NEW YORK (AP) – Georgetown University’s John Thompson III has been named the Big East Conference men’s basketball coach of the year, more than three decades after his father won the award for the first time.
Thompson edged out Marquette’s Buzz Williams, who led his team to a share of the conference title with Georgetown and Louisville.Georgetown's Otto Porter Jr. was the unanimous choice as Big East player of the year. JaKarr Sampson became the second straight St. John's player named rookie of the year.
The awards were presented at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, the first day of the conference tournament.
In conference games only, Porter was second in the league in scoring (18.1), fifth in rebounding (7.3), tied for third in steals (1.8) and second in 3-point shooting (44.1 percent).
Thompson's selection is his first but the family's fourth. Hall of Fame coach John Thompson won the award three times at Georgetown, including the first one presented in 1979-80. This was Thompson's third regular-season title in nine seasons at Georgetown.
Sampson is the conference's top freshman scorer (14.9) and rebounder (6.6). He follows Moe Harkless as rookie of the year.
