Tennessee’s impressive week on the floor as a team has yielded an individual honor as well.
Senior guard Robert Hubbs III was named the SEC Player of the Week on Monday after he averaged 17.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg in Tennessee’s big wins over then-No. 4 Kentucky and Kansas State on Saturday.
Hubbs was especially effective in the 82-80 upset of Kentucky, finishing with 25 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting evening, and grabbing seven rebounds.
“I think it’s important that we know what we have to play through and how we have to do,” coach Rick Barnes said of Hubbs after the win over Kentucky. “We think Robert can score. There’s no doubt about it. We want to put the ball in his hands. I think you’d love to have a couple players, but you have to have somebody that can make a tough shot.”
Hubbs then added 10 points and seven rebounds in the victory over KSU on Saturday, helping the Vols to a three-game winning streak and putting them more in the conversation for the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Hubbs is the second Vol to be honored as SEC Player of the Week on the season, joining Detrick Mostella, who has since been dismissed from the program. Jordan Bowden was also named Freshman of the Week on Dec. 12.
Tennessee plays next at Auburn (9 pm ET, SEC Network) on Tuesday evening and then will travel to Mississippi State on Saturday.
