Big East Awards -- The Big Ones

He sounded humble, almost embarrassed by the honor, but Mike Brey had to know it was coming.
After an 11-5 Big East season and rejuvenating Notre Dame after the suspension of sophomore point guard Kyle McAlarney, Brey earned the award Tuesday night on the eve of the Big East Tournament.

"It's staggering and powerful when your peers and the guys you compete with so hard vote you into something like this," Brey said. "I don't think, I looked back at the list of the people who won this award, like Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, and that is some staggering names."

Brey is the second Notre Dame coach to win Big East Coach of the Year, joining John MacLeod in 1996-97.

As far as the rest of the ambiance surrounding the Big East banquet -- Marquette guard Jerel McNeal had the best suit of the award winners, a snazzy white get-up that featured a vest. With the Notre Dame players, freshman guard Tory Jackson was wearing a yellow suit while the rest of the Irish players we saw went with more understated colors. But hey, point guards love to stand out.

Other Big East award winners: Player of the Year -- Jeff Green, Georgetown. Rookie of the Year -- Scottie Reynolds, Villanova. Defensive Player of the Year -- Jerel McNeal, Marquette. Most Improved Player -- Herbert Hill, Providence. Scholar Athlete of the Year -- Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh. Sportsmanship Award -- Brandon Jenkins, Louisville.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette