Jones, Watford Honored By Big Ten

Bloomington – Verdell Jones and Christian Watford have been honored by the Big Ten Conference for their play this season.

Jones was tabbed as an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick by both the conference media and coaches, while Watford was one of five players selected by the coaches to the league’s All-Freshman team.

A 6’4” sophomore, Jones averaged 14.8 points per game this season, ranking him 11th in the conference and second among league underclassmen. Only Northwestern sophomore John Shurna (18.5 points/game) averaged more points among conference freshmen and sophomores. Jones also averaged 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and led Coach Tom Crean’s in minutes (31.3/game), free throws made (137) and free throws attempted (182).

The 6’9” Watford, meanwhile, was a unanimous choice among league coaches for All-Freshman honors, joining Northwestern’s Drew Crawford, Purdue’s Kelsey Barlow, Iowa’s Eric May and Illinois’ D.J. Richardson on the newcomer squad. Richardson was the coaches’ choice for Freshman of the Year honors, while the league media selected Crawford.

Watford averaged 12.1 points and a team-best 6.0 rebounds per game, ranking him first in both categories among Big Ten Freshmen.

In other conference awards, Ohio State’s Evan Turner was the choice by both panels as the league’s Player of the Year, while Purdue’s Matt Painter (coaches) and Ohio State’s Thad Matta (media) split the conference’s Coach of the Year award.

Turner was joined on the first-team All-Big Ten squad by Illinois’ Demtri McCamey, Michigan State’s Kalin Lucas and Purdue’s Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore.

Indiana’s Brett Finkelmeier, meanwhile, was Indiana’s honoree as a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.

2009-10 All-Big Ten Men's Basketball Teams