Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway knows who he’s voting for in the Big East Player of the Year race.
After St. John’s wing R.J. Luis went for 21 points and 6 rebounds as the Red Storm clinched the program’s first outright Big East regular-season title in 40 years with a 71-61 victory, Holloway proclaimed his choice for the award.
“Nobody talks about R.J. Luis. He should be Big East Player of the Year and it ain’t even close,” Holloway said. “And I’m not knocking anybody else on their team, because obviously Kadary [Richmond]’s great. He was great for me, he’s great for them. But I think what [Luis] brings to their team is how they win games. And he did it today.”
The Player of the Year figures to come down to Luis and Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Luis is averaging 17.8 points and 6.9 rebounds for the first-place Red Storm, while Kalkbrenner averages 19.1 points and 8.8 boards for Creighton, which is tied for second place, 3 1/2 games back of the Red Storm.
“Winning the award would be a blessing but I can’t do it without my team,” Luis said.
Asked his thoughts on the matter, Pitino said Friday: “I would say it’s probably if, from speaking to people, it’s a lock for RJ.”
Pitino also said there was a “possibility” Luis could return next season after testing the NBA Draft waters.
The Player and Coach of the Year -- where Pitino is the overwhelming favorite -- will be announced March 12, the first day of the Big East Tournament.
Pitino acknowledged that coaches could split their votes among various St. John’s players and that could “hurt” them.
“I think Zuby [Ejiofor] is the most valuable player, RJ may be the most outstanding player, and Kadary may be the most clutch player, getting the clutch rebound, the clutch score, the clutch pass,” Pitino said.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.