We’ve officially crossed into November, which means it’s time for college basketball to take the stage.
Non-conference games have commenced and we’ll be eating, sleeping and breathing college basketball for the next handful of months, But before then, we’ve got to preview what to expect from the Power 5 conferences as well as take a look at the mid-major landscape.
The SEC is well-represented in the AP Top 25. With five teams ranked, there could be a ton of parity in the conference, as usual. But which will ultimately be left standing once the dust settles? We make our prediction, as well as provide our thoughts on sleeper teams that could win the conference while also highlighting some must-watch players.
Players to Watch
Jahvon Quinerly (guard) – Alabama Crimson Tide
A few of Bama’s players from last season are gone, but Jahvon Quinerly’s return keeps the Crimson Tide in consideration for an SEC title. The senior guard is one of the more dynamic players in the conference as both a scorer and passer. On top of that, he’s equally as entertaining of a basketball player. He’ll be one of the more worthwhile players to follow in the SEC this season.
Colin Castleton (forward) – Florida Gators
Florida missed the NCAA Tournament last season but it was to no fault of Colin Castleton’s. He averaged 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and he should be even better this time around during his senior season. If things work out in his favor, he could be looking at an All-SEC First Team selection, an All-Defense Team selection and a trip for him and the Gators back to the Big Dance.
Julian Phillips (forward) – Tennessee Volunteers
Phillips enters the college basketball world after being one of the nation’s top-20 high school recruits a season ago. He’s got the size and athleticism to play multiple positions on the wing and as he gets his feet wet, he could help make an already-great Volunteer lineup even scarier by the time conference play rolls around. Regardless, the 6’8″ freshman has plenty of potential and should be a fun player to watch grow throughout the season.
Oscar Tshiebwe (center) – Kentucky Wildcats
We can’t have a Players to Watch list and not include the reigning AP Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year. Interestingly enough, there’s a legitimate chance that he runs in back with both awards in 2023. We know what Tshiebwe does — rebound the ball — which he does astoundingly well. And if his game continues to develop on the offensive end, the rest of the SEC could be in even more trouble than it was before.
Kentucky is quite good (more on them later) and he’s clearly the head of the snake for what should be one of the better Kentucky teams in recent years. Make sure to pay attention to him this year if you weren’t already.
Sleeper Team
Auburn Tigers
I’m not going to pretend that the losses of Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith Jr. to the NBA are huge blows, but I also won’t undersell the talent that’s returning to Auburn this season. K.D. Johnson and Wendell Green Jr. and Allen Flanigan. Combine those talents with Johni Broome, who transferred in from Morehead State, and Bruce Pearl has himself a team that should be able to compete with most teams in the conference. Neville Arena has recently proven to be one of college basketball’s biggest home-court advantages, as well. Don’t sleep on the Tigers.
Conference Champion
Kentucky Wildcats
At the end of the day, there’s just too much talent on this team not to consider them as the conference’s championship favorites. Some of the players is familiar (Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin) and some are new to UK (Antonio Reeves and Cason Wallace), but it’s hard to argue that this won’t be the SEC’s most talented roster each time it takes the court.
Talent alone doesn’t win games, but it helps. I expect John Calipari to coach his guys back to an SEC title for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
