Player of the Week
Somto Cyril, Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs currently sit at No. 23 in the nation with an 11–1 record, and one of the unsung heroes of that success has been 6’11” center (full name) Somtochukwu Cyril out of Nigeria. In Georgia’s 103–74 win over West Georgia, Cyril posted an impressive stat line of 15 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. He has been a force defensively all season, while also proving to be an extremely efficient scorer. Cyril is shooting 82.5 percent from the field on the year and has not missed a shot in his last 18 attempts. Considering he is just a sophomore, “Somto” still has plenty of untapped potential as he continues to develop.
Who’s Hot
Kentucky Wildcats
After a poor 5–4 start to the season, many college basketball fans, myself included, began to count out the Kentucky Wildcats. However, the offense has started to click, and Kentucky is now riding a four-game winning streak. Over the past week, the Wildcats picked up a notable win over Indiana, followed by a 78–66 victory against St. John’s. Even better news for Kentucky, long-awaited transfer Jayden Quaintance returned to the lineup after working back from an ACL tear suffered prior to the season.
Marquel Sutton, LSU
LSU is another team off to a surprisingly strong start, and much of that can be credited to senior forward Marquel Sutton. While he shares scoring responsibilities with teammates Dedan Thomas Jr. and Mike Nwoko, Sutton has emerged as the Tigers’ X-factor over the past couple of games. In LSU’s most recent win over Prairie View A&M, Sutton finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He has led the team in both categories in each of their last three wins and will look to carry that momentum into conference play in January.
Who’s Not
Missouri Tigers
Entering Monday’s matchup against No. 20 Illinois, Missouri sat at an impressive 10–2. Any momentum they carried into the game quickly disappeared in a lopsided 91–48 loss. The Tigers now head into the new year at 10–3, a record that looks solid on paper but has raised concerns. Missouri has lost both of its ranked matchups by 20 or more points, exposing issues against high-level competition. In a loaded SEC, the Tigers must find a way to better compete with ranked teams if they want to be viewed as legitimate contenders.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
After an impressive start to his sophomore season, Tahaad Pettiford struggled mightily in Auburn’s matchup against No. 5 Purdue. In the Tigers’ 88–60 loss, Pettiford went 2-of-7 from the field and connected on just one three-pointer, an area that has otherwise been a strength for him this season. Auburn’s entire offense had difficulty finding rhythm, and this is a performance the Tigers will be eager to put behind them as conference play approaches.
Top 5 True Freshmen in the SEC
5. Malachi Moreno, Kentucky
Coming out of high school, Malachi Moreno earned numerous accolades, including state champion, McDonald’s All-American, and Mr. Kentucky Basketball. Those honors brought high expectations, and Moreno has gotten off to a solid collegiate start, averaging 9.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Still just a freshman, he is gradually gaining confidence and becoming more comfortable shooting the ball as freely as he did in high school.
4. Amari Allen, Alabama
Standing at 6’8” and 205 pounds, Amari Allen has the physical tools to develop into a dominant presence for Alabama. He carries a similar frame to former Crimson Tide star and No. 2 overall NBA Draft pick Brandon Miller. Allen has shown flashes on both ends of the floor, averaging 10.2 points and seven rebounds per game. His most impressive outing came in early December when he posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. With Alabama’s loaded roster, Allen has still managed to solidify himself as a starting forward.
3. Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
Meleek Thomas opened the season on a tear, averaging nearly 20 points per game, but his production has dipped in December. He is now averaging 14.2 points per game while shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three. Despite the struggles, Thomas’ 6’5” frame and athleticism give him the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. While the recent slump raises questions, it is far too early to write him off as a long-term prospect.
2. Nate Ament, Tennessee
With a 6’10”, 207-pound frame, it’s easy to understand why NBA scouts are intrigued by Nate Ament. Entering the season projected as a lottery pick, Ament has been tasked with handling lofty expectations. He has responded with a productive year, averaging 15.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. While the numbers may not always jump off the page, his upside becomes evident within minutes of watching him play.
1. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Darius Acuff Jr. has been on a completely different trajectory than most freshmen in the SEC. He has won SEC Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week honors three consecutive times and continues to elevate his play. Acuff leads the Razorbacks offensively, averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 assists per game. Even in Arkansas’ 94–85 loss to Houston, Acuff delivered his best performance of the season with 27 points and six assists. If this level of production continues, he will firmly place himself in the conversation as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.