Monk has easily become the league’s most prolific scorer. He poured in 34 points against the Rebels on 11-of-16 shooting, including 5 of 7 from behind the arc and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.
The 34 points are the most a freshman has ever scored in program history on the road. He’s now scored 30 or more points twice this season, becoming just the second freshman in program history to achieve that feat. Jamal Murray had three such games a season ago.
Monk scores in a variety of ways and he’s reached double-digit scoring in all 13 contests this season. He’s also knocked down at least one 3-pointer in every game. He’s currently averaged 22.4 points per game, the best mark of any freshman in the country. No John Calipari-coached player has ever averaged more than 21.2 points for an entire season (Dajuan Wagner at Memphis in 2001-02). The 22.4 points per game is also the best of any freshman in college basketball this season.
This was the third time this season he has hit five or more 3-pointers. The seven made free throws is a new career best. He didn’t just contribute offensively, as told by his career-high-tying six rebounds and game-high three steals.
With this week’s honors, UK now has a league-leading seven SEC honors this season. This is the second time this season UK has swept both honors. The last time a team swept the awards twice in the same season was when UK turned the trick a season ago. On Feb. 15, 2016, Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray were the Player and Freshman of the Week, respectively, and then Murray and Skal Labissiere were the Player and Freshman of the Week winners in the final week of the season.
After nearly a month away from home, the Wildcats will return to Rupp Arena for a 9 p.m. tip against Texas A&M on Tuesday. The game will air live on ESPN.
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