Player of the Week
Mason Jones (Arkansas)
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound junior guard racked up 41 points in a win against Tulsa. The 41-point performance ties for seventh-most in Arkansas basketball history in addition to its being the second-most in the history of Bud Walton Arena. He also had six rebounds, four steals, four assists and a block against the Golden Hurricane. This was Jones’ second game of the season with over 30 points and the fourth of his career. He was lights out within the 3-point arc, shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the field. Jones also shot 12-of-13 from the charity stripe, where he saw nearly a third of his points come from.
Last season, Jones saw court time in all 34 games and was named a starter in 26 of them. He ranked second on the team in rebounds per game (3.9), as well as total assists (96) and steals (31). Nine games into this early season, Jones leads the team in scoring (19.6) and steals (2.2) as he seeks to become an all-around scoring threat to whoever ends up in front of him on the defensive end.
Who’s Hot?
Emanuel Miller (Texas A&M)
One of the most watched freshman at the forward position this season, the 6-foot-7, 213-pound Canadian had a season-high 20 points in the Aggies win over A&M-Corpus Christi. Miller shot 7-of-8 from the field and was 100% when shooting from the free throw line (6-of-6). His 20-point total is the most by a freshman since TJ Starks scored 21 against North Carolina in March of 2018. On top of his scoring outbreak, he also tallied six rebounds, one assist, one block and a steal.
Auburn Tigers – Bruce Pearl’s Tigers are now one of just four remaining undefeated teams nationwide. They’ve started this season red-hot, going 10-0 and boasting 22 wins in their last 23 games dating back to last year. In the SEC, they’re ranked in the top 3 of various team statistics: Scoring (82.6), scoring margin (+14.9), blocks (6.1), offensive rebounds (13.4), defensive rebounds (29.1) and 3-pointers made (8.7). The versatility of this team is obviously on display already as they look forward to keep this streak rolling once conference play starts up.
Who’s Not?
Vanderbilt Commodores – Losing three of their last four, the 6-4 Commodores have suffered bad back-to-back losses against Liberty and Loyola Chicago. In the game against Liberty, Coach Stackhouse’s team shot 35% from the floor for the game and an abysmal 23% in the second half alone scoring just six baskets. Against Loyola Chicago, Vandy was dominated by Cameron Krutwig who posted a triple-double for the Ramblers leading their success down low. In this matchup, The Commodores had numerous defensive breakdowns mostly throughout the second half and really hurt themselves from the free-throw line by shooting just 59% (13-of-22).
Texas A&M Aggies – Buzz Williams’ boys just aren’t getting it done under his first season as coach. Seemingly scraping rock bottom, the Aggies just barely slid by a 4-5 A&M Corpus Christi team winning by just three points (63-60). Not only upholding the worst record in the SEC (4-5), they rank last in seven different statistical categories within the conference: Scoring offense (57.0), scoring margin (-5.8; only team in SEC with a negative margin), FG-percentage (37.9%), 3-point percentage (23.9%), assists (10.4), defensive rebounds (23.8) and 3-pointers made (4.2). At this rate, Texas A&M should be happy if they win at least one SEC game come conference play.
Top 5 Toughest Places to Play in the SEC
#5) Florida Gators – Stephen C. O’Connell Center opened in the 80s and underwent major renovations just three years ago in 2016. They’re average home attendance this year is 9,794 landing them No. 5 in the SEC. According to past records, the attendance at this arena decreases within the months of November and December so it’s likely we see these numbers pick up as the season progresses.
#4) South Carolina Gamecocks – So far this season, Colonial Life Arena has brought in an average home attendance of 10,487 placing them at No 4. Here. This building is large and when it’s packed, it gets real loud. It is one of the newer arenas in the SEC as it was built in 2002.
#3) Arkansas Razorbacks – In 1993, Bud Walton (Co-founder of Wal-Mart) paid half of the $30 million it took to build this basketball arena respectfully being named “Bud Walton Arena”. Ranked third in the SEC due to their average home attendance of 13,476.
#2) Tennessee Volunteers – Thompson-Boling Arena is a huge building that boasts one of the largest capacities in the SEC as it has maintained an average attendance of 18,662 at home this season. Next to Florida’s Stephen C. O’Connell Center, another one of the older arenas in the conference that built over three decades ago (1987), but received copious renovations in 2008.
#1) Kentucky Wildcats – Built in 1976 and easily the most notable arena in the conference, Rupp Arena packs an average of 19,889 at home this season and has served as one of the nation’s most difficult places today between the teams talent year in and year out as well as the rabid fan base of “Big Blue Nation” under Coach Calipari. Facing the Cats at home is a menace for any opponent.