USF's Jones earns 4th BE Rookie of the Week

On Monday, Bulls freshman guard Dominique Jones earned BIG EAST Conference Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season, and second time in last three weeks. While making a strong push for the BE Rookie of the Year.

On Monday the Big East announced that a pair of familiar names took home the weekly men's basketball honors from the BIG EAST Conference as USF freshman guard Dominique Jones was tabbed BIG EAST Rookie of the Week for the fourth time, and Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody earned Player of the Week honors for the third time this season.

The exciting USF freshman averaged 24.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two games during the week for the Bulls. He scored 31 points in a 79-75 loss to Seton Hall. In a 54-52 win at Rutgers, the first road win for USF in three seasons of BIG EAST play, Jones finished with 17 points and scored the game’s winning basket.

This is the second time in less then three weeks that Jones was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week. He was also tabbed on February 18^th after he averaged 22.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in two games. He scored 29 points in an 89-78 win against Syracuse, including 10 consecutive free throws in the last 1:24 to clinch the win. He added 16 points in an overtime loss to Connecticut, including a go-ahead basket with six seconds left in the extra period

Jones was also named the BE rookie of the Week on Dec 3rd after averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals in two victories. The Lake Wales, native scored a career-high 30 points in a 75-67 win against Central Florida, going 10-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and scored 14 points in a 77-69 win at Florida International.

The week after Jones was named The Sporting News National Player of the Week as well as the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week for the second consecutive week on Dec. 10. Jones averaged 27.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals in wins over Richmond and UAB, shooting 61.5 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3-point range and 86.4 percent from the foul line in the two games. Jones had 30 points and 14 boards in the victory at Richmond and 25 points and six rebounds against the Blazers

Jones is a serious contender for BIG EAST Rookie of the Year honors. During conference play, Jones is putting up 17.4 points per game. He ranks 6th in scoring, 6th in 3-point field goal percentage (36.4), 7th in free throw percentage (79.2), tied for 8th in 3-point field goals made (2.00) and tied for 6th in minutes played (36.44). Jones is the top freshman scorer in conference play, 0.8 points per game ahead of Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and 1.2 ahead of Syracuse’s Donte Greene

Greene and Jones both have earned BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honor four times, and lead the conference this season.  In the two head to head matchups with Greene, Jones has outscored Greene by an average of seven points (26 ppg to 19 ppg), while shooting better from the field (44.7% to 44.8%), 3-point range (35.7% to 33.3%) and free throw line (83.3% to 75.0%). He also has more assists (5 to 1) and steals (4 to 2) and 11 fewer turnovers (1 to 12). The 6-9 Green had more rebounds (18 to 6) and blocks (4 to 3).

Harangody averaged 32.0 points and 10.5 rebounds, while shooting at a 58.7 clip from the field in a 1-1 week for the Irish. Harangody scored 40 points -- the most by a BIG EAST player this season -- in a 90-85 loss at Louisville, In a 98-91 victory at DePaul, the sophomore posted 24 points and nine rebounds. In league play, Harangody is first in the BIG EAST in scoring (23.6) and rebounding (11.8).

BIG EAST Honor Roll
Jeff Adrien, Connecticut, F, Jr.
Averaged 22.0 points and 10.5 rebounds, while registering a pair of double-doubles in a 2-0 week.

Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, C, Sr.
Averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in a 2-0 week. He shot 63.2 percent from the floor.

David Padgett, Louisville, C, Sr.
Averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while shooting 72.2 percent in a 2-0 week. Had a season-high 26 points against Notre Dame.

Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Jr.
Helped the Panthers to a 2-0 week by averaging 19.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals. Made a key steal in an 82-77 win at Syracuse and shot 57.1 percent from the floor for the two games.

Joe Alexander, West Virginia, F, Jr.
Averaged 24.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in a 1-1 week. Scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 79-71 loss at Connecticut.

Talk about it On USFNation.com Message Boards

USFNation.com - Get it First, Get it Fast!