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

BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #14 & #13

Today we return to the 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 four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to the #1 Big East player of all-time.

Today we continue with a look at #14 and #13 on our list. We will continue to unveil two players a day over these final two weeks to conclude our look at the top 50.

Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

14) Alonzo Mourning: Georgetown - (1988-92) Chesapeake, VA

Four years: 16.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 3.8 bpg, 56.6% FG, 75.4% FT

Defensive Player of the Year (1989)

Defensive Player of the Year (1990)

Defensive Player of the Year (1992)

Player of the Year (1992)

Second Team Consensus All-American (1990)

First Team Consensus All-American (1992)

At the time he entered Georgetown, he was considered “the next Patrick Ewing”. While he failed short of that nearly impossible achievement, his combination of offense, rebounding, and defense still places him among the best centers in NCAA history.

As a freshman, Mourning earned his first triple double in only his third game and went on to average 13.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg, while shooting an amazingly efficient 60.3% from the field. But even more impressive was the then-NCAA record 169 blocks, an average of 5.0 a game. His 71 Big East blocks is still the best and his 169 blocks on the season is the 8th best shot blocking season in NCAA history, 2nd best as a freshman. As a sophomore, his block totals dropped to 2.2 bpg, but his offensive numbers rose to 16.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg. A bad foot injury during his junior year led his numbers to drop to 15.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and 2.4 bpg. Healthy again as a senior, Mourning put together the best year of his college career earning Player of the Year honors as well as being named a First Team All-American. Excellent in every facet of the game, Mourning averaged 21.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 5.0 bpg, and even 1.7 apg. From the field, he shot 59.5%. His 93 Big East blocks is still a record as are his 156 free throws and 204 free throw attempts.

“He was the reason why I played in the Big East,” former Boston College star Bill Curley tells NBE. “I thought he was the best big man in the country when I came out of high school and I wanted to play against him. And I was right. He was awesome.”

For his career, Mourning accumulated 2,001 points and 1,032 rebounds, and he is 4th all-time in NCAA history for blocks. In the conference, Mourning’s 224 blocks are 3rd best, while he is also 2nd all-time in made free throws.

Selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the second overall pick in the NBA draft, Mourning played 15 seasons with Charlotte, Miami, and New Jersey, and was selected to seven all-star games.
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13) Ed Pinckney: Villanova - (1981-85) Bronx, NY

Four years: 14.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.0 bpg, 1.5 spg, 60.4% FG, 72.3% FT

NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1985)

An excellent player who may have been slightly overlooked if it wasn’t for a miracle 1985 run to the NCAA Championship over a magnificent Georgetown team. Pinckney went head to head in the final against legendary Patrick Ewing and had 16 points and 6 rebounds to Ewing’s 14 points and 5 rebounds. But even though that was the last game of Pinckney’s college career, he proved himself long before that.

As a freshman, he was mentored by fellow Villanova great John Pinone and he responded with 14.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.6 spg, and incredible 64.0% from the field, the 5th highest freshman percentage in NCAA history. As a sophomore, the point production for the 6’9” center dropped to 12.5 ppg, but his rebound totals rose to 9.7 rpg. Throw in 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.1 bpg, 56.8% from the floor, and 76.0% from the line and it was another excellent all around season. As a junior, his consistency was again on display with another similar season. This time, Pinckney averaged 15.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.9 bpg, and 60.4% from the field. Once again proving his amazing consistency, Pinckney’s senior season saw him average 15.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg, and 1.8 bpg, all while shooting 60.0% from the field.

His final career totals were 1,865 points and 1,107 rebounds, and he is also 12th in rebounds and 16th in blocks in Big East games. Taken by the Phoenix Suns with the tenth overall pick in the draft, Pinckney played 12 seasons in the NBA, averaging 6.8 ppg for his career. He spent the past season as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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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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