NEW YORK – Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese mentioned at the beginning of the Big East… NEW YORK – Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese mentioned at the beginning of the Big East Awards Reception last night that preseason rankings are relatively meaningless.

Aaron Gray is a perfect example of that.

Voted by the Big East coaches to be the Preseason Big East Player of the Year, Gray was trumped by Georgetown’s Jeff Green for the post-season honor.

But Gray didn’t go away empty handed. The 7-foot senior and NBA prospect was named Big East Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was one of six individual players to be honored at the reception inside the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

One year after Gray earned the title of the Big East’s Most Improved Player, Providence’s Herbert Hill took home this year’s award.

Tranghese also announced: Notre Dame’s Mike Brey as Big East Coach of the Year; Marquette’s Jerel McNeal as Big East Defensive Player of the Year; Louisville’s Brandon Jenkins as the recipient of the Big East Sportsmanship Award. Pitt will play its first game in the Big East Tournament Thursday at 9 p.m. The Panthers will face the winner of Wednesday’s Marquette-St. John’s game.