Four Big East players named to USBWA Midseason Watch Lists

The USBWA released its midseason watch lists for the Oscar Robertson and Wayman Tisdale Awards on Monday afternoon, and four Big East players were named.

Villanova guard Josh Hart and Butler forward Kelan Martin appeared on the Oscar Robertson Award watch list. The Oscar Robertson Award is given to the best overall player in college basketball.

Hart leads the Big East in scoring at 19.2 points per game, and is the only player in the conference in the top ten in scoring, rebounding (6.5, fifth), and assists per game (3.6, eighth.

Martin leads Butler in scoring at 16.7 points per game, and is tied with Tyler Wideman for the team lead in rebounding at 5.4 per game.

Additionally, two Big East players appear on the Waymon Tisdale Award watch list: Creighton’s Justin Patton and St. John’s Shamorie Ponds. The Waymon Tisdale Award is given to the nation’s best freshman.

Patton leads the conference in field goal percentage at .718, which is fourth in the nation. His 13.7 points per game is third amongst Big East freshmen, and his 6.5 rebounds per game leads Big East freshmen.

Ponds is ninth in the Big East in scoring at 16.7 points per game, and tied for the lead amongst Big East freshmen with his Red Storm teammate, Marcus LoVett.

The Oscar Robertson Award will be presented on March 31, while the Waymon Tisdale Award presentation is to be determined. For the full watch lists, click HERE.