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4 SEC teams in ESPN’s first 2020-21 College Basketball Top 25
Posted on 3/23/20 at 8:50 am
Posted on 3/23/20 at 8:50 am
5. Kentucky Wildcats
This might be the team with the most up in the air in terms of the NBA draft. As a projected lottery pick, Tyrese Maxey is likely to go pro. But Ashton Hagans, Nick Richards and Immanuel Quickley are all ranked in the Nos. 45-60 range in ESPN's NBA draft rankings -- so all three could go either way. Richards and Quickley were two of the best players in the SEC this season, with both enjoying breakout campaigns. Hagans is an elite defensive point guard who had some offensive inconsistencies late in the season. And here's a surprise: John Calipari is bringing in the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. Five-star wings B.J. Boston and Terrence Clarke could start immediately, and five-star point guard Devin Askew will step in if Hagans leaves. Four-star Isaiah Jackson will provide some rim protection. Kentucky could theoretically be the preseason No. 1 if everyone returns, but there's a lot left to play out in Lexington.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols took an expected step back this season after the departure of three starters and season-ending injury to Lamonte Turner. But the 2020-21 campaign looks bright. Veteran stalwart Jordan Bowden is gone, but that's it. Four starters return, including three double-figure scorers: point guard Santiago Vescovi and forwards Yves Pons and John Fulkerson. Versatile wing Josiah-Jordan James is also back. Rick Barnes also has a loaded group of newcomers entering the program, led by five-star guards Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson, as well as ESPN 100 forward Corey Walker and Oregon transfer Victor Bailey Jr. Tennessee is going to be deep, experienced and versatile -- and could move up the rankings as teams ahead of the Volunteers lose guys to the NBA draft.
18. LSU Tigers
Will Wade's team could be absolutely loaded with talent if things fall right. Of course, the people of Baton Rouge will have to wait and see what happens with the potential draft decisions of Javonte Smart, Trendon Watford and Emmitt Williams. All three could at least explore their options, and Skylar Mays is already out of eligibility. But if a couple of the draft hopefuls return to school, the Tigers will have the pieces to push toward the top of the SEC standings again. Wade has a talented incoming recruiting class, led by five-star guard Cam Thomas -- arguably the best pure bucket-getter in the 2020 class. Georgetown transfer Josh LeBlanc and ESPN 100 prospect Mwani Wilkinson also should make an impact. This ranking could drop significantly if a couple of the aforementioned players keep their names in the draft, though.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
It was a transition season in Fayetteville, with Eric Musselman taking over and hitting the transfer market hard in his first season at the helm. But 2019-20 also saw a huge breakout campaign from Mason Jones, who established himself as one of the best players in the SEC. Jones and Isaiah Joe were one of the highest-scoring duos in the country and both are expected back for another season. Musselman also landed four ESPN 100 prospects from inside the state and has three transfers eligible after sitting out. The ones expected to make the biggest impact are Jacksonville transfer J.D. Notae (15.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG), California transfer Connor Vanover (7.5 PPG) and top-40 recruit Moses Moody. All three could start right off the bat. Musselman has done the rapid-rebuild thing before at Nevada and he's on his way at Arkansas.
Next in line:
Florida Gators
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This might be the team with the most up in the air in terms of the NBA draft. As a projected lottery pick, Tyrese Maxey is likely to go pro. But Ashton Hagans, Nick Richards and Immanuel Quickley are all ranked in the Nos. 45-60 range in ESPN's NBA draft rankings -- so all three could go either way. Richards and Quickley were two of the best players in the SEC this season, with both enjoying breakout campaigns. Hagans is an elite defensive point guard who had some offensive inconsistencies late in the season. And here's a surprise: John Calipari is bringing in the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. Five-star wings B.J. Boston and Terrence Clarke could start immediately, and five-star point guard Devin Askew will step in if Hagans leