Feb. 4, 2013

CHICAGO – Kentucky freshman center
Nerlens Noel’s huge alley-oop throw down vs. Auburn on Jan. 19 is nominated for the GEICO Play of the Year, Intersport announced today. Each week for eight weeks, four incredible college basketball plays will be nominated as the GEICO Play of the Year. Each week’s winner will be determined by fan voting through the official Facebook page (
facebook.com/BestofCollegeBasketball
). The eight finalists will compete in a week-long competition to determine the GEICO Play of the Year. The winner will be announced during the GEICO Best of College Basketball special which airs April 6 on CBS.

In addition to recognizing the season’s top plays, the one-hour CBS special will relive the season’s greatest moments, players and traditions. The show reviews the GEICO Best of 2013 Basketball Tour, an interactive fan experience that visits 10 marquee games throughout the basketball season.

Kentucky had a double-digit lead midway through the second half, when Archie Goodwin came streaking up the court after a Tigers’ miss. The crafty guard looked-off his defender and lobbed a pass toward the hoop. Noel timed his run perfectly and finished the alley-oop while going over the top of an Auburn defender. The ‘Cats went on to win, 75-53.

Noel’s monster jam is competing against three other plays from week four, a game-winning corner 3-pointer by Boise State’s Jeff Elorriaga, an emphatic slam by Ohio State’s Sam Thompson and a fade-away buzzer beater by Cincinnati’s Cashmere Wright.

To watch or support Noel or any of the other highlight plays, visit
www.facebook.com/BestofCollegeBasketball
. Fans can also share their vote with Facebook friends. Week four voting opened today and ends Monday, Feb. 11, at 11:59 A.M. ET.