This weekend, both Seton Hall (over ranked Miami) and Villanova (over ranked Florida State) won their respective Thanksgiving Week Tournaments, joining Creighton and St. John’s as trophy-bearers in the young season.
Men’s Polls
Nationally, Gonzaga is the new #1 after beating Duke, Villanova re-enters the AP Poll at #23, and by number of votes, Creighton (29th) and St. John’s (34th) are also receiving votes. In the Coaches’ Poll, Villanova is at #23, Creighton would be #32 by number of votes, Butler would be #36, and St. John’s would be #38.
Women’s AP Poll
On the women’s side, DePaul is ranked #16, Marquette stays in at #22,
Speaking of the women, a very successful Paradise Jam saw the women’s squad picked up two wins and a tough loss against UConn — the monster of the women’s game — even leading the Huskies into the fourth period and holding the Huskies to under 70 points — for the fifth time in the last four seasons.
But they did not receive any votes in the AP Poll.
Big East Honors
On the women’s side, freshman Kadaja Bailey was named Big East Freshman of the Week. The preseason Freshman of the Year averaged nine points and five rebounds, shooting 9/14 from inside the arc and 2/4 from outside the arc.
Also receiving honors: Chante Stonewall (DePaul) — Player of the Week; A’riana Gray (Xavier); KellyJekot (Villanova); Shadeen Samuels (Seton Hall); Amani Wilborn (Marquete); Chanell Williams (Providence).
On the men’s side, Shamorie Ponds’ star turn in the Legends Classic earned him not just the Most Valuable Player award in the tournament, but also Big East Player of the Week. He averaged 34 points, six assists and four steals in the wins over Cal and VCU.
Also receiving honors: A.J. Reeves (Providence) — Freshman of the Week; Ty-Shon Alexander (Creighton); Trey Mourning (Georgetown); Sam Hauser (Marquette); Myles Powell (Seton Hall); Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (Villanova)