Player of the Week
Kobe Brown – Forward, Missouri
While Missouri had a game postponed this week and only played one game, that game was a huge upset over highly ranked Alabama. Kobe (pictured) dropped 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while also dishing out four assists. Aside from stuffing the stat sheet, Kobe had one of the most efficient 30-point games possible, shooting 9-13 from the field, 2-3 from deep, and 10-11 from the free throw line. The junior is having an incredible season and despite his team’s record, he deserves this accolade.
Freshman of the Week
TyTy Washington– Guard, Kentucky
TyTy struggled shooting against LSU, but he was active in other ways as he grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists. He then bounced back against Georgia with 17 points on 8-13 shooting from the field. He also recorded a season high and Kentucky record 17 assists in an incredible performance. He flashed both his scoring ability as well as his vision and willingness as a passer to find the open man.
Who’s Hot
Wendell Green JR.– Guard, Auburn
Green has played a huge part in both of Auburns victories this week. After a great freshman season averaging 15 points per game, Green is playing 5 less minutes per game this year. He has been a huge spark off the bench. Against South Carolina, Green played the second most minutes on the team (28 minutes) and scored a game high 22 points on 7-15 shooting. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 5 assists in an 81-66 victory. He followed this game up with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes against Florida. He shot a really solid 5-10 from the field hitting two of his four attempts from deep. Green is a very solid piece on this team off the bench, and they depend on him to score in bunches when he’s out on the court.
Colin Castleton-Forward, Florida
Castleton is a fantastic scorer, who has been incredible this week. Despite the Gators being blown out their past two games, Castleton has shined. Against Alabama, Castleton dropped 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds while shooting 7-10 from the field. He followed this up with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Auburn, shooting 7-14. Colin was red hot on the offensive side this week, and hopefully the Gators can turn it around, as he will do everything to carry them on his back.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn is playing incredible team basketball this season. Currently they are 12-1 and have won 11 straight games. They won both of their games this week by double digits, including an impressive 12-point victory over Florida. Freshman Jabari Smith has been great this season for the Tigers, scoring efficiently and also being consistent rebounder. Walker Kessler has also been a very consistent player for Auburn rebounding well and providing clutch baskets and blocks when the team needs him to step up.
Oscar Tshiebwe– Center, Kentucky
Oscar had a monster game against Georgia, dropping 29 points on 13-20 shooting. He grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked two shots as well. The nightly double-double recorded another absolutely incredible performance, as he has consistently done all year. He played well against LSU in their loss, but offensively he only took nine shots and hit four of them. Ending the game with eight points and 13 rebounds.
Who’s Not
Florida Gators
The Gators started the season red hot, but have lost back-to-back games by double digits. Sure, Auburn and Alabama are both really solid teams, but the games were almost uncompetitive. Colin Castleton has been sensational this week, but his combined 41 points and 17 rebounds over those two games were not enough. Myreon Jones bounced back last game and shot closer to what he needs to, after shooting 8-35 from the field, and 5-24 from deep over his past 3 games. The Gators desperately need Jones to hit his shots, because he shoots the ball a lot. Tyree Appleby is also really struggling, shooting 5-19 and 0-10 from deep over his past 3 games. The 10 point per game player has been in a really rough streak right now and needs to break out of it if the Gators hope to compete.
Kennedy Chandler – Guard, Tennessee
Chandler has not been great this week, really struggling to score against ole miss, shooting 3-8 and only scoring six points. While he did have seven assists, chandler also turned the ball over five times. Chandler bounced back shooting wise in their loss to LSU, scoring 19 points on 6-12 shooting. But he did have 6 turnovers. Chandler is a very talented player, but his turnover numbers are very worrisome as they have been very high as of late.
Arkansas Razorbacks
They have started conference play 0-3 after a 10-2 start to the season. They are in a tough stretch facing Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and LSU in three of four games over two weeks. After dropping the first two, they get a break with a winnable game against Missouri before they travel to LSU. They need to step up defensively because they have allowed 75+ points in five of their last six games.
Top 5 SEC Centers
1. Oscar Tshiebwe – Kentucky
Oscar is the ideal old school center, who is also the best rebounder in the country. Tshiebwe has five 20+ point games this year, and has recorded 20+ rebounds in four games as well. Oscar is one of the most efficient scorers in the conference, and on the season, he is shooting 62% from the field while averaging 16 points and 15 rebounds per game. Oscar ranks first in the conference in shooting percentage and averages six more rebounds per game than second place.
2. Colin Castleton-Florida
Colin is the go-to scorer on Florida, and the 6’11” senior has been fantastic this season. Averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds per game, while shooting 52% from the field. Castleton is also a solid defender, blocking over two shots per game. Castleton has scored 20 points or more twice with a season high of 26 points. Through 14 games, he has recorded double figures in all but one game. Castleton also has six double doubles on the season. Colin has started off the season playing great basketball and has been very consistent for the Gators.
3. Walker Kessler – Auburn
Kessler is 7’1” and the UNC transfer is the best shot blocker in the SEC. He is averaging over four blocks per game., which leads the conference. While he isn’t a huge scorer, he has been very efficient shooting 57% from the field. Seeing the floor a lot more than in his time at UNC, his minutes have gone from 8 to 23 per game and he has made the most of his time. Averaging just under 10 points and over seven rebounds per game. Kessler has dropped double digits in eight games so far this season. While also grabbing 10 or more rebounds in five games. Kessler has blocked four or more shots in eight games with a season high of 11 in a triple double against LSU.
4. Kobe Brown – Missouri
While Kobe is not a true center, he has been playing the position often for Missouri. The 6’8” junior has been one of the few bright spots for a struggling team. He is averaging 15 points and over 8 rebounds per game, while shooting 52% from the field. Brown rebounds very well, despite being undersized for the position, and has grabbed double digit rebounds in six games. His season high is 23 rebounds against Paul Quinn in which he had a 20-20 game. He has had double figures in points in 11 of 14 games with a season high of 30 points. Brown is a very solid player and look for him to keep improving throughout the season.
5. Nysier Brooks – Ole Miss
Brooks is a true seven-footer and he is having a career year in his first year at Ole Miss. The former Cincinnati and Miami basketball player is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. On the season, he is averaging over nine points and over eight rebounds per game on just under 59% shooting from the field. Brooks is a very solid rebounder as well as shot blocker. While he averages under one block per game, he had a season high of five blocks against Mississippi State. While he is not a huge scorer, he has scored in double figures seven times this season. He also has three double-doubles.