquette, G, Fr.
James Jr. averaged 20.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.5 steals in a 1-1 week for Marquette. He poured in a career-best 31 points, knocking down seven 3-pointers, to go with six assists and three steals against Villanova on Jan. 10. The freshman guard added 10 points, six assists, and four boards in a win over Xavier on Jan. 7.
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s, F, Sr.
Ejiofor averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.5 steals in two road wins for St. John’s. His best game of the week came on Jan. 7, finishing with 18 points, five boards, two assists, and three steals at Butler. Last time out at Creighton, the senior finished with 12 points, six assists, four boards, and four steals.
Budd Clark, Seton Hall, G, Jr.
Clark scored 22 points to go with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in a comeback win for Seton Hall at Georgetown on Jan. 10. The junior guard scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half while connecting on 6-of-12 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free throw line on the night for the Pirates.
Acaden Lewis, Villanova, G, Fr.
Lewis averaged 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in a 1-1 week for Villanova. Against Creighton on Jan. 7, the freshman guard finished with 20 points, four boards, seven assists, and three steals. In a win at Marquette on Jan. 10, Lewis again tallied 20 points to go with eight assists.
Malik Messina-Moore, Xavier, G, Sr.
Messina-Moore averaged 22.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 steals in a 1-1 week for Xavier. The senior guard had 22 points, three boards, three assists, and five steals at Marquette on Jan. 7. Last time out, he finished with 23 points – including five 3-pointers – in a home win over Providence.