Player of the Week
Walker Kessler, Auburn
Kessler is perhaps the premiere shot blocker in the country and has been a very solid scorer as well for the 18-1 Tigers. After struggling last week against Bama and fouling out with two points, Walker has dropped double digits in his last three games. In a huge victory over Kentucky, Kessler battled with Oscar Tshiebwe and came out triumphant. Kessler was the game high scorer with 19 points, while also grabbing seven rebounds and blocking two shots. He was also the team’s leading scorer against Georgia, dropping 15 points on 7-11 shooting while blocking six shots. His best game was against Ole Miss, where he recorded a double-double with 20 points, ten rebounds, four steals, and seven blocks in an all-around dominant performance.
Who’s Hot
Auburn Tigers
The Tigers are one of the best overall teams in the country. They play incredible team defense led by Kessler and potential first overall pick Jabari Smith. Auburn has an 18-1 record with big wins over Kentucky and Georgia. With Missouri and an out of conference game against Oklahoma up next, look for Auburn to increase their 15-game winning streak.
JD Notae, Arkansas
The senior guard has been a very consistent scorer this season, averaging over 18.5 points per game. Notae has scored 17 points in both of his games this week. Despite shooting 6-21 and fouling out in Arkansas’ overtime win over Texas A&M, Notae had six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Notae faces Ole Miss on Wednesday and should have a good game against a struggling team.
Who’s Not
Tyrece Radford, Texas A&M
Radford has shot very poorly from the field this week in two tough matchups. Against Kentucky, he shot 2-7 from the field and missed both of his shots from deep. He also missed two free throws in a six-point loss. Radford also struggled against Arkansas, despite grabbing 11 rebounds. He shot 3-11 from the field and 1-6 from deep, contributing to the A&M’s three-point loss in overtime in a game that was theirs to win.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia is now 0-6 in SEC play, having lost eight in a row, and nine of ten. Of these losses, three out of their last four games resulted in a loss by double digits. Their worst loss being by 23 to Auburn, after only scoring 60 points total. Through the past 19 games, they have a record of 5-14, with their next matchup being against Alabama.
Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss started the season 8-3 out of conference, while also having the same record at home. Since then, playing on the road and in conference has been a struggle for the team. At 1-5 in conference, and 0-3 on the road, Ole Miss has not been good. They have lost four straight and during that stretch they have scored 53 or less points twice. With Florida and Arkansas next up on schedule, the Rebels will probably drop under .500.
Top Five Point Guards
1. TyTy Washington– Kentucky
Tyty is a very good two-way player. He is an absolute menace on defense, who puts so much pressure on the ball and has very active hands. He is also an incredible facilitator who has proven himself all season. He has broken the Kentucky assist record with 17 against Georgia, as well as in a head-to-head matchup with Kennedy Chandler, he dropped 28 points. At 6’3”, Washington has the size and speed to play at the next level and to become an early contributor as he has been at Kentucky. His shooting splits are very impressive at 50-39-77, and his season averages are 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
2. Kennedy Chandler– Tennessee
Chandler could easily be ranked as the top guard, as it is really close between him and Tyty. Chandler is another top recruit who has proved himself early on as a freshman. Chandler has a very smooth shot and can score from anywhere on the court. His biggest question is his habit of racking up turnovers. He is averaging over 2.5 turnovers per game and has had multiple games with five or more. I see Chandler being a guy who finds success early at the next level as he joins a team with more talent. Tennessee has some solid players, but they really just have a bunch of guys around him. For the season, he is averaging 13 assists, three rebounds, and just under five assists per game. Chandler is shooting 44% from the field and 32% from deep which are both respectable. A big issue is that he has not shot well from the line (60%), and as a guard that is pretty unacceptable. Free throws are very fixable though and he should improve in that area quickly.
3. Jahvon Quinerly– Alabama
Quinerly is one of the most talented guards in the country, and the former five-star recruit has been very solid since transferring in. This season he is averaging over 14.5 points per game while also dishing out four assists and grabbing three rebounds per game. His shot from deep has not been there this season though, as he has regressed to 25% after shooting 43% last year. A lot of that is shot selection, as Bama as a whole takes a lot of terrible shots which tanks their percentage. Quinerly is so quick and can get to the rim with ease. If he stops settling for so many outside shots, he could easily be ranked higher.
4. JD Notae– Arkansas
Notae is a fantastic scorer who is averaging over 18 points per game this season. JD is a three-level scorer who does it all for the Razorbacks. The 6’2” senior is averaging 18.6 points per game to go with over four rebounds and three assists. His shooting splits are 41-29-75. While he’s only shooting 29% from deep, that is mainly due to volume, as he is taking over seven attempts per game which is a career high. For his career, he is a 33% shooter from deep on over 5.5 attempts per game. Notae should definitely get a shot at the next level as he is a very good scorer.
5. Sahvir Wheeler– Kentucky
Wheeler makes the list because he is an incredible facilitator. He would be higher on the list, but he is very small at only 5’9”. While lacking size, he is still averaging over 10 points per game, while leading the conference in assists at just under seven per game. For his career, he’s not a great shooter from deep (26% career), but he is an incredible free throw shooter (89% this year, 74% career).