Our 2005-2006 All-Big East Ballot

On Tuesday over at the Big East Basketball Report the collection of Big East bloggers will hand out virtual hardware to the conference's outsanding performers. Each blogger was asked to submit a POY and ROY, along with a first, second and third team for all-Big East, and two teams for all-rookie.

Please note that POY and ROY selections were submitted in addition to the five player teams. For instance, we selected Novak as the POY so he did not appear on our first-team listing. Trust me, it will make sense on Tuesday.

Here's ballot that Cracked Sidewalks submitted:

Conference POY: Steve Novak (20.4ppg, 7.1 rpg in conference play. Led league in FT%. Set new Big East 3-point record while leading league's surprise team. Scored 20 or more points 9 times in conference play -- and delivered the greatest individual performance in Big East history)

Rookie of the Year: Dominic James (easiest selection on the entire ballot)

Coach of the Year: Tom Crean (4th place finish despite seven newcomers and several key injuries, including losing one starter for half of conference play. Pre-season pick to finish 12th)

Defensive POY: Eric Hicks (premier shotblocker and enforcer in nation's toughest league)

Most Improved Player: Aaron Gray (went from Erin Gray to Aaron Gray in just one season)

First Team:
Eric Hicks (toughest player in the Big East)
Quincy Douby (insane scorer could have used more help)
Randy Foye (best guard in the nation's best backcourt)
Aaron Gray (led league in double-doubles)
Rudy Gay (up and down player with incredible versatility)

Second Team:
Dominic James (could be Big East's top returning scorer if Douby goes pro)
Allen Ray (solid senior.....clutch performer)
Mike Gansey (the Steve Novak of Morgantown)
Chris Quinn (gutty guard who scored and dished)
Kevin Pittsnogle (if he had a few more tattoos, he'd be on the first team)

Third Team:
Marcus Williams (played better week by week upon his return)
Donald Copeland (McNamara wishes he was as good as Cope)
Jeff Green (JTIII's most productive player)
Josh Boone (thought he was a shoe-in for the first team back in November)
Kelly Whitney (talented forward was $$ for the Pirates all season)

Big East All-Rookie First Team
Wilson Chandler (played great after his suspension)
Jerel McNeal (fearless player)
Wesley Matthews (closed strong despite early injury)
Geoff McDermott (tough as nails strongman)
Eric Devendorf (played with the savvy and moxie of an upper classman)

Big East All-Rookie Second Team
Sharaud Curry (biggest rookie surprise?)
Anthony Farmer (underrated backcourt leader)
JR Inman (injury robbed him of a complete season)
Jeff Adrien (under-recruited -- but a force as a freshman)
Devan Downey (played his best before conference play began)