Player Of the Week
Ricky Council-Guard, Arkansas- The junior guard has gotten off to an incredible start this season. He is second in the SEC at 18.4 points per game while also grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists per game. He has been very efficient, shooting a career high 51% from the field on over 15 shots per game. The Wichita State transfer was sensational week recording two 20 points games and one game with 19 points. Against Creighton, he scored 24 points on 9-19 shooting. Although he struggled shooting in the next game, scoring 19 points on 6-19 shooting, he bounced back phenomenally against Troy, scoring a season high 27 points on 12-18 shooting.
Who’s Hot
Anthony Black-Guard, Arkansas- Black has made the most out of his opportunity so far, recording back-to-back 26-point games with 6 assists per game. He followed these games up with 15 points against San Diego State, a night where his shot was not falling (3-11), but he was lights-out from the free throw line (9-10). His final game of the week, he shot much better (5-8), while dropping 14 points and grabbing 8 boards.
Santiago Vescovi-Guard, Tenessee- Vescovi had a really solid week, recording double digits in three of four games. He shot lights out from deep this week hitting 13 of his 41 attempts (32%). This was really dragged down by the game against USC, where he shot terribly (1-8 from deep). He bounced back from that rough outing with 20 points and five threes to help the Vols upset #3 Kansas. Vescovi is one of the top shooters in the conference and his light is always green.
Missouri- Missouri has started the season 8-0. While they have yet to really face a quality opponent, they are the only 8-0 team in the SEC at this time. They have played very good team basketball with multiple guys contributing every night. They have four scorers averaging double digit points per game, and two additional players averaging just under 10. Their first test will be on 12/10 when they are set to host powerhouse Kansas.
Who’s Not
Vanderbilt- Tied for last place so far in the conference, Vanderbilt has had some really bad losses already. Losing by double digits at home to Southern Mississippi is just one example. They need to figure things out soon, as this conference is very deep and they will fall out of contention very quickly if they keep playing this way.
South Carolina- Tied with Vanderbilt at the bottom currently, South Carolina has also been pretty bad so far. Losing by 28 points to Colorado State solidifies this, especially considering they got outscored 40-19 in the first half. They have also lost to George Washington by 24. Two really embarrassing loses that might just be a sign of where this team is headed this season.
Matthew Murrell-Guard, Ole Miss- The junior guard is having as many ups and downs as one could have. He is the opposite of an efficient scorer, focusing mainly on being a volume shooter this year. He is averaging over 14 points per game, but has the worst qualifying field goal percentage in the entire conference at 38%. He really struggled this week against Stanford, only scoring 6 points on 2-8 shooting. He followed this up with 14 points against Sienna, on a brutal 5-14 shooting. His last game of the week against Oklahoma was also rough. He scored 8 points on 3-9 shooting from the field, including 1-6 from deep. Rough week for the 6’4” guard.
Freshman Spotlight
Amaree Abram- Guard, Ole Miss- The freshman guard played out of his mind last week, recording his first three double digit performances. Against Stanford, he recorded 26 points on 12-18 shooting, while hitting both of his attempts from deep. He followed this up with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists against Sienna on 6-8 shooting, while again hitting all of his shots from deep (3-3). Against Oklahoma he was also very impressive, scoring 17 points and dishing out a career high 5 assists while shooting 7-13 from the field. For the week, he averaged points on 25-39 shooting (64%).
Top Five SEC Prospects
1. Nick Smith– Guard, Arkansas- The number one recruit in the entire country missed the first few games due to a knee injury. Smith has finally begun to play and looks incredible. Look for Smith to continue to show off his skills, as he meshes with this very talented Arkansas’ team that is poised to make noise in the postseason. As a senior in high school, Smith averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, showing how good he is at just about everything on a basketball court. Smith possesses great size at 6’5” with a 6’9” wingspan. His first step is lethal, and his dribble moves are always very calculated to get himself to his spots. I’m excited to see how his jump shot translates, as his form is very pure. Smith is a three-level scorer that can get to the rim with ease, while also being more than capable of finding his guys in their spots.
2. Anthony Black– Guard, Arkansas- Another 5-star freshman guard for Arkansas, as Black is a 6’7” combo guard who has had a lot of success early in the season, averaging over 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting 54/40/72. Black has shown so far that he can carry the team offensively, with two 25+ point 6 assist games so far through seven total games played. Defensively, Black has been sensational. He has been causing havoc when defending on ball, averaging over two steals per game. Black is a two-way player that should fit well next to Nick Smith in the backcourt and proving to scouts that he can be a two way contributor at the next level.
3. Brandon Miller– Forward, Alabama- Miller is an incredibly gifted 6’9” forward. He has been red hot so far this season, showing he was ready to be an instant contributor as a true freshman. The 5-star prospect has averaged an SEC high 19 points per game, while grabbing over 8 rebounds per game. He has shown his ability to block shots and to shoot the ball from deep so far. He is averaging over a block per game while shooting 47% from deep on over 7 attempts per game. Miller is a true marksman from deep who figures to be a lottery pick if he continues to play this well.
4. Cason Wallace– Guard, Kentucky- A defensive beast is what Cason Wallace has been so far for Kentucky. He has big shoes to fill replacing TyTy Washington in the Kentucky backcourt, but he has hit the ground running. Offensively, he’s been solid, averaging over 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on 51/41/60 shooting splits. Defensively, he has been on an absolute different level, averaging 3 steals per game. Against Michigan State, he showed his potential in all facets, recording 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 8 steals! He played 44 minutes in the double OT game and put up sensational numbers. Look for Wallace to only keep gaining confidence offensively as his numbers continue to rise throughout the season. This is a guy who can easily be a lottery selection based off his defensive ability alone, so if he puts it all together on offense, his draft stock will explode.
5. Ricky Council-Guard Arkansas- Another Razorback makes the list as the junior transfer has come out of the gates red hot showing an improved outside game along with next level speed and athleticism. He likely will see his production drop off some with the return of Nick Smith. but he has made the country take notice of his high flying talent as well as his improved floor game. he’ll stand a chance to be one of the uppser classmen to hear their names called in the first round on draft night if he continues to produce with efficiency.
Honorable Mention:
Oscar Tshiebwe-Center, Kentucky- Oscar is a phenomenal rebounder and one of the most consistent players in the country. He gets his hands on almost every missed shot by being in great position and never giving up on plays. Offensively, he is a very efficient scorer around the rim, possessing a solid stroke from the line. After an unbelievable season last year averaging over 17 points and 15 rebounds per game, Tshiebwe is averaging over 14 points and 13 rebounds so far this season. While he might not fit the ideal center build for the current NBA due to not having a great outside shot, this guy is definitely a player who has the skill to be a contributor at the next level.