Marquette University Athletics
Novak, James, McNeal Named to All-BIG EAST Teams
3/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 6, 2006
MILWAUKEE - Marquette landed three players on the All-BIG EAST teams, the league announced. Senior forward Steve Novak was named first team All-BIG EAST in a unanimous selection. Freshman Dominic James was named honorable mention by the league and was a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie team. Freshman Jerel McNeal joined James as an all-rookie selection.
Novak set the BIG EAST record for three-point field goals made in a season with 70. He averaged 20.4 points per game in BIG EAST play, an increase from his overall average of 17.4 points per game. His three point field goal average in BIG EAST play was 47.3 percent and he shot 48.6 from the floor in league games.
Novak was one of four unanimous selections to the 11-player first-team. Connecticut's Rudy Gay, and Villanova guards Randy Foye and Allan Ray joined Novak as unanimous selections.
James, the top freshman scorer and assist player in the BIG EAST and a six-time Rookie-of-the-Week selection, was a unanimous all-rookie pick. He averaged 16.4 points per game in league play and 5.0 assists.
McNeal joined James on the 10-player All-Rookie Team. McNeal averaged 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in league play this season.
The trio helped Marquette to 20-9 regular season record, a 10-6 record in the BIG EAST, a no. 4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament and a first round bye. The Golden Eagles will play the winner of Georgetown/Notre Dame on Thursday, March 9 at 2 p.m. at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
Individual award winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 7 as part of the league's pre-tournament banquet.
BIG EAST First Team
Eric Hicks, Cincinnati, Sr.; Rudy Gay, Connecticut, So.; * Steve Novak, Marquette, Sr.; Chris Quinn, Notre Dame, Sr.; Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh, Jr.; Quincy Douby, Rutgers, Jr.; Gerry McNamara, Syracuse, Sr.; *Randy Foye, Villanova, Sr.; *Allan Ray, Villanova, Sr.; Mike Gansey, West Virginia, Sr.; Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia, Sr.
BIG EAST Second Team
Hilton Armstrong, Connecticut, Sr.; Marcus Williams, Connecticut, Jr.; Jeff Green, Georgetown, So.; Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, So.; Taquan Dean, Louisville, Sr.; Carl Krauser, Pittsburgh, Sr.; Donnie McGrath, Providence, Sr.; Donald Copeland, Seton Hall, Sr.; Kelly Whitney, Seton Hall, Sr.; Kyle Lowry, Villanova, So.
BIG EAST Honorable Mention
James White, Cincinnati, Sr.; Rashad Anderson, Connecticut, Sr.; Josh Boone, Connecticut, Jr.; Dominic James, Marquette, Fr.; Lamont Hamilton, St. John's, Jr.; Solomon Jones, USF, Sr.
BIG EAST All-Rookie Team
*Devan Downey, Cincinnati; Jeff Adrien, Connecticut; *Wilson Chandler, DePaul; Sam Young, Pittsburgh; * Dominic James, Marquette; Jerel McNeal, Marquette Sharaud Curry, Providence; Geoff McDermott, Providence; J.R. Inman, Rutgers; Anthony Farmer, Rutgers; Eric Devendorf, Syracuse
*denotes unanimous selection
