Noel makes it three in a row

Kentucky's Nerlens Noel made it three consecutive SEC Freshman of the Week awards on Monday when the league honored him for his performances at Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

Noel averaged 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and seven blocks in wins over the Rebels and Aggies. He began the week with a 12-block performance in an 87-74 upset of No. 16 Ole Miss, setting a new UK single-game record for rejections.

He followed that with perhaps his best offensive performance of the season, posting a career-high 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a 72-68 overtime win over Texas A&M.

Noel is the first player since John Wall in the 2010 season to earn the award three straight weeks. Wall was named SEC Freshman of the week four straight times that season.

Kentucky returns to Rupp Arena on Tuesday in a 9 p.m. ET tipoff against South Carolina on ESPNU.