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NCAA

Duke’s Brown Wins Media Award

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INDIANAPOLIS – (Staff Report from Official Press Release) – In recognition of his long service to the game of women’s basketball, Duke’s Lindy Brown has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Mary Jo Haverbeck Award winner for 2023. He will be presented the award at the Final Four in Dallas.

Brown joined the Duke communications office in November 1999 and rose to Senior Associate Director of Sports Communications, currently overseeing women’s soccer, women’s tennis and women’s golf. In 2019, Brown received the CoSIDA Achievement Award for the University Division and has been honored multiple times for his women’s basketball media guides. He has been part of multiple women’s sports championships and achievements at Duke, including three women’s basketball Final Four appearances (2002, ’03 and ’06).

“Nobody worked harder to promote and elevate Duke women’s basketball than Lindy, whose knack for spotting and pitching good stories made it an easy program to cover,” said USBWA president Luke DeCock, a sports columnist for the (Raleigh) News & Observer. “The fact that he for many years organized the annual media basketball game at Cameron is entirely incidental.”

A 1996 graduate from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., Brown received a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management and worked in the sports information office during college. Before joining Duke, he served as the Sports Information Director and Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for the University of South Carolina Aiken. Brown resides in his hometown of Raleigh with his wife Christine and their two children, Jordan and Olivia.

The award is presented annually and named after the late Mary Jo Haverbeck, the longtime women’s sports communications director at Penn State who passed away in January 2014. The award pays tribute to Haverbeck for her pioneering and visionary work among the first women to work in the sports communication profession.

The USBWA was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball.

Big East: The Grand Finale Awaits

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PROVIDENCE – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – In the final night of action before the regular season ends on Saturday, Xavier handed Providence its first home loss of the season to grab the No. 2 seed in next week’s BIG EAST Tournament while Connecticut and Creighton built huge early leads en route to victories.

The 19th-ranked Musketeers (22-8, 14-5 BIG EAST) cruised to a 22-point lead in the first half before the 20th-ranked Friars (21-9, 13-6 BE) stormed back to cut the advantage to two points with 15:18 to play. But Xavier never lost the lead and won 94-89. Musketeer guards Souley Boum and Colby Jones combined for 62 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. All five PC starters reached double figures led by Ed Croswell and Bryce Hopkins, who had 17 points each.

UConn raced to a 29-2 lead and beat DePaul 88-59 in Hartford. The 14th-ranked Huskies (23-7, 12-7 BE) were led by Adama Sanogo’s 26 points in only 22:33 of playing time. Andre Jackson Jr. finished with 11 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Nick Ongenda, in only his fifth game since returning from a wrist injury, led the Blue Demons (9-21, 3-16 BE) with 17 points, six boards and two blocked shots.

Creighton got out early against Georgetown in its 99-59 victory at the CHI Health Center. The Bluejays (19-11, 13-6 BE) scored the first 19 points of the game and were not threatened. Trey Alexander led the Jays with 25 points. Baylor Scheierman added 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. The Hoyas (7-24, 2-18 BE) got 21 points from Primo Spears.

Five games on Saturday will complete the regular season. The following seeds have been determined for The BIG EAST Tournament: No. 1 Marquette, No. 2 Xavier, No. 6 Villanova, No. 7 Seton Hall, No. 10 DePaul and No. 11 Georgetown. St. John’s and Butler will be in the 8/9 game with exact seeds to be determined.

Big East: Marquette Takes Title

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INDIANAPOLIS – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – In Tuesday action, Marquette won its first BIG EAST regular-season crown when it defeated Butler 72-56 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Villanova continued its hot play with a 76-72 victory at Seton Hall, which assured the Wildcats of the No. 6 seed at next week’s BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

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The sixth-ranked Golden Eagles (24-6, 16-4 BIG EAST) put together a strong first half that ended with a 36-22 lead at the break. MU was able to maintain a comfortable edge the rest of the way. Tyler Kolek posted game highs of 21 points and 10 assists. He shot 9-of-13 from the field. Jayden Taylor led the Bulldogs (14-16, 6-13 BE).

