NEW YORk, N.Y. - Villanova sophomore guard Josh Hart (Silver Spring, Ma.) is the BIG EAST Conference's Sixth Man of the Year.

Hart is the second Wildcats' player to earn Sixth Man of the Year honors from the conference, joining Corey Fisher (2009) in that category.

In addition, Providence guard Kris Dunn and St. John's guard-forward Sir'Dominic Pointer have been named winners of the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year award by a vote of the league's head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.

The league also announced that Pointer has won the BIG EAST Most Improved Player award. Alex Barlow of Butler has been named the winner of the BIG EAST Sportsmanship award.

Hart has been a key contributor to Villanova's outstanding season. The Wildcats are 29-2 overall, 16-2 in the BIG EAST and the No. 1 seed in this week's BIG EAST Tournament. A 6-5 sophomore, Hart is averaging 9.7 points, while playing 25.4 minutes per game. He ranks second in the BIG EAST in 3-point shooting, making 44.2 percent. He is ninth in field goal shooting, connecting at a 48.5 percent clip.

Dunn, a 6-3 sophomore, helped the Friars to a 21-10 overall record and an 11-7 BIG EAST mark. He is the first player in league history to lead the league in steals and assists in BIG EAST play in the same season. His steals average is 2.8 in league competition and in all games. His steals average ranks fourth nationally. Dunn is also averaging 5.6 rebounds per game.

Like Dunn, the 6-6 Pointer is an all-around contributor who is a lock-down defender. He ranks third in the league in steals with a 2.0 average and is third in the BIG EAST in blocked shots with a 2.5 average. Pointer is averaging 7.6 rebounds, which ranks fourth in the BIG EAST. St. John's is also 21-10 overall and 10-8 in the conference. Dunn and Pointer meet in the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. when No. 4 seed Providence plays No. 5 seed St. John's.

Pointer has additional credentials that make him deserving of the Most Improved Player award. He increased his scoring average from 5.9 last year to 13.7 this season. His rebound average bumped up from 3.2 to 7.6. Last year, his field goal percentage was .438. This year it is .526, fifth in the BIG EAST.

Barlow has been the floor leader for a Butler team that has compiled a 22-9 overall record and a 12-6 BIG EAST mark. Originally a walk-on, Barlow has had his perseverance and clean play help define his career. A 5-11 senior, he won the BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete award for men's basketball last season. This season, on the court he is averaging 8.8 points. He is a finalist for the 2014-15 Senior CLASS Award.