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New York — If the Big East's weekly awards have taught us anything so far, it's that the conference's freshman of the year award is a two-man race between Marquette forward Henry Ellenson and Xavier guard Edmond Sumner.

Ellenson, coming off yet another strong week, was recognized as the league's freshman of the week for the fourth time on Monday morning, moving him ahead of Sumner who has received the honor three times.

This week, Ellenson averaged 13.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game in a loss to DePaul and a win at St. John's. Against the Red Storm, Ellenson scored 16 points while adding 18 rebounds — a career high and the most ever by a Marquette player in a Big East game — for his 11th double-double of the season. His 11 double-doubles in 20 games are the most in the Big East and are tied for ninth in the country.

Ellenson has distinguished himself as one of the best freshmen not only in the Big East, but also in the nation. On Monday, Ellenson was included on the pared down midseason watch list for the Wayman Tisdale Award, an honor given to the country's top freshman by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

He ranks third among freshmen nationally in rebounding (9.9 rpg, first overall in Big East) and 15th in scoring (15.7 ppg, fifth overall in Big East). His 11 double-doubles are tied for the second-highest total by a freshman. Only LSU freshman Ben Simmons has more double-doubles (14) while Eastern Michigan first-year James Thompson IV also has 11 through 19 games.

Providence sophomore Ben Bentil continued his breakout season with high-impact performances this week as the Friars knocked off Butler then ended Villanova's 22-game Big East win streak and run of 32 straight home victories. Bentil averaged 25.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, scoring 31 in the overtime win over the Wildcats to go along with 13 rebounds.

Click here for more information and to view the rest of the league's weekly honor roll.