SEC Basketball Preview
Alabama (7-5)
Top Player-Trevor Releford
Big Wins/Bad Losses- Losses to Mercer and Tulane
Analysis- Many expected Alabama to be a tough competitor in the SEC this year with a good group of talent in Tuscaloosa. The backcourt duo of Trevor Lacey and Trevor Releford have put up decent production, but their efforts have not resulted in wins. They played well against a talented Cincinnati team, but they still have puzzling losses to teams like Mercer and Tulane. If Devontae Pollard (former UK target) ever becomes the player scouts expect him to be, Bama could be a team that brings upsets during conference play.
Auburn (6-7)
Top Player- Frankie Sullivan
Big Wins/ Bad Losses- Losses to Winthrop and Rhode Island
Analysis- Unless Charles Barkley comes walking through the door, Auburn will continue to be a mediocre basketball team. The Tigers have struggled this season even in their wins. They played Illinois to a 2 point loss and even had a late-game lead. Outside of Sullivan, this team lacks scoring options as seen by their .420 field goal percentage. They do have one of the more comical names in college basketball on their roster in Rob Chubb, so there’s that.
Georgia (5-7)
Top Player- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Big Wins/ Bad Losses- Losses to Youngstown State and Iona
Analysis- This season was supposed to be solid year for Georgia behind the play of Caldwell-Pope. While KCP has played quite well this season, the rest of the team has not followed suit. Caldwell-Pope scores 30 percent of the team’s points every game while the rest of the team seems lost offensively. Unless KCP torches Kentucky for about 30 points, Georgia doesn’t pose much of a threat to the Wildcats.
Tennessee (8-3)
Top Player- Jarnell Stokes
Big Wins/ Bad Losses- Win over Wichita State
Analysis- Tennessee is probably the fourth-best team in the conference. The Volunteers have one huge flaw. They have a very difficult time scoring the basketball. 36 points against Georgetown and 38 points against Virginia are clear examples of how tough it is for them to score. Jarnell Stokes, who knows how to stretch now (looking at you Jimmy Dykes), has boasted a solid season with 12 points and 7 boards per game. If Kentucky doesn’t allow the incredibly slow-pace of Tennessee throw them off-guard, Harrow and Goodwin should have field day with this team.
Texas A&M (9-3)
Top Player- Elston Turner
Big Wins/Bad Losses- Loss to Southern University
Analysis- The newcomer to the SEC may have put its mark on the conference in football, but basketball is a different story. Despite a very easy non-conference schedule, the Aggies lost by 21 to an average St. Louis team and 10 to Oklahoma. Elston and Ray Turner who are of no relation are their best players, but the Aggies need a big boost in production to become a threat.
Arkansas (8-4)
Top Player- BJ Young
Big Wins/Bad Losses- None
Analysis- The non-conference portion for the Razorbacks was very bland, as they lost to the tougher teams on the schedule and won against the creampuffs. BJ Young is a very talented guard, but Arkansas might need their incoming recruiting class to be a contender in the SEC this year. However, they can put up points in a hurry, ranking seventh in the nation in points scored. Hopefully, Camp Cal has prepared the Wilcats because the Razorbacks will run the floor early and often.
South Carolina
Top Player- Lakeem Jackson
Big Wins/Bad Losses- Loss to Elon, 24 point loss to St. Johns
Analysis- Frank Martin, who has yet to be deemed clinically insane, had led the Gamecocks to a respectable start. South Carolina had a fairly easy schedule, but took care of most of the teams they should have outside of Elon. Once Bruce Ellington, the 2 sport athlete, returns for USC, the team should improve marginally. The Gamecocks won’t truly be tested until Jan. 22nd against Mizzou.