Player of the Week
Alex Condon, Florida Gators
The Florida Gators have been on a tear lately, winning 17 of their last 19 games, and junior Alex Condon has played a major role in that run. In his last two appearances, Condon scored a combined 47 points while shooting an efficient 19-for-25 from the field. His 6’11” frame allows him to score effectively around the rim while anchoring the paint defensively. During Wednesday’s win over the Texas Longhorns, Condon recorded a season-high four blocks along with four rebounds. He will look to carry that momentum into Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Freshman of the Week
Amari Allen, Alabama Crimson Tide
Amari Allen continues to grow in confidence as the season progresses and has become a key piece of Alabama’s success. The 6’8” freshman delivered a standout performance in Wednesday’s 100-75 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, scoring 23 points while hitting six of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. At his size, Allen’s ability to stretch the floor makes him a dangerous weapon and adds another dimension to Alabama’s offense.
Who’s Hot
Missouri Tigers
On Tuesday night, the Missouri Tigers pulled off another upset, defeating the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers. The victory marked Missouri’s second win over a Top 25 opponent in the span of a week. With an offense led by Mark Mitchell, Jayden Stone, and Trent Pierce, the Tigers are emerging as a team few will want to face when March arrives.
Max Mackinnon, LSU Tigers
Senior transfer Max Mackinnon has elevated his profile this season after arriving from Elon and Portland. Previously averaging 12.7 points during his earlier college stops, Mackinnon has flourished in the SEC, posting 15.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 40% from three. The 6’6” guard erupted for a season-high 34 points in a 106-99 double-overtime win against the Ole Miss Rebels. His shooting efficiency and scoring versatility have helped take his game to another level.
Who’s Not
Ole Miss Rebels
Wednesday’s double-overtime loss to LSU marked the Rebels’ tenth consecutive defeat, capping a disastrous stretch for the program. Sitting at 11-17 overall and last place in the SEC, Ole Miss appears to be heading toward a reset. Compounding the issue, the Rebels’ top three scorers — AJ Storr, Malik Dia, and Ilias Kamardine — are all seniors who will graduate at the end of the semester. A roster rebuild may be necessary for the program to regain traction moving forward.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn Tigers
Tahaad Pettiford’s recent struggles mirror Auburn’s slide late in the season. In a critical matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners, Pettiford shot just 1-for-9 from the field and finished with four points in a 91-79 loss. The performance dropped his season field-goal percentage to 37.5%. With the NCAA Tournament approaching, Auburn now finds itself on the outside of the bracket picture, and Pettiford will need to rediscover his scoring rhythm quickly to change that outlook.
Top 5 Defenders in the SEC
1. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida Gators
Rueben Chinyelu tops the list as a potential Naismith Defensive Player of the Year candidate. The 6’10”, 265-pound center leads the SEC with 11.5 rebounds per game and is on track to become the first Florida player in 50 years to average a double-double. His physicality, rim protection, and rebounding dominance have helped turn the Florida Gators into one of the nation’s most formidable defensive teams.
2. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt Commodores
Despite standing just 6’0” and 173 pounds, Tyler Tanner has become one of the SEC’s most disruptive defenders. His quick hands and anticipation have helped him lead the conference with 2.4 steals per game. Tanner’s relentless energy and defensive instincts make him a constant problem for opposing guards.
3. Malachi Moreno, Kentucky Wildcats
With transfer Jayden Quaintance sidelined due to injury, true freshman Malachi Moreno has stepped into the starting center role for the Kentucky Wildcats. The 7’0” big man is averaging 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 0.6 steals while anchoring the interior defense. His presence has kept Kentucky’s frontcourt defense steady despite the injury setback.
4. Amari Allen, Alabama Crimson Tide
While his offensive skill set continues to develop, Allen’s defensive impact is already significant. He is averaging 7.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 1.2 steals during his freshman campaign. On a Crimson Tide team known for its offense, Allen’s defensive versatility provides valuable balance.
5. Somto Cyril, Georgia Bulldogs
Somtochukwu Cyril has emerged as one of the conference’s premier rim protectors. The sophomore from Enugu, Nigeria, leads the SEC with 2.5 blocks per game. At 6’11” and 260 pounds, his size and physical presence consistently deter opponents at the rim.