AWARD SEASON
Best of the area’s 2016-17 college hoops
FOR FAR too many casual fans, college basketball season is now just beginning. While the NCAA Tournament and upcoming conference tournaments are more enthralling than anything in sports, the regular season also remains riveting, with the Metropolitan Area providing a look at multiple teams and stars who could soon barge into the Big Dance.
But before we move forward, let’s take a look back, with this season’s Courting the Area award winners: HAGGERTY AWARD (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Angel Delgado (Seton Hall): With Isaiah Whitehead gone, Delgado took a massive leap as a junior, averaging 15.7 points — nearly six more than last season — while leading the nation in rebounding (13.1). The 6-foot-10 Dominican is second in the country with 22 double-doubles and is on pace to set the Big East’s all-time single-season rebounding record. Honorable mention: Justin Robinson (Monmouth), Shamorie Ponds (St. John’s), Marcus LoVett (St. John’s), Khadeen Carrington (Seton Hall)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jeff Boals (Stony Brook): After reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time last March, Stony Brook’s rebuilding was supposed to begin, with star Jame el W arney, longtime coach Steve Pikiell and the rest of the team’s core gone. The Seawolves were picked to f in- ish seventh in the America East, but first-year head coach Jeff Boals kept them in contention after a slow start, leading an unproven roster to a surprising second-place f inish in the conference. Honorable mention: King Rice (Monmouth), John Dunne (St. Peter’s), Jack Perri (LIU Brooklyn)
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Monmouth: Even without the bench theatrics stealing the national spotlight, King Rice’s crew takes home the top prize for the second straight year. Monmouth steamrolled through the MAAC to win another regular season title and reeled off one of the nation’s longest winning streaks, led by star guard Justin Robinson. Few Goliaths will feel comfortable matched up against the seniorheavy Hawks in the big bracket. Honorable mention: Seton Hall, Stony Brook, LIU Brooklyn
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Sh a morie Ponds/ Marcus LoVett (St.
John’s): It’s only appropriate the Red Storm’s starring backcourt (right) share the honor, having spent much of the season alternating as the team’s most electric player. The young guards became two of the Big East’s best playmakers — combining for more than 34 points, along with 7.1 assists and 3.4 steals — while showing strong chemistry, con-
tent to allow each other to shine.
Honorable mention: Mike Smith (Columbia), Eli Pemberton (Hofstra), Jashaun Agosto (LIU Brooklyn)
MOST IMPROVED
Justin Wright-Foreman
(Hofstra): As a freshman, Wright-Foreman averaged 4.1 minutes and 1.6 points. As a sophomore, the Queens native became the nation’s most improved scorer. He unexpectedly became the Pride’s go-to guy this season, averaging 17.9 points while shooting over 50 percent from the field. He has averaged 26.3 points over the past 10 games. Honorable mention: Lucas Woodhouse (Stony Brook), Angel Delgado (Seton Hall), Nate Hickman (Columbia)
UNDER THE RADAR AWARD
Jerome Frink (LIU Brooklyn): LIU Brooklyn’s senior (left) deserves a little recognition before finishing his career. Frink, a 6-foot-7 forward, has scored in double-figures in all but two games this season, carrying the Blackbirds to second-place in the Northeast Conference with a team-best 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. In the early season upset of St. John’s, Frink posted 20 points and 12 rebounds. Honorable mention: Joseph Chartouny (Fordham), Zane Waterman (Manhattan), Luke Petrasek (Columbia)
BEST WIN
Wagner over UConn (Nov. 11): It has lost some luster, with the Huskies now barely hovering above .500, but the small Staten Island school will remember this upset of the four-time national champions for a long time. With the 67-58 win over thenNo .18 U Conn, the Sea hawks became the first team to beat the Huskies in a seasonopener on their campus. Honorable mention: Fordham over VCU, St. John’s over Butler, LIU Brooklyn over St. John’s, Monmouth over Memphis