Saint Joseph’s Shavar Newkirk and No. 1 Villanova’s Josh Hart have been named the Big 5 Co-player’s of the week for Dec. 12.
In St. Joe’s only game last week, Newkirk had a game-high 27 points, and a game-winning three-point play that led the Hawks to a 72-71 win over Drexel. The junior scored the team's final 11 points of the game, which started with a jumper at 4:27 that tied the game at 63-63.
On the season, Newkirk is averaging 21.1 points per game, which ranks third in the Atlantic 10. He has scored 20 or more points in all but two games this season for the 4-4 Hawks.
The other Big 5 player of the week, Josh Hart, could actually end up being the national player of the year. Hart had 21 points and eight rebounds during Villanova’s 89-79 win over rival La Salle this past Tuesday.
Against No. 23 Notre Dame on Saturday, the senior had 37 points and 11 rebounds to help lead 'Nova to a 74-66 comeback win. Hart was the only Wildcat to score in double figures, and he made all 14 of his free-throw attempts.
Hart has been a major key to Villanova’s undefeated season thus far, averaging 19.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.