In a significant week for BIG EAST men’s basketball, Alex Karaban of UConn and Acaden Lewis from Villanova earned prestigious honors for their performances. Karaban was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week, while Lewis took home Freshman of the Week honors.
Alex Karaban: BIG EAST Player of the Week
Karaban, a redshirt senior forward, played a crucial role in UConn’s successful 2-0 week, averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He showcased remarkable shooting skills, connecting on 68.2% of his field-goal attempts, including 66.7% from three-point territory.
- Best Performance: On November 15, he scored 21 points in a victory against No. 7 BYU.
- Season Stats: Karaban’s contributions included 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game over the week.
- Achievements: He also scored 20 points in a prior game against Columbia on November 10.
Acaden Lewis: Freshman of the Week
Lewis, a freshman guard from Washington, D.C., averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and an impressive 7.0 assists for Villanova during their 2-0 week. He excelled as a playmaker, helping his team achieve victory.
- Top Game: Lewis had a standout performance against Duquesne on November 15, scoring 19 points.
- Assists Record: On November 11, he dished out a season-high eight assists against Sacred Heart.
- Season Contribution: He is currently averaging 5.3 assists per game, ranking second in the BIG EAST.
BIG EAST Honor Roll Highlights
Several other players also made notable contributions this week:
- Finley Bizjack, Butler: Averaged 20.0 points and 5.0 assists, with a high of 22 points against Chicago State.
- Chase Ross, Marquette: Scored 23.5 points per game, highlighted by a career-high 31 points against Maryland.
- Jason Edwards, Providence: Recorded 19.0 points, including a standout game with 24 points at Colorado.
- KJ Lewis, Georgetown: Averaged 23.0 points and had a career-high 26 points against Clemson.
- Bryce Lindsay, Villanova: Contributed 22.5 points, with a season-high 27 points and a record-setting nine 3-pointers.
These performances highlight the competitive nature of the BIG EAST conference, showcasing emerging talent and established players making significant impacts on their teams.