Villanova, the nation’s leader in free throw shooting, made 21-of-22 from the stripe in the second half of its 76-72 victory. Justin Moore was 9-of-9 from the line and finished with a game-high 23 points. The Wildcats (16-14, 10-9 BE) have won six of their last seven games. The Pirates (16-14, 9-10 BE) were led by Femi Odukale, who compiled his first double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The teams ranked second through fifth in the standings are in action on Wednesday. At 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1, No. 19 Xavier plays at No. 20 Providence. Both teams are 21-8 overall and 13-5 in BIG EAST play and are tied for second place.

DePaul (9-20, 3-15 BE) plays at No. 14 Connecticut (22-7, 11-7 BE) at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Creighton (18-11, 12-6 BE) hosts Georgetown (7-23, 2-17 BE) at 8:30 p.m. on FS1.

The following seeds have been determined for The BIG EAST Tournament: No. 1 Marquette, No. 6 Villanova, No. 7 Seton Hall, No. 10 DePaul and No. 11 Georgetown. St. John’s and Butler will be in the 8/9 game with exact seeds to be determined.

Final Week of Big East Season

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Going into the final week of the regular season, tremendous fan support has increased once again across the BIG EAST Conference in men’s basketball.

Led nationally by Creighton (17,172, 6th) and Marquette (14,098, 16th), seven BIG EAST schools rank among top-50 in overall attendance in 2022-23. Overall, nine of 11 BIG EAST schools’ attendance number have increased this season, with BIG EAST teams combining for 53 sellout home games.

Powered by the boisterous crowds, BIG EAST programs are 123-45 on their home courts, collectively winning 73.2 percent of games. In addition, the top five seeds in the 2023 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament, presented by JEEP boast an astounding 70-7 home mark, winning 90.9 percent of contests in front of their respective fan bases.

As a league, average attendance has risen to 10,322 fans per game, up 6.87 percent from a season ago. The attendance across the league currently ranks second since realignment, with an average of 10,371 fans per game set in 2018.

For schools playing in their primary arenas, percentage capacities are at or near 100 percent for multiple programs, led by Xavier and Villanova. Playing all 16 games in front of the fans at Cintas Center, the Musketeers are averaging 10,279 fans and hitting 100.54 percent capacity. In addition, Villanova has sold out at each of its nine home game played at Finneran Pavilion (6,501 seat capacity).

Just shy of reaching full capacity, Creighton has sold 98.96 percent of tickets to its 14 home games, while Marquette has filled 76.21 percent of Fiserv Forum (18,500 seat capacity) seats across 16 games to stay in the top-20 in overall NCAA attendance.

Four Big East Teams in Top 25

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – For the eighth straight week, at least four BIG EAST teams are ranked among the nation’s top-25 teams in both the AP and USA Today polls.

Extending its win streak to four games after a 2-0 week, Marquette (23-6, 15-3 BIG EAST) jumped to No. 6 in both polls on Monday. The ranking marks the highest for the Golden Eagles since 1978.

Also making a four-position leap in the AP poll, Connecticut (22-7, 11-7 BE) ranks No. 14, followed closely by No. 19 Xavier (21-8, 13-5 BE) and No. 20 Providence (21-8, 13-5 BE).

Heading into the final week of regular season action, the rankings once again set up a top-20 midweek matchup. Looking to remain perfect at home, the Friars will welcome the Musketeers to Amica Mutual Pavilion Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Providence earned a road win on Sunday, moving past Georgetown 88-68 at Capital One Arena. The Friars held firm control at halftime, 46-27, spearheaded by a 13-0 run midway through the opening 20 minutes. Ed Croswell led the visitors with a career-high 25 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Jared Bynum pitched in 18 points and drilled six three-pointers. Primo Spears led Georgetown with a game-high 26 points.

Providence Unbeaten at Home

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The “down the stretch” portion of the regular season is here. Tuesday night was a great example with two of the four games going into double overtime.

