Men's Basketball Players of the Week: Jan. 23

SEC Player of the Week

 Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky

Tshiebwe, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound senior from Lubumbashi, D.R. of the Congo, averaged 22 points and 20.5 rebounds in wins over Georgia and Texas A&M. He poured in a career-high 37 points and added 24 rebounds in a come-from-behind win against Georgia. He now has five of the seven games of 20 or more points and at least 18 rebounds by an SEC player in the last 10 seasons. He followed that up with a 17-rebound effort against Texas A&M. Tshiebwe converted 60 percent (15-of-25) of his field goals on the week.

SEC Freshman of the Week

 Julian Phillips, Tennessee

Phillips, a 6-foot-8, 198-pound freshman from Blythewood, S.C., averaged 14 points and 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in wins at Mississippi State and at LSU. He compiled 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals during the Vols' win at LSU. Phillips stepped up in the absence of two starters during Tennessee's win at Mississippi State, recording his highest-scoring SEC game as a Vol and second-career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, coming on strong after halftime with 13 second-half points.