2017-18 Big East award predictions

The nation's leading rebounder as a junior last season, Angel Delgado will look add to his haul of accolades before calling it a career at Seton Hall. (Photo by Seton Hall University Athletics)

Big East media day takes place Wednesday morning on the Madison Square Garden floor, and in anticipation of the annual get-together at the home of the conference's postseason tournament, we will offer several pieces of content throughout the week. The run up to media day began with our conference preview, where Villanova is highlighted as the team to beat as the Wildcats shoot for a fifth straight regular season championship, and continues on with this set of predictions on who the league will bestow its awards upon at the conclusion of the season in March:

Player of the Year: Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (2016-17 stats: 15.2 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 54% FG)

The 6-foot-10 big man led the nation in rebounding as a junior en route to honorable mention All-American recognition and the Haggerty Award, presented annually to the best player in the New York metropolitan area. Delgado's impact was so noticeable that he tested the professional waters this offseason and looked to be headed for a professional career before a change of heart in May, opting to return to South Orange for one more season. With three of his fellow seniors alongside him for a last go-round at winning an NCAA Tournament game and making a deep run into March, Delgado will only burnish his legacy this season, and will ultimately be recognized as the best player in the conference before he walks off the floor for the last time.

Freshman of the Year: Omari Spellman, Villanova

The 6-foot-9 dynamo was a highly touted recruit for the Wildcats last season, and looked ready to contribute to a team fresh off a buzzer-beating national championship victory before being declared ineligible. The Cleveland native retains all four years of eligibility, and if absence truly makes the heart grow fonder, he will instantly be revered on the Main Line as he steps into the shoes of Darryl Reynolds as Villanova's rim protector.

Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Paschall, Villanova (2016-17 stats: 7.2 PPG, 3.8 PPG, 51% FG)

Once upon a time, Paschall was at Fordham, a former Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year who became the latest in a long line of Tom Pecora recruits to prove his mettle on the collegiate stage. Pecora's dismissal in March of 2015 opened the door for the Westchester native to take his talents to a higher level, and after getting in shape and taking on a role off the bench for Jay Wright, Paschall has become a different player, in essence. With the talent around him, it is not necessary for him to be the gunner he was as a freshman at Fordham, and his more complete game has already blossomed in the Big East. Now a redshirt junior, expect a similar impact in a reserve capacity, one that will enhance the Wildcats' already impressive credentials.

Most Improved Player: Tyrique Jones, Xavier

The vacancies down low for the Musketeers open the door for the 6-foot-9 sophomore to make a greater name for himself after a freshman season in which he averaged over four points per contest while starting 13 games. Kerem Kanter and Sean O'Mara will also see large roles in Xavier's 1-3-1 scheme, but expect Jones to provide just as much of a contribution for Chris Mack, with the uptick in minutes allowing the opportunity to make the most of his time on the floor.

Defensive Player of the Year: Khyri Thomas, Creighton

One of the winners of this award in a rare three-way split last season, the homegrown talent stands to be an even greater piece of the puzzle for the Bluejays this year. Already heralded by the Omaha media for his skill set when the ball is not in his hands, Thomas will make even longer strides on that end while also developing into a primary scorer alongside Marcus Foster in a junior season that is certain to garner him all-league recognition.

Coach of the Year: Chris Mullin, St. John's

While some conferences present this award to the coach who wins the regular season championship, the true meaning of a coach of the year is one who does the most with what is perceived to be the least. Mullin will not be picked near the bottom of the league with St. John's this season, but the Red Storm did finish eighth in the Big East one year ago, and possess the upside to make them a dark horse to contend and perhaps make the NCAA Tournament for the third time this decade, which should be enough to win this honor over the likes of Jay Wright, Kevin Willard and Chris Mack, all of whom have established programs under their watchful eyes.

All-Big East First Team (in alphabetical order)

Trevon Bluiett, Xavier

Jalen Brunson, Villanova

Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall

Angel Delgado, Seton Hall

Shamorie Ponds, St. John's

All-Big East Second Team (in alphabetical order)

Kyron Cartwright, Providence

Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova

Marcus Foster, Creighton

Markus Howard, Marquette

Khyri Thomas, Creighton

Honorable Mention All-Big East (in alphabetical order)

Rodney Bullock, Providence

Marcus LoVett, St. John's

J.P. Macura, Xavier

Kelan Martin, Butler

Desi Rodriguez, Seton Hall

Big East All-Rookie Team (in alphabetical order)
Makai Ashton-Langford, Providence
Theo John, Marquette
Naji Marshall, Xavier
Aaron Thompson, Butler
Omari Spellman, Villanova