Top 30 SEC Players for 2012-2013
1. Phil Pressey: Missouri – 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.4
assists, 2.1 steals
Missouri was dominant last season in the Big 12. There
addition to the SEC could spell trouble for everyone. But it all rests on this
guy. There are a lot of new faces and he’ll have to hold them all together. He
will also look to score more himself this year too. His defense is often
overlooked, but he is tenacious.
2. Kenny Boynton: Florida – 15.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7
assists
Florida will remain relevant this season, and Boynton will
truly break out. He has been one of many great players in the Gator backcourt,
but now he’ll play the lead role. He and Pressey (above) will be the most
important guards in the SEC.
3. Marshawn Powell: Arkansas – 19.5 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5
assists
Has had an injury-riddled career thus far, including missing
all but two games a year ago. But if he is healthy, he will be one of the
league’s best players. Let’s hope he isn’t another talented guy whose career is
ruined by injuries.
4. Michael Dixon: Missouri – 13.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.3
assists, 1.2 steals
Dixon was one of many scorers last year for the Tigers. But
he will be more central this season. We could see him average up to 20 a game
for a team that will play fast. Like Pressey, with so many newcomers around
him, his leadership and ability to blend with others will be important.
5. B.J. Young: Arkansas – 15.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3
assists
He and Powell will become a great duo in the SEC. These two
have a chance to both put up great numbers, while leading Arkansas back into
relevance.
6. Jeronne Maymon: Tennessee – 12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds,
1.2 assists, 1 steal
Maymon is a great rebounder. With he, and Jarnell Stokes
(ranked a little lower) in there together, good luck grabbing any missed shot.
Maymon is also a fairly polished scorer. He’s a wildcard and possible SEC first
team type of player.
7. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Georgia – 13.2 points, 5.2
rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.8 steals
He is as close to a one man show as you’ll find in the
conference. What he needs most is teammates around him to give him support. But
even without others, he will score, rebound, and play great defense.
8. Patric Young: Florida – 10.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1
assists
Young is still developing as a post player. But he has the
tools, talent, and size to be dominant. If Billy Donavan can continue to
develop this guy, he could easily be a lottery pick in the summer.
9. Laurence Bowers: Missouri – 11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1+
assist/block/steal in 2010
Most forget about Bowers, but he was supposed to be the best
player for the Tigers last year before getting injured before the season. He is
great inside and he hopes to bounce back from injury in a big way. He’ll have a
say as to how far they go in the NCAA tourney this year.
10. Nerlens Noel: Kentucky – Center, 1st Ranked
Recruit by ESPN
I am not crazy about Noel, at least in comparison to Anthony
Davis, but he will make a major impact. He is very, very raw on offense, but he
will be an immediate presence defensively. Don’t expect an AD type season from
him, but expect him to keep Kentucky around the top of the conference, if not
winning it again.
11. Trevor Releford: Alabama – 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2.8
assists
Releford is a guy who has been around for a long time. His
leadership may be the most important thing he can bring to the Crimson Tide
this year. Plus more scoring.
12. Alex Oriakhi: Missouri – 6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3
blocks at UCONN
Here’s a name that is familiar to us all. He has won a
national title and was used last year less often than his talent would
indicate. This year on a new team, he could become an important component to
their inside play.
13. Jarnell Stokes: Tennessee – 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4
blocks
For those of you who don’t know much about this guy, it’s
because he joined the team late last year. But if he breaks out and plays up to
his talent, this will be his only full season at Tennessee.
14. Alex Polythress: Kentucky – Small Forward, 13th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
These are the words I think of about him: athletic,
exciting, playmaker, and instant impact. He may play second fiddle to Noel all
year, but like Kidd-Gilchrist last year, he will be the true backbone of the
team.
15. Keion Bell: Missouri – 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4
assists at Pepperdine
This guy lit it up at Pepperdine. And he did it for two
seasons in a row. I know that wasn’t SEC ball, but he can play. I expect him to
make an immediate impact for the Tigers. I think he’ll adapt very well to the
better competition.
16. Erik Murphy: Florida – 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1
blocks
Murphy is a classic big for Florida that likes to play on
the exterior a little bit. He stretches the floor well and could be in for a
big season with more shots to go around this year.
