UConn coach Dan Hurley and freshman guard Stephon Castle took home hardware Wednesday afternoon before the start of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
Tristen Newton did not.
Hurley was named the league’s Coach of the Year while Castle was a no-brainer choice for Freshman of the Year. Hurley becomes the first Husky head man to earn the honor since Jim Calhoun following the 1997-98 season. Castle is the first UConn player to nab the Big East freshman award since Rudy Gay, who shared it with Georgetown’s Jeff Green, in 2004-05.
Daniel Hamilton was named rookie of the year for the American Athletic Conference in 2014-15.
Newton, arguably UConn’s most vital piece, was a unanimous choice for All-Big East first team honors but Player of the Year ultimately went to Providence guard Devin Carter.
Castle averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 assists during the regular season. Newton led the team in scoring (15 ppg), rebounding (7.1) and assists (5.8).