No. 24 Providence stayed unbeaten at home (14-0) this season with a 94-86 double-overtime decision over No. 18 Creighton at the AMP. The Friars got 65 points from the trio of Devin Carter (25), Bryce Hopkins (20) and Noah Locke (20). Creighton point guard Ryan Nembhard was the game’s top rebounder with 10 boards and scored a team-high 21 points. The Friars and Bluejays are tied for third place in the standings with 11-4 records. PC is 19-7 overall. Creighton is 17-9.

The other double-overtime contest had St. John’s (16-11, 6-10 BE) rallying from a 13-point deficit with less than seven minutes in regulation and outlasting DePaul 92-83. Dylan Addae-Wusu scored a career-high 24 points, including a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left to force overtime. Joel Soriano posted his 21st double-double with 21 points and 16 boards. For DePaul (9-17, 3-12 BE), Javon Johnson had six 3-pointers and 26 points.

Seton Hall held Georgetown to 36.5 percent shooting from the field and helped force 16 turnovers in a 76-68 victory. Al-Amir Dawes scored a game-high 20 points for the Pirates (16-11, 9-7 BE). Tyrese Samuel added 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Hoyas (6-21, 1-15) cut a 15-point deficit to four in the final minutes but could not complete the comeback. Primo Spears netted a team-high 16 points.

Villanova put the defensive clamps on visiting Butler in a 62-50 win. The Wildcats (13-13, 7-8 BE) held the Bulldogs (13-14, 5-11 BE) to a .377 percentage from the floor. VU’s Justin Moore had a team-high 15 points and Caleb Daniels added 13. Butler’s Jayden Taylor continued his strong play with a game-high 20 points.

The lone game on Wednesday figures to be a must-see matchup with No. 11 Marquette hosting No. 16 Xavier on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET. The Golden Eagles (20-6, 12-3 BE) have a half-game lead over the Musketeers (19-6, 11-3 BE). Xavier won the first meeting 80-76 on Jan. 15 at Cintas Center.

Xavier Tops Providence in O.T.

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CINCINNATI – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – In a battle of ranked teams on Wednesday, No. 16 Xavier and No. 17 Providence went into overtime before the Musketeers prevailed. No. 14 Marquette, Seton Hall and Creighton also picked up victories.

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Xavier edged Providence 85-83 at Cintas Center. It was the fourth win over a ranked opponent for the Musketeers (18-5, 10-2 BIG EAST). Jack Nunge produced his seventh double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Guards Souley Boum and Colby Jones each scored 20 points. Noah Locke made 6-of-7 from 3-point range and finished with 22 points for the Friars (17-6, 9-3 BE). Jared Bynum’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer rattled out.

Marquette remained in a tie with Xavier atop the league standings with a 73-64 victory over Villanova. The Golden Eagles (18-5, 10-2) trailed 62-61 with five minutes left before outscoring the Wildcats (10-12, 4-7 BE) 12-2 to close the game. Marquette’s Tyler Kolek posted 20 points and six assists. Eric Dixon and Caleb Daniels each scored 14 points for Villanova.

Seton Hall earned its fourth BIG EAST road win with an 84-72 victory over St. John’s at Carnesecca Arena. The Pirates (14-9, 7-5 BE) recovered from a 13-point deficit in the first half to win their sixth game in their last seven. Al-Amir Dawes scored a game-high 21 points and Kadary Richmond filled his stat line with 15 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. AJ Storr continued his recent strong play with 15 points for the Red Storm (14-9, 4-8 BE).

Georgetown held Creighton to its lowest scoring total in BIG EAST play, but the Bluejays still recorded a 63-53 victory, their fifth straight win. Ryan Kalkbrenner led the Bluejays (14-8, 8-3 BE) with 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Baylor Scheierman added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Qudus Wahab had 14 points, seven boards and three steals for the Hoyas (6-17, 1-1 BE).

BIG EAST play returns on Saturday with four games.

