Kolek Named BIG EAST’s Top Player, Smart Coach of The Year
3/8/2023 11:26:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BIG EAST ReleaseShaka Smart BIG EAST COY Presser (YouTube)Tyler Kolek BIG EAST POY Presser (YouTube)
Golden Eagles top seed in league tourney
Guard Tyler Kolek has been named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and Shaka Smart has been tabbed the BIG EAST Coach of the Year, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon.
Kolek, who was named All-BIG EAST First Team on Sunday, is the fifth player in school history to claim league player of the year accolades. He joins Jim McIlvaine (1993-94, Great Midwest Conference), Dwyane Wade (2002-03, Conference USA), Jae Crowder (2011-12, BIG EAST) and Markus Howard (2018-19, BIG EAST). Kolek is the first player since Providence's Kris Dunn in 2014-15 (shared with Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono) to earn the accolade after not receiving preseason recognition at the league's annual media day.
Smart, who is in his 14th season as head coach, was honored for the first time in his career as the league's top coach. He was a unanimous selection by his coaching peers after guiding MU to the regular season title following its ninth-place selection in the preseason poll. Kevin O'Neill (GMC - 1992-93 and 1993-94) and Tom Crean (C-USA – 2001-02, 2002-03) are the only Marquette coaches to previously claim a conference award.
Marquette began conference affiliation in 1989-90 when it joined the Midwestern Collegiate Conference from the independent ranks.
Earlier this week, Kolek (All-BIG EAST First Team), Oso Ighodaro (All-BIG EAST Second Team) and Kam Jones (All-BIG EAST Second Team) were also honored in voting conducted by the league's head coaches. Sophomore David Joplin was also presented the BIG EAST Sixth Man Award.
Marquette (25-6, 17-3 BIG EAST) earned its first-ever outright BIG EAST regular season title in 2022-23 and is the No. 1 seed in the upcoming league tournament. MU opens quarterfinal play on Thursday, March 9 at 11 a.m. CT against the Butler/St. John's winner.
Keep up with the Marquette men's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMBB) and Instagram (@marquette.basketball) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMensBB). Fans interested in tickets can contact the Marquette Ticket Office online or at 414-288-GOMU (4668).
Kolek, who was named All-BIG EAST First Team on Sunday, is the fifth player in school history to claim league player of the year accolades. He joins Jim McIlvaine (1993-94, Great Midwest Conference), Dwyane Wade (2002-03, Conference USA), Jae Crowder (2011-12, BIG EAST) and Markus Howard (2018-19, BIG EAST). Kolek is the first player since Providence's Kris Dunn in 2014-15 (shared with Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono) to earn the accolade after not receiving preseason recognition at the league's annual media day.
Smart, who is in his 14th season as head coach, was honored for the first time in his career as the league's top coach. He was a unanimous selection by his coaching peers after guiding MU to the regular season title following its ninth-place selection in the preseason poll. Kevin O'Neill (GMC - 1992-93 and 1993-94) and Tom Crean (C-USA – 2001-02, 2002-03) are the only Marquette coaches to previously claim a conference award.
Marquette began conference affiliation in 1989-90 when it joined the Midwestern Collegiate Conference from the independent ranks.
Earlier this week, Kolek (All-BIG EAST First Team), Oso Ighodaro (All-BIG EAST Second Team) and Kam Jones (All-BIG EAST Second Team) were also honored in voting conducted by the league's head coaches. Sophomore David Joplin was also presented the BIG EAST Sixth Man Award.
Marquette (25-6, 17-3 BIG EAST) earned its first-ever outright BIG EAST regular season title in 2022-23 and is the No. 1 seed in the upcoming league tournament. MU opens quarterfinal play on Thursday, March 9 at 11 a.m. CT against the Butler/St. John's winner.
Keep up with the Marquette men's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMBB) and Instagram (@marquette.basketball) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMensBB). Fans interested in tickets can contact the Marquette Ticket Office online or at 414-288-GOMU (4668).
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