PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men’s basketball had seven student-athletes named to the 2011-12 BIG EAST All-Academic Team, the conference announced Friday. Among those recognized were returning players Mike Poole (Rosedale, N.Y.), Jerome Seagears (Silver Spring, Md.) and Kadeem Jack (Queens, N.Y.).

The seven selection marked a program high for Rutgers and signaled the second most among league men's basketball teams in 2011-12.

Also earning recognition were 2012 senior graduates Mike Kuhn (Oceanport, N.J.) and Charlie Rigoglioso (Wayne, N.J.). All six seniors to compete under head coach Mike Rice have earned diplomas.

Former players Gilvydas Biruta and Austin Carroll were also named to the 2011-12 BIG EAST All-Academic team.

Nominations for the All-Academic Team are submitted by each of the BIG EAST’s 16 member institutions. To be eligible for the honor, a nominee must have competed in a BIG EAST-sponsored sport, earned a varsity letter, attained a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for the preceding academic year, and completed a minimum of two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters of academic work, with a total of 18 semester or 27 quarter credits, not including remedial courses.

The nominations are reviewed and approved by the BIG EAST Academic Affairs Committee. Rutgers boasted 243 student-athletes on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team. Nineteen RU teams were represented on the list for the 2011-12 academic year.