For the second time this season, Michael Ajayi has earned BIG EAST Player of the Week honors. The conference office made the announcement Monday (Dec. 15).
 
Ajayi led the Bulldogs with 28 points and 15 rebounds as Butler opened the BIG EAST portion of the schedule with a 113-110 double-overtime win over Providence Saturday. He added two assists, two steals and one block. His second steal started a chain reaction that resulted in Evan Haywood's game-winning three-pointer with 35 seconds remaining in the second extra period.
 
Ajayi now has eight double-doubles in the team's 10 games. He ranks second nationally at 11.9 rebounds per game. On Saturday, Ajayi became the first Bulldog with 15 rebounds in a game since Bo Hodges against Providence March 10, 2022 in the BIG EAST Tournament. Ajayi ranks fourth in the BIG EAST at 17.4 points per game.
 
Ajayi also earned the BIG EAST weekly award Nov. 24 after leading the Bulldogs to the Greenbrier Tip-Off title. While at Pepperdine, Ajayi earned Big West Conference Player of the Week honors Feb. 26, 2024.
 
The Bulldogs, currently 8-2 on the season, travel to Hartford for a Tuesday night game at No. 5 UConn. The 8:30 p.m. tip will air on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.