SEC Player of the Week – Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr., a 6-foot-10, 280-pound graduate senior from Saginaw, Mich., had 17 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks in leading the Bulldogs to a win over Rutgers in the Gotham Classic. Bell earned Gotham Classic Game MVP honors after shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. The 17 points were a season-high while the 18 rebounds were a career mark.
SEC Freshman of the Week – Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard, a 6-foot-3, 187-pound freshman from London, Ky., notched his first double-double of his career with 11 points and 11 assists in UK’s win at Louisville. The 11 assists are the most ever for a Wildcat against Louisville. He also had two steals, extending his streak of at least two steals in every game this season.