Nerlens Noel started this season looking to be his own player, to create his own legacy, but the shadow of Anthony Davis was inescapable. As Kentucky lost a few games and went through some early growing pains, Noel began to slip out of national college basketball conversation.With his Wildcats days removed from one of their best performances of the season at Auburn and he himself having blocked 20 shots in his last three games, Noel is once again starting to garner some deserved buzz. For example, Noel reentered CBSSports.com’s Freshman of the Year rankings on Tuesday. Here’s what Jeff Borzello had to say about him.
5. Nerlens Noel — KentuckyHt: 6-10 Wt: 228Season Stats: 10.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 4.1 BPG, 2.6 SPGComment: After disappearing from the rankings since the early part of the season, Noel is back in the mix. He’s been one of the best defensive players in the country, ranking near the nation’s leaders in blocks and steals. Moreover, he’s beginning to play much better in SEC play — averaging 12.5 points, 9.0 boards, 5.8 blocks and 2.5 steals in his last four games. He shot 20-for-29 in that span.
