Eric Atkins leads the Irish in assists and steals and is the team's third-leading scorer.

Eric Atkins Named To BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll

Dec. 3, 2012

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame junior point guard Eric Atkins (Columbia, Md.) has been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after leading Notre Dame to a 2-0 week following wins over Chicago State and then eighth-ranked Kentucky (64-50).

Atkins, who was also earned the same conference recognition last season, averaged 14.5 points. 7.5 assists and 2.5 steals in the two victories. Against Chicago State, he recorded his second career double-double (and second of the season) as he finished with 13 points and dished off a personal best 11 assists (first time in his career with 10 or more assist in a game) while connecting on five-of-10 shots from the field and was two for four from three-points range while playing 33 minutes in the game.

In the win over Kentucky, Atkins tied for game-high scoring as he led the Irish with 16 points, four assists and matched is career with three steals. He connected on seven-of-11 shots from the field and was one-for-three from three-point range in 38 minutes.

James Southerland of Syracuse was honored as the league’s player of the week, while Pittsburgh’s James Robinson copped rookie-of-the-week honors.

Joining Atkins on the weekly honor roll were Cleveland Melvin (DePaul), Kadeem Batts (Providence), D’Angelo Harrison (St. John’s) and Anthony Collins (USF). Earlier this season, teammate Jack Cooley also earned this same award.

Atkins is Notre Dame’s third leading scorer at 11.0 points per game and leads the Irish in both assists (4.9) and steals (1.6). He also has started all eight games, ranks first in minutes played (36.8) and is shooting 49.3 percent (33-67) from three-point range. Atkins has scored in double figures in four contests and dished off 10 or more assists on twice.

Notre Dame is currently 7-1 and is ranked 22nd in the Associated Press Poll and 25th in the USA Today/ESPN ranking. The Irish will be back in action on Saturday evening, Dec. 8, when they play host to the Brown Bears at 7:00 pm (ET). The game will be shown live on ESPN3.com and can be heard on www.und.com.