Nerlens Noel again named SEC Freshman of the Week
By UK Athletics
Following a dramatic 75-70 victory at home over Louisiana State University on Saturday, the Wildcats return to the road for two consecutive games beginning at the streaking Ole Miss Rebels on Tuesday. UK captured the win over the Tigers behind freshman Alex Poythress’ first career double-double effort. The first-year player posted a team-high 20 points and snatched a career-best 12 rebounds in the winning effort.
Fellow freshman Nerlens Noel continued his dominating defensive performances with six more blocks against LSU. He has now swatted 34 opponent attempts over the Wildcats’ last five games. Noel earned Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week accolades for the second-consecutive week following another impressive week of play. The Everett, Mass., native is the first multi-winner of the season for the Cats.
Noel averaged nine points, 10.5 rebounds and seven blocks in games against Alabama and LSU last week. He swatted a career-high eight blocks against the Crimson Tide. He then registered six rejections against the Tigers to run his season total to 83 which ranks as the second-most in a single season in UK allure.
With 10 points against LSU he has scored in double-figures in all but one SEC game this season. His 13 boards against the Tide were a high in league competition as well.
Noel has tallied 34 blocks over the team’s last five games while also averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. His .629 field goal percentage tops the team.
The SEC honor is the second of his career after winning the award last week for the first time. He’s the first player in the conference to earn multiple honors this season.
Ole Miss enters Tuesday’s contest with the Wildcats having won nine-straight games, including opening to a 6-0 start in Southeastern Conference action. The Rebels have surged into the top-25 rankings and a tie first place in the SEC.
Scouting Ole Miss
The Rebels enter the meeting with UK owning a 17-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 clip in Southeastern Conference action, their best start in program history. Ole Miss is riding a nine-game winning streak en route to taking over first place in league standings. Ole Miss is paced by 19.2 points per game by SEC scoring-leader Marshall Henderson, while Murphy Holloway averages a double-double with 14.8 points and 10.4 boards per game.
The game begins at 9 p.m. and will be shown on ESPN.
UKAthletics.com is the officials website of the Kentucky Wildcats, with news, schedule, roster and statistics for all University of Kentucky sports.
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