17. Elson Turner: Texas A&M – 13.6 points, 3.6 rebounds,
2.2 assists, 1 steal
Ray Turner:
Texas A&M – 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds
Just like Missouri, Texas A&M is new to the conference.
The Turner’s will do their part to give them a decent showing. Elson is the
more decorated player, but Ray is who Sporting News Magazine said is the most
underrated player in the conference.
18. Trae Golden: Tennessee – 13.6 points, 3 rebounds, 4.5
assists
This Volunteers team is trying to become elite once more in
the SEC. Golden is the guy who stirs the pot. He does a little bit of
everything and runs the team. This ranking could even be too low for him with
the impact he’ll make.
19. Murphy Holloway: Mississippi – 11.2 points, 9 rebounds,
1.4 assists, 1.6 steals
He is a threat to post a double-double in any game for the
Bulldogs. If he doesn’t lead the conference in rebounding I’d be shocked. He
needs to keep improving offensively though to take his game to the next level.
20. Archie Goodwin: Kentucky – Shooting Guard, 15th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
This is another Wildcat freshman that will help lead
Kentucky. Like Polythress, he was a McDonald’s All-American that brings
athleticism to the court. If he can improve his shooting, he can become an
unstoppable player.
21. Frankie Sullivan: Auburn – 12.8 points, 4 rebounds, 2.4
assists
Sullivan will prove that there are great athletes at the
school that don’t play football (although the football team sucks this year
too). But he will likely be the leading scorer for a team that may struggle.
22. Ryan Harrow: Kentucky – 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.3
assists at NC State
Another newcomer for Kentucky, but this one isn’t a
freshman. Instead, he is a sophomore that transferred from NC State. He will be
in charge of leading the offense. His play could ultimately decide what type of
success they have.
23. Andre Stringer: LSU – 10.1 points, 2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3
steals
Stringer is a guy for LSU that must make a major step up to make
this team more complete. Even if he does, that still doesn’t guarantee they win
a lot, but it would sure help.
24. Kyle Wiltjer: Kentucky – 5 points, 1.8 rebounds
The one returning player for the Wildcats who saw time last
year was this guy. He only played about 11 minutes or so a game, less in
important games, but he does have experience that others don’t. His improvement
is paramount!
25. Earnest Ross: Missouri – 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1
assists, 1.4 steals at Auburn
The interesting thing about this guy is that he is a
transfer from this conference. Due to this, he will step in and produce without
any setbacks.
26. Mike Rosario: Florida – 6.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1
assist
After coming in from Providence, Rosario was in a crowded
backcourt last year. Now he will likely start alongside Boynton. My guess is
that he’ll look to set up his teammates more and allow Boynton to focus on
scoring. No matter what though, he’ll play a bigger role than last year.
27. Devonta Pollard: Alabama – Small Forward, 28th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
This is the only recruit Alabama has coming in this season,
but it was a good one. Pollard will start immediately and prove to be an elite
freshman this season.
28. Willie Cauley-Stein: Kentucky – Center, 40th
Ranked Recruit by ESPN
Yes, another freshmen for Coach Cal to use this season. It’s
tough to say if he will play alongside Noel or split time with him, but think
of him like Orton was a few years ago behind Cousins. Orton remember was a
first round pick…
29. LaShay Page: South Carolina – 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds
at USM
The Gamecocks barely make the top 30 but do because of this
transfer. He may step in immediately and be the best player for them (along
with Bruce Ellington). That’s a lot to ask of someone coming from USM.
T30. Julius Mays: Kentucky – 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5
assists, 1.4 steals at Wright State
Another transfer and another new Kentucky player. He comes
from Wright State, so he’ll likely be the one who needs the most time adapting,
but he has great talent and will play a role in some way for the Wildcats.
T30. Jarvis Summers: Mississippi – 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds,
3.4 assists
Nick Williams:
Mississippi – 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Tied for the final spot on our poll is the combination of
these two from Ole Miss. We mentioned their teammate Murphy doing the
rebounding, but these two will take some of the scoring load off of him.
By: The Sports Guys
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