Deniusas Claims 10th Ohio Valley Conference Freshman Of The Week Accolade
2/9/2026 1:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Ohio Valley Conference crowned University of Tennessee at Martin forward Matas Deniusas as its Freshman of the Week for men's basketball today, marking the 10th time that the Vilnius, Lithuania native has brought home that honor.
Deniusas is now tied with Austin Peay's Jordyn Adams (2019-20) for the third-most OVC Freshman of the Week awards in league history, trailing only Lindenwood's Jadis Jones (12 in 2024-25) and Eastern Kentucky's Matt Witt (11 in 2002-03). The Skyhawks have now boasted a winner of this award 11 times out of 14 weeks this season and have racked up 13 total OVC weekly honors in 2025-26.
Deniusas helped the first-place UT Martin squad to two more wins during a busy week, averaging 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per outing. He shot an even 50 percent (16-of-32) from the floor while sinking a sizzling 45.5 percent (10-for-22) of his attempts from three-point land.
During Tuesday's win against Little Rock, Deniusas collected a game-high 17 points – including a dunk and three-pointer on pivotal back-to-back possessions with under two minutes to go – in addition to six rebounds. Two days later in a victory over Southern Indiana, he posted 15 points with a game-high eight rebounds in only 22 minutes of playing time. His completed his productive week with a team-best 15 points with game-highs of nine rebounds and four steals (a career-high) against Morehead State on Saturday.
A 6-9, 220-pounder, Deniusas currently ranks in the top-15 in the OVC in blocks (0.96 per game, eighth), rebounding (5.68 per contest, 11th), scoring (13.24 points per outing, 12th), three-point field goals made (1.48 per game, 13th) and free throw percentage (.745, 13th). In league play, he ranks fifth in both rebounding (7.29 per contest) and blocks (1.21 per outing).
The Skyhawks go on the road this week for a pair of OVC matchups, beginning with a Thursday, Feb. 12 tilt at Lindenwood. Tipoff from St. Charles, Mo. is set for 7:30 p.m.
Deniusas is now tied with Austin Peay's Jordyn Adams (2019-20) for the third-most OVC Freshman of the Week awards in league history, trailing only Lindenwood's Jadis Jones (12 in 2024-25) and Eastern Kentucky's Matt Witt (11 in 2002-03). The Skyhawks have now boasted a winner of this award 11 times out of 14 weeks this season and have racked up 13 total OVC weekly honors in 2025-26.
Deniusas helped the first-place UT Martin squad to two more wins during a busy week, averaging 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per outing. He shot an even 50 percent (16-of-32) from the floor while sinking a sizzling 45.5 percent (10-for-22) of his attempts from three-point land.
During Tuesday's win against Little Rock, Deniusas collected a game-high 17 points – including a dunk and three-pointer on pivotal back-to-back possessions with under two minutes to go – in addition to six rebounds. Two days later in a victory over Southern Indiana, he posted 15 points with a game-high eight rebounds in only 22 minutes of playing time. His completed his productive week with a team-best 15 points with game-highs of nine rebounds and four steals (a career-high) against Morehead State on Saturday.
A 6-9, 220-pounder, Deniusas currently ranks in the top-15 in the OVC in blocks (0.96 per game, eighth), rebounding (5.68 per contest, 11th), scoring (13.24 points per outing, 12th), three-point field goals made (1.48 per game, 13th) and free throw percentage (.745, 13th). In league play, he ranks fifth in both rebounding (7.29 per contest) and blocks (1.21 per outing).
The Skyhawks go on the road this week for a pair of OVC matchups, beginning with a Thursday, Feb. 12 tilt at Lindenwood. Tipoff from St. Charles, Mo. is set for 7:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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