Player of the Week:
Solo Ball, UConn
A preseason first-team selection, Solo Ball has been instrumental to UConn’s success this season, averaging 14.7 points on nearly 42 percent shooting. He delivered a strong two-game stretch last week, highlighted by his efficiency and perimeter shooting in both wins. In an 80-70 road victory over Butler, Ball scored 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-12 from three-point range, while adding two assists and a steal in 33 minutes. He followed that with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists in a 79-75 win over Georgetown, playing 37 minutes and providing steady two-way production. Across the two games, Ball averaged 22 points while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc, continuing to lead UConn with consistent scoring and veteran poise.
Freshman of the Week:
Nigel James Jr., Marquette
Nigel James Jr. continues to build a strong case for BIG East Freshman of the Year, earning Freshman of the Week honors once again. For the season, he is averaging nearly 16 points and five assists while shooting 48 percent from the field. Over the past week, he posted averages of 19.5 points, nine assists, and four rebounds while shooting 53.1 percent. His standout effort came in an eight-point road win over Xavier, where he recorded 30 points and 12 assists on 22 shots in 33 minutes.
Who’s Hot?
Silas Demary Jr., UConn
A preseason second-team selection, Silas Demary Jr. showed his value during UConn’s two-win week, averaging 13 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the field. His best performance came in a four-point win over Georgetown, where he nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists on just six shot attempts across 34 minutes. Demary’s size, feel, and all-around production continue to drive UConn’s offense, though his lack of elite burst or explosive athleticism limits some of his current NBA intrigue. On the positive side, he has made strides as a perimeter shooter, connecting on 45 percent from three-point range this season while averaging one made three per game.
Villanova Wildcats
Villanova has emerged as the hottest team in the BIG East. After being projected to finish seventh in the preseason, the Wildcats improved to 20-5 overall with a strong week of conference play. They opened with a narrow three-point home win over Marquette and followed it with an 11-point road victory over Creighton, extending their winning streak and strengthening their position in the league race.
Who’s Not?
Chase Ross, Marquette
A preseason first-team selection, Chase Ross has struggled in recent games, and those issues continued last week. He averaged just eight points, four rebounds, and four assists while shooting 28.5 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three, despite logging 29 minutes per game.
Butler Bulldogs
After entering the season with modest expectations, Butler has hit a rough stretch. The Bulldogs fell to 13-13 overall and 4-11 in conference play, extending their losing streak to six games. Losses to UConn (80-70) and Seton Hall by seven points at home highlighted the team’s recent struggles.
Top Five BIG East Bigs
1. Tre Carroll, Xavier
Despite Xavier’s inconsistent team results, Tre Carroll has been one of the conference’s most productive big men. He is averaging 18.4 points and 5.9 rebounds on nearly 51 percent shooting and posted 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and four assists per game last week. Undersized for a traditional big, Carroll still leads the conference in scoring and ranks among the top rebounders.
2. Tarris Reed Jr., UConn
A preseason first-team selection, Tarris Reed Jr. anchors the UConn frontcourt. At 6’11” with a 7’4”–7’5” wingspan, he impacts the game on both ends, averaging 13.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and two blocks while ranking among the conference leaders in all three categories.
3. Oswin Erhunmwunse, Providence
While his scoring numbers are modest, Oswin Erhunmwunse’s size and defensive presence make him one of the conference’s most impactful bigs. He is averaging 7.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting over 69 percent. He ranks third in the league in rebounding and leads the BIG East with 2.4 blocks per game.
4. Duke Brennan, Villanova
Duke Brennan has developed into a key piece for Villanova. The 6’10” forward is averaging 12.3 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting nearly 65 percent. He ranks second in the conference in rebounding and delivered a standout performance with 21 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-9 shooting in a road win over Creighton.
5. Dillon Mitchell, St. John’s
Dillon Mitchell has thrived as a hybrid frontcourt option for St. John’s. Despite standing 6’8”, he plays bigger than his size, averaging 9.2 points and 7.1 rebounds on 55.8 percent shooting. He ranks among the conference’s top rebounders and is also one of the league’s most versatile defenders, sitting in the top 10 in steals at 1.4 per game.