Big East Women's Basketball Awards; UConn's Kelly Faris Top Defender

The Big East announced most of its postseason awards on Thursday, including UConn's Kelly Faris as defensive player of the year and most improved player. Stefanie Dolson and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis of UConn were named to the first team. The player and coach of the year will be announced on Friday in conjunction with the start of the postseason tournament:

Defensive Player of the Year

Kelly Faris, UConn, Sr., G

Sixth Man Award

Carmen Tyson-Thomas, Syracuse, Sr., G

Most Improved Player

Faris, UConn, Sr., G

Brittany Hrynko, DePaul, So., G

Sportsmanship Award

Anna Martin, DePaul, Sr., G

First Team

Stefanie Dolson, UConn, Jr., C

*Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, UConn, So., F

Brittany Hrynko, DePaul, So., G

Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown, Sr., G

Shoni Schimmel, Louisville, Jr., G

Natalie Achonwa, Notre Dame, Jr., F

*Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame, Sr., G

Kayla McBride, Notre Dame, Jr., G

Nadirah McKenith, St. John's, Sr., G

Shenneika Smith, St. John's, Sr., G

*Andrea Smith, USF, Sr., G

Kayla Alexander, Syracuse, Sr., C

Second Team

Dayeesha Hollins, Cincinnati, R-Jr., G

Faris, UConn, Sr., G

Katherine Harry, DePaul, Sr., F

Anna Martin, DePaul, Sr. G

Antonita Slaughter, Louisville, Jr., G

Katherine Plouffe, Marquette, Jr., F

Symone Roberts, Providence, Sr., G

Brittany Morris, Seton Hall, Sr., G

Andrell Smith, USF, Sr., G

Laura Sweeney, Villanova, Sr., F

Honorable Mention

Bria Hartley, UConn, Jr., G

Breanna Stewart, UConn, Fr., F

Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame, Fr., G

Brianna Kiesel, Pittsburgh, So., G

Erica Wheeler, Rutgers, Sr., G

All-Freshman Team

Moriah Jefferson, UConn, Fr., G

*Breanna Stewart, UConn, Fr., F

Chanise Jenkins, DePaul, R-Fr., G

Brooklyn Pumroy, Marquette, Fr., G

*Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame, Fr., G

*Aliyyah Handford, St. John's, Fr., G

Kahleah Copper, Rutgers, Fr., G

Brianna Butler, Syracuse, Fr., G

*Brittney Sykes, Syracuse, Fr., G

Alisia Jenkins, USF, Fr., F

*Unanimous selection