Kris Dunn, Jalen Brunson earn Big East weekly honors
Kris Dunn becomes the second consecutive Friar to be named Big East Player of the Week. The Providence junior guard began conference play by averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game in wins over No. 9 Butler and St. John's.
Dunn, the preseason Big East Player of the Year, is averaging 17.5 points, 7.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game this season, propelling Providence into the top-15.
''Every game Kris plays, this whole city is getting on his shoulders. That's why he came back to school,'' Providence head coach Ed Cooley said following Saturday's win over the Red Storm. ''He wants to be the leader. He wants to be the guy, and I'm going to help him do that.''
Last week, Providence sophomore forward Ben Bentil earned the weekly honor.
Villanova point guard Jalen Brusnon was tabbed as the Big East Freshman of the Week after recording a season high in points and leading No. 16 Villanova to three straight wins.
In Monday night's win against Philly Big 5 rival Penn, Brunson scored season-high 22 points and dished five assists.
The 6-foot-3 floor general also contributed to the Wildcats' 2-0 start in conference play. After Villanova rolled past No. 6 Xavier on New Year's Eve, Brunson was one of four players to reach double figures on Saturday night, scoring 15 points, off 6-of-8 shooting, in an 85-71 win at Creighton.
Back in October, Brunson was named Big East preseason Freshman of the Year.
