College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

5 questions entering the SEC

College basketball season is almost here!

Between now and Nov. 9th, we’ll take an in-depth look at different conferences around the country.

Today’s focus is on the SEC:

1. Does the SEC have a clear cut favorite?
Absolutely not. The top eight teams in this conference — Auburn, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, and Mississippi State — are all capable from a personnel perspective, but none of the eight truly stand out from the rest. Don’t be shocked if the teams picked first, second, and third in the SEC’s preseason poll finish fifth, sixth, and seventh and the teams that are picked fifth, sixth, and seventh finish first, second, and third. It feels like it’s going to be that type of year in the SEC.

2. How big of a turnaround can we expect at Kentucky?
A significant one, but the ceiling for this team is still yet to be determined. The Wildcats’ 9-16 mark last season was John Calipari’s worst as a head coach since his first year at UMass in 1988-89; he’s added reinforcements. Kentucky recalibrated its roster through the transfer portal with the additions of Sahvir Wheeler (Georgia), Kellan Grady (Davidson), CJ Fredrick (Iowa), and Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia) with five-star freshmen TyTy Washington and Daimion Collins also set to play a big role. With the additions of Grady and Fredrick, the Wildcats should be a much better shooting team than they were a year ago. They’ll also have much better ball security after totaling 313 assists to 349 turnovers as a team last season. Barring something unforeseen, Kentucky is likely going to be one of the better teams in the SEC, but it’s important to note that Calipari’s best teams in Lexington have always had a few guys who were pegged to be first-round picks in the following year’s NBA Draft. The two that currently have that label are Washington and Collins, a pair of freshmen who have yet to play a game at the college level.

3. Will Keyontae Johnson play for Florida?
No one truly knows. According to Florida coach Mike White on Sept. 16th, Johnson had still not been cleared for any physical activity after collapsing against Florida State last December. He was diagnosed with a heart inflammation shortly after the collapse. Johnson told the Orlando Sentinel in July that he vowed to play basketball again at some point, but just didn’t know if it would be with the Gators.The 6-5 forward averaged 16 points and 4.5 rebounds prior to leaving the lineup and was the SEC Preseason Player of the Year prior to last season.  With Johnson in the lineup and in his old form, Florida would instantly become one of the top teams in the SEC. 

4. Which overlooked SEC guard could become a national name in 21-22?
Iverson Molinar. Never heard of him? You will soon. Mississippi State’s lead guard averaged 16.7 points and 3.7 rebounds last season as a sophomore and was named to the All-SEC Preseason first-team as a junior. The 6-3 Molinar is an efficient scorer who shot 47.8 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three-point range last season. He can also run a team. Look for Ben Howland to use Molinar as a maestro in an effort to get the most of a troika of transfers — Shakeel Moore (NC State), Rocket Watts (Michigan State), and D.J. Jeffries (Memphis) — on the wings as well as Garrison Brooks (North Carolina) and Tolu Smith inside. Molinar is arguably the best guard in college basketball that not many people know about. 

5. Who is the sleeper?
Ole Miss. Kermit Davis privately believes that this will be his deepest team yet in Oxford. That’s a great sign on the heels of last season’s 16-12 mark and Postseason NIT appearance. Despite losing three of their top four scorers, the Rebels return reliable veterans in Jarkel Joiner and Luis Rodriguez to go with a reloaded frontcourt headlined by transfers Jaemyn Brakefield (Duke) and Nysier Brooks (Miami). Ole Miss’ staff also believes that 5-9 freshman point guard Daeshun Ruffin will have an immediate impact. If Davis can get a breakout sophomore season from former top-50 recruit Matthew Murrell, the Rebels could be in business. Ole Miss is a dark horse NCAA Tournament team in 2022. 

Leftovers