Kentucky freshman Noel establishes defense presence with nation-leading 4.8 blocks per game

5d4b01f7-Kentucky Mississippi Basketball

Kentucky's Nerlens Noel (3) defends on a shot by Mississippi's Reginald Buckner during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman) MANDATORY CREDIT MAGS OUT NO SALES (The Associated Press)

06cf8551-Kentucky Mississippi Basketball

Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel (3) swats away a layup attempt by Mississippi forward Murphy Holloway (31) in the second half of their NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Oxford, Miss. Kentucky won 87-74. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nerlens Noel isn't getting many RSVP's to his block parties.

In fact, opponents prefer to avoid the Kentucky freshman whenever making a trip to the basket.

Noel has been dominating defensively since Southeastern Conference play began, blocking 49 shots in seven league games. His 12 rejections in Tuesday night's 87-74 victory over No. 16 Mississippi set a school record — he had half of the blocks while playing with four fouls.

Kentucky (14-6, 5-2) enters Saturday's game at Texas A&M (13-7, 3-4) with the 6-foot-10 forward leading the nation in blocked shots at 4.8 per game. Noel has 95 swats, more than halfway to Anthony Davis' record of 186 during Kentucky's championship run last season.

Noel downplays ongoing comparisons to the former All-American, though he wants to break Davis' mark.