New York, N.Y. - Villanova guard Josh Hart, a senior leader for the Wildcats' 28-3 regular-season record and fourth straight BIG EAST regular-season title, has been selected BIG EAST Player of the Year. Creighton freshman center Justin Patton has been named BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and Butler head coach Chris Holtmann was tabbed BIG EAST Coach of the Year. The winners were selected by a vote of the league's head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players.

Hart, a 6-5 senior from Silver Spring, Md., is considered a top candidate for National Player of the Year honors. Known for his all-around skills and full-throttle playing style, Hart has averaged 18.6 points and 6.5 rebounds going into this week's BIG EAST Tournament. He is first in the BIG EAST in scoring with an 18.6 average. In league games, he won the BIG EAST scoring crown with an 18.2 mark. His 6.5 rebound average in all games ranks fourth in the league. He is sixth in steals at 1.5 and ninth in assist/turnover ratio at 1.7. He is one of only two players in Villanova history to amass at least 1,800 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists and 150 steals. The other Wildcat to reach those milestones is Kerry Kittles, who was the BIG EAST Player of the Year in 1994-95. Hart won the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player as a sophomore in the 2015 BIG EAST Tournament. He is the first BIG EAST player to win the Dave Gavitt Trophy before earning BIG EAST Player of the Year honors.

BIG EAST Player of the Year
Josh Hart, Villanova

BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Justin Patton, Creighton

BIG EAST Coach of the Year
Chris Holtmann, Butler