Jackson Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year

NEW YORK – Rick Jackson, Syracuse's senior forward, has been named BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league's head coaches. Jackson led the BIG EAST in rebounding average (9.9) and blocked shot average (2.83).

Jackson joins two-time recipient Etan Thomas as the only Syracuse performers to earn the recognition.

Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

Jackson is the first Syracuse player to win the BIG EAST rebounding title since Derrick Coleman in 1989-90. Jackson also averaged a league-leading 7.2 defensive rebounds game. Over the course of 31 regular-season games (including non-conference), Jackson has averaged 13.1 points and 10.7 rebounds.

The league also announced that St. John's guard Dwight Hardy is the BIG EAST Most Improved Player. Hardy's teammate, forward Justin Burrell, is the winner of the BIG EAST Sixth Man Award. Pittsburgh guard Brad Wanamaker won the BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award.

Hardy helped St. John's return to a contender's role in the BIG EAST standings. The 6-2 senior finished fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 17.9 ppg. Though not named to any of the Preseason All-BIG EAST teams, he earned an All-BIG EAST First Team selection. The native of the Bronx, N.Y., helped the Red Storm end the regular season by winning nine of their last 11 games.

Burrell, a 6-8 senior, is also from the Bronx, N.Y. He was a key contributor off the bench in helping the Red Storm to a 20-10 overall record and a 12-6 BIG EAST mark. Burrell averaged 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds while playing 22.8 minutes per game. He shot 51.1 percent from the field.

Wanamaker has been an exemplary performer for Pittsburgh. He guided the Panthers to the BIG EAST regular-season title with a 15-3 record. Overall, Pitt is 27-4. An all-around contributor, the senior captain from Philadelphia, Pa., averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals in all games. His assist/turnover ratio of 2.3 was third in the BIG EAST.

Syracuse finished fourth in the BIG EAST Conference and earned a double-bye in the tournament. The Orange begins its quest for the BIG EAST title on Thursday, March 10, at 2:00 p.m.

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year

Rick Jackson, Syracuse

BIG EAST Most Improved Player

Dwight Hardy, St. John's

BIG EAST Sixth Man Award

Justin Burrell, St. John's

BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award

Brad Wanamaker, Pittsburgh