Big East awards ceremony

NEW YORK — Despite its worst Big East finish under coach Jamie Dixon, Pitt won the… NEW YORK — Despite its worst Big East finish under coach Jamie Dixon, Pitt won the most awards at the Big East awards ceremony on Tuesday. The Panthers finished 10-8 in the Big East and 22-9 overall, good for seventh place in the league, but the Big East’s coaches named Pitt’s Sam Young the conference’s most improved player, freshman DeJuan Blair co-rookie of the year and senior Ronald Ramon co-sportsman of the year. Young, who averaged 7.2 points and three rebounds in the 2006-07 season, finished third in the Big East in scoring this season. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 18 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. Blair finished his debut campaign with 13 double-doubles to his name. The 6-7 center averaged 12.3 points and 9.5 rebounds a game for the Panthers. Blair shared the top honor for a first-year player with Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn. Ramon, who has played a significant role for Pitt for four seasons, earned the sportsmanship award. West Virginia’s Darris Nichols shared the sportsmanship award with Ramon. Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody earned Big East Player of the Year honors. His coach, Mike Brey, won coach of the year for the second consecutive year. Connecticut’s 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet won Big East Defensive Player of the Year, while Georgetown forward Patrick Ewing Jr. was given the Sixth Man Award.