BIG EAST: Hopkins, Whitmore Honored

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Providence forward-guard Bryce Hopkins and Villanova forward Cam Whitmore have won weekly basketball honors. Hopkins was selected BIG EAST Player of the Week and Whitmore was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.

BIG EAST Player of the Week

Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F-G, So. – Hopkins amassed 29 points, 23 rebounds and three steals in a 103-98 double OT win against 24th-ranked Marquette in the Friars’ only game of the week. His “20-20” game was the first in a BIG EAST contest since Seton Hall’s Angel Delgado had 21 points and 20 rebounds on Jan. 22, 2017. Hopkins leads PC in scoring (16.7) and rebounding (9.7). 

BIG EAST Freshman of the Week

Cam Whitmore, Villanova, F, Fr. – Whitmore contributed to Villanova’s 78-63 win against St. John’s by scoring eight points and grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds in only 20 minutes of playing time. It was the Wildcats’ only game of the week. Whitmore is averaging 12.4 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds while playing only 21.8 minutes per game.

BIG EAST Honor Roll

Joey Calcaterra, Connecticut, G, Gr. – Came off the bench to spark a 15-2 run in the second half of a win over Georgetown (84-73). Scored 14 points in 17 minutes.

Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, So. – Scored a career-high 32 points in a win over DePaul (80-65) and averaged 20.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in a 2-0 week. Shot 56.5 percent from the field and was 9-of-15 from 3-point range.   

Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Jr. – Scored a career-high 29 points on 11-15 shooting to go with five rebounds and five steals in a double OT loss at Providence (103-98).

Eric Dixon, Villanova, C, Sr. – Scored a team-high 18 points and pulled down six rebounds in a victory against St. John’s (78-63).

Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Sr. – Had a season-high 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists in a win against Seton Hall (73-70).

 

St. John’s Takes Temple; Will Meet ‘Cuse

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BROOKLYN – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Creighton and St. John’s won the opening games of their Thanksgiving week tournaments while Marquette lost a close one.

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Creighton, ranked 10th in this week’s Associated Press poll, survived some strong defensive pressure by No. 21 Texas Tech in the first half before a second-half turnaround produced a 76-65 victory at the Maui Invitational. The Red Raiders forced the Bluejays into 13 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, but Creighton responded by not committing a turnover in the second half and outscoring the Red Raiders 45-34. All five CU starters reached double figures led by Arthur Kaluma’s 18 points.

Creighton meets No. 9 Arkansas Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

St. John’s scored the last eight points of the game to nail down a 78-72 victory over Temple in the Empire Classic at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Montez Mathis scored a team-high 16 points and Joel Soriano produced his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The undefeated Johnnies (5-0) will play former BIG EAST rival Syracuse for the tourney title at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The two teams have not met since Dec. 21, 2016 when St. John’s won 93-60 in the Carrier Dome.

Marquette overcame an early 10-point deficit and led by four in the second half before dropping a 58-55 decision to Mississippi State in the Ft. Myers Tipoff. Tyler Kolek led the Golden Eagles (3-2) with 16 points and backcourt partner Kam Jones added 14. The Golden Eagles will play Georgia Tech on Wednesday in the third-place game.

Hall Names West Award Watch List

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SPRINGFIELD – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named the 20 watch-list members for the 2023 Jerry West Award. Named after NBA legend, Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.

“Each of the student-athletes nominated for this honor has emulated Jerry West’s skillset on the court and should be extremely proud of this accomplishment,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Our committee, alongside Mr. West, are honored to watch this exceptional group this season.”

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds, starting Friday, October 28. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Jerry West Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March the five finalists will be presented to West and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee where a winner will be selected.

The winner of the 2023 Jerry West Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center) in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

Previous winners of the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award are Johnny Davis, Wisconsin (2022), Chris Duarte, Oregon (2021), Myles Powell, Seton Hall (2020), RJ Barrett, Duke (2019), Carsen Edwards, Purdue (2018), Malik Monk, Kentucky (2017), Buddy Hield, Oklahoma (2016) and D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State (2015).