Feb. 6, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Coming off his best performance in an Irish uniform freshman Pat Connaughton (Arlington, Mass.) has been named co-BIG EAST Rookie of the Week after a recording his first career double-double on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 4) against Marquette in leading Notre Dame to a 76-59 win.
In the victory over the 15th-ranked Golden Eagles, Connaugton finished with 23 points and a career 11 rebounds in 37 minutes of action. He connected on a personal-best nine field goals (on 12 attempts) and was five-of-eight from three-point range. Connaughton also matched his career best with three assists and blocked a career-high two shots.
Connaughton has played in 23 contests, earned seven starts this season and is averaging 22.5 minutes per game. He is netting 6.9 points per game and 4.3 rebounds. Connaughton has recorded double figures in five games and has topped the 20-plus point mark on two occasions.
Teammate Eric Atkins (Columbia, Md.) also found himself as a weekly award winner as the sophomore was named to the league weekly honor roll. Atkins had a game-high 18 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished off five assists versus Marquette. Atkins leads the Irish in scoring with 13.1 points per game. He has started all 21 games that he has played and netted double figures in all but five contests.
Connaughton shared rookie-of-the-week honors with Chane Behanan of Louisville. Tray Woodall of Pittsburgh was honored as the BIG EAST Player of the Week. The Weekly Honor Roll also was comprised of Henry Sims (Georgetown), Gerard Coleman (Providence), D’Angelo Harrison (St. John’s) and Darryl Bryant (West Virginia). It was the first time that both Connaughton and Atkins garnered any kind of BIG EAST accolade.
Winners of four straight, the Irish (15-8, 7-3) travel to West Virginia on Wednesday, Feb. 8 for a 9:00 p.m. (ET) tip against the Mountaineers in a game that will be televised by ESPNU. Notre Dame is tied with Ohio State for the most wins over ranked opponents as both teams have five victories this season.