Seton Hall's Jared Rhoden, Two Jersey Natives Receive Big East Preseason Honors

The Big East Conference held it's men's basketball Media Day on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. As is tradition, preseason honors were announced.

Seton Hall senior wingman, Jared Rhoden, was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team. Rhoden averaged 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds as he started all 27 games as a junior last season. He upped his game when it counted most, averaging 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds and being named to the BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team. Rhoden and the Pirates reached the semifinals.

Rhoden's experience and contribution will go a long way in determining the success of the Pirates' season. Seton Hall was selected fifth in the Big East Men's Basketball Preseason Poll.

Joining Rhoden on the All-Big East Preseason First Team is New Jersey native, Zach Freemantle. A native of Teaneck, NJ, Freemantle is in his junior season at Xavier. Last season, Freemantle emerged as a prime contributor for the Musketeers, averaging 16.1 points per contest. He shared the Big East Most Improved Player award. Freemantle led the conference with 8.9 rebounds per game, 9.5 in Big East games.

Union, New Jersey native R.J. Cole was named to the Preseason All-Big East Second Team. The UConn graduate student averaged 12.2 points and 4.3 assists last season for the Huskies. He is the teams' leading returning scorer. Cole also led the team last season in assists, three-point field goal percentage, assist-to-turnover ratio, steals, and minutes played (714). The Huskies enter the season ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll.

2021-22 Big East Preseason Honors

Preseason Player of the Year: Collin Gillespie, Villanova

Preseason Freshman of the Year: Aminu Mohammed, Georgetown

Preseason All-Big East First Team

Nate Watson, Providence

Julian Champagnie, St. John's

Jared Rhoden, Seton Hall

Paul Scruggs, Xavier

Zach Freemantle, Xavier

Preseason All-Big East Second Team

R.J. Cole, Connecticut

Tyrese Martin, Connecticut

Posh Alexander, St. John's

Justin Moore, Villanova

Jermaine Samuels, Villanova

• Author
• Recent Posts

Gregg Snyder

Gregg has lived in New Jersey is entire life and is a current resident of Somerset County. As a huge sports fan, he is passionate about NJ sports at all levels. The former owner of Double G Sports, Gregg has vast experience in sports media and journalism.

Latest posts by Gregg Snyder (see all)

• Rutgers Women's Basketball Officially Adds 'Rare Talent' Kiyomi McMiller - April 18, 2024
• Jersey Native Sets ACC Freshman Scoring Record - February 29, 2024
• Rutgers Spring Sports Off To Fast Start - February 12, 2024