University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Ben Howland Named Big East Coach of the Year
3/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Ben Howland Named Big East Coach of the Year
3/5/2002
PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh basketball team, ranked seventh in the country, garnered three of the Big East Conference's major awards Tuesday evening in New York City.
Ben Howland was named the Big East Coach of the Year, while Brandin Knight earned Co-Player of the Year honors and the conference's Most Improved Player award. Knight shares the Player of the Year honor with Connecticut's Caron Butler.
Howland's honor is the first ever for a Pittsburgh coach since the Panthers' joined the Big East Conference in 1982-83. Knight's Player of the Year honor is the first since Charles Smith received the award in 1987-88.
In just three years at the helm, Howland has led a resurgence in Pittsburgh basketball and has elevated the program to new heights. With a 25-4 overall record this year, the Panthers are in the midst of one of the best seasons in school history. Pittsburgh has set school records for wins during the regular season (25), in Big East Conference play (13) and at Fitzgerald Field House (15). In addition, Howland, a national coach of the year candidate, has the Panthers headed for their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1993.
The Panthers, who are riding a seven-game winning streak into the Big East Championship, have been ranked among the Top 25 polls for the last seven weeks, peaking at No. 7 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN polls. The ranking marks Pittsburgh's highest since 1987-88 when it peaked at No. 2.
Last year under Howland, Pittsburgh finished with a 19-14 overall record and made a dramatic run to the Big East Championship title game for the first time in school history. The Panthers earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament, their first postseason appearance in four years.
Knight, a native of East Orange, N.J., has been instrumental in Pittsburgh's success this year. He leads Pittsburgh in scoring (15.6 ppg.), assists (6.9 apg.), steals (71 total) and minutes played (36.1 per game). Knight finished the regular season ranked second in the Big East in assists and assist/turnover ratio (2.21). He additionally was third in 3-point field goals made per game (2.83) and fifth in steals (2.45 spg.).
Just a junior, Knight already ranks among Pittsburgh's all-time leaders. He is third in Panther annals with 216 career steals and fourth with 525 assists. With 976 points, Knight is also on the verge of becoming the 28th 1,000-point scorer in school history. With 201 assists this season, Knight is on pace to set a new Pittsburgh single-season record. Darelle Porter holds the mark with 229 assists in the 1989-90 season.
Knight's play has improved significantly since the 2000-01 season. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in 31 games as a sophomore.
The Panthers begin play in the Big East Championship on Thursday, March 7 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. They will face the winner of the Rutgers-Boston College matchup being played March 6 at noon.
