Player of the Week
Oscar Tshiebwe-Kentucky
Oscar is clearly the most dominant rebounder in the entire country, and that includes several seasons, averaging over 15 per game. He is also the most efficient scorer in the conference, leading the SEC by over 10% at 64% from the field. He is a double-double machine, recording one in nine of his 11 games played. This week, Tshiebwe posted a monster double-double, dropping 14 points, and grabbing 28 rebounds. This guy is incredible and so fun to watch battle down low. Look for him to continue to anchor this team as he has a unique skill set that makes him a difference maker at the college level.
Who’s Hot?
LSU Tigers
While they only played one game this week, they dominated Lipscomb 95-60. They were lead by Darius Days 21 points. Six Tigers recorded double digits in points, in what was a very efficient game that was no sweat. The only unbeaten left in the SEC has a real test against Auburn on Wednesday and that should be a great matchup.
Chris Lykes, JD Notae– Guards, Arkansas
The senior guards were on fire this week. With Lykes scoring 19 points off the bench in a loss to Hofstra in which he hit four threes. He followed that up with 21 points against Elon in which he hit all 12 of his free throws. Notae against Hofstra also came off the bench and was the team’s high scorer with 20 points and six rebounds. Notae moved back into the starting lineup with Lykes against Elon and record 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Phlandrous Fleming Jr.- Guard, Florida
Fleming dropped a season high 20 points playing extended minutes with Myreon Jones entering health and safety. His shot from deep is starting to fall, as he has hit two or more threes in three straight games, and four in his last game. Look for Fleming to see more minutes and to take advantage of that. At 6’5”, Flemming possesses very solid size for a guard and is a very solid rebounder.
Who’s Not?
Myreon Jones– Guard, Florida
Hopefully Jones bounces back from the protocols quickly and his time away helps him refocus, because he hasn’t shot well from three lately, only hitting four of his last 27 attempts from deep. Jones is a much better shooter than that. In a highly competitive conference, Florida will need Jones to return to form as the season progresses, because he will play a crucial role on this team as a scorer.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide has lost two of their last three games, and have really struggled of late. While their loss to Davidson was only by one point, that was a very winnable game for a team with this much talent. They need to tighten it up defensively, because when you allow a team to shoot 53% from the field and 50% on threes, like they did against Davidson, you are not going to win many games. Bama is a very talented offensive team, but if they do not figure it out on the defensive side of the court, they will not be able to realize their potential in March.
Top Five SEC Shooters
1. Jaden Shackelford– Guard, Alabama
Jaden is having his best shooting season of his career, converting 43% of his attempts from deep on over eight attempts per game. Shackelford is averaging over three made threes per game, and has been sensational in most of his games from deep. Shackelford does more than just shoot, but still takes a ton of attempts and converts on a very high percentage of them. Due to volume and per game averages, Jaden gets our nod as the best shooter in the conference.
2. Kellen Grady– Guard, Kentucky
The Davidson transfer is a sniper from deep, and his role is to be a knock down shooter when he gets the ball. Grady has hit some very clutch shots already in his first season at Kentucky and will for sure hit many more as the season goes on. Grady is shooting 47% from deep on over five attempts per game. Grady has been incredible at home, connecting on over 50% of his shots from deep and has been huge for them.
3. Jabari Smith– Forward, Auburn
Smith is third on our list of shooters which is incredibly impressive when you consider all of the other things that he does well. The freshman phenom has been outstanding for Auburn this year. Ranking eleventh in attempts from deep, and fourth in percentage at 45%. Smith has proven himself as a guy who can score from all three levels, and truly stretch the floor as a big man.
4. Darius Days– Forward, LSU
Days is another impressive all around player who can really stroke it. He is shooting 38% from deep this year, which is 13th in the conference, but is fourth in attempts. Days has been a consistent threat from deep for the final unbeaten team in the conference. Expect Days to keep taking a bunch of shots from deep, as he is always looking to shoot it.
5. Myreon Jones– Guard, Florida
Jones is struggling entering protocols, but he is a natural three-point shooter. He has a great shot and is usually very consistent. The reason he makes the list, is before his recent five-game struggle (4-27), he shot 41% from deep. A return to form post time off, could boost him higher on this list, as he can really knock them down from deep.