Sam Young Big East Player Of Week

Pitt senior forward Sam Young made his case to be the Big East Player of the Year with a second Conference honor as player of the week.

In Pittsburgh wins against No. 1 Connecticut (70-60) and No. 13 Marquette (90-75) this past week, Sam Young averaged 24.5 points and nine rebounds per game, shot 57.1 percent (20-35) from the floor and converted 62.5 percent (5-8) from 3-point range.

In a spectacular performance Saturday against UConn, Young scored a game-high 31 points (13-23 field goals) and grabbed 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Against Marquette, Young finished with 18 points (7-12 FG) and eight rebounds. He also set the school's career record for most games played with 138.

Young earns Big East Player of the Week honors for the third time in his career and second time this season. He was also named Big East Player of the Week Nov. 19, 2007 and Jan. 26, 2009.

Young also was named a first-team All-Big East selection by the Conference's coaches with Pitt sophomore center DeJuan Blair. Senior point guard Levance Fields was selected to the third team.

The individual awards will be named Tuesday night by the Big East, and Young should be among the favorites for Player of the Year with Blair, last year's winner Luke Harangody from Notre Dame, Terrence Williams from Louisville and Hasheem Thabeet from UConn.