ALL-TIME BIG EAST TOP 50 PLAYERS, Chris Dokish, Pittsburgh News, Syracuse News, Villanova News

BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #44 – #42

Today we continue our countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of the next four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to #1.

Today we continue with a look at #44, #43 and #42 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

44) Brandin Knight: Pittsburgh – (1999-03) East Orange, NJ

Four seasons: 11.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.3 spg.

Co-Player of the Year (2002)

The player generally considered to be the main reason for the program’s recent string of success. As the point guard, the 6’0” Knight was the first called on to buy into then coach Ben Howland’s team first approach. He did so and every Panthers player since has followed his lead for both Howland and now for former Howland right hand man, Jamie Dixon.

“He’s the Einstein of point guards,” Howland has said of Knight. “His basketball I.Q. is unbelievable. Do you know how great it is to have someone like that play for you?”

In his first season, he led all Big East freshman with 5.5 apg and 2.8 spg, and ranked 5th and 2nd in those categories, respectively. As a junior, he was the 2002 Big East Conference Co-Player of the Year when he averaged 15.6 ppg, 7.2 apg, 4.9 rpg, and 2.4 spg.

Finished his career with 1,440 points and is also is 6th in total assists and 7th in total steals in conference history. But what should be most remembered about Knight is that he’s a winner. When he came to Pitt, the program had eight straight seasons without winning 20 games. During Knight’s last two seasons, the Panthers were 57-11 and ended with Pitt’s first ever Big East tournament championship. He is about to begin his first season as an assistant coach for Pitt.
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43) Randy Foye: Villanova – (2002-06) Newark, NJ

Four years: 15.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 78.1% FT

Player of the Year (2006)

First Team Consensus All-American (2006)

A strong 6’4” guard that could score, defend, and handle the ball with equal skill. Was the 2006 Big East Player of the Year and consensus First Team All-American as a senior, averaging 20.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 spg. Foye was one of four guards who started for the Wildcats, a rarity that did not prevent them from reaching the Elite Eight. In the four games, Foye, who often had to play against much bigger players, averaged 23.7 ppg. In his junior year, Foye averaged 15.5 ppg and led the conference with 67 steals, a 2.1 average.

“When Villanova did try to get by with four guards, it was Foye who made it workable because he was willing and able to defend power forwards,” Mike DeCourcy, national basketball writer of The Sporting News, tells NBE. “He rebounded from that position and he guarded bigger players and he still got to create and score. What’s funny about how that all turned out is the Wildcats won the Big East and nearly reached the Final Four, so no one could complain about the team results. And Randy wound up as a top 10 pick. How many times have we heard a college player complain that he isn’t getting “to play my game”? Skilled players who show they’re winners are always going to be coveted in basketball. No player ever lost money by playing to win.”

For his career he totaled 1,966 points, 625 rebounds, 416 assists, and 198 steals. Drafted seventh overall in the NBA draft, he currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves where in his first two seasons, he is averaging 11.1 ppg.
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42) Hakim Warrick: Syracuse – (2001-05) Philadelphia, PA

Four seasons: 15.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 53.6 FG%.

Player of the Year (2005)

First Team Consensus All-American (2005)

With his long arms and great leaping ability, the 6’8” forward proved to be one of the most dazzling dunkers in conference history. But he was more than just exciting. He proved he was a player, too, by winning Player of the Year and First Team All-American honors in 2005, the latter the first for the school since 1991.

After an uneventful freshman season, Warrick hit his stride as a sophomore, winning the league’s Most Improved Player honor due his 14.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg. He also preserved the Orange’s championship season with a last second block in the championship game. As a junior, his play reached another level with 19.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg, but his best season came in his senior year when he averaged 21.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg.

He finished his career with 2,073 points and 1,024 rebounds. He was an NBA first round draft choice of Memphis and recently finished his third season with the Grizzlies. His current career average is 9.7 ppg.
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Note: The only criteria that was used to compile the list was how well a player performed in college, specifically in the conference, physically as well as the degree of impact he made for his program or the league. NOT taken into consideration was the general popularity of the player, how high he was drafted into the NBA, or even his pro career. Also, no current players are eligible.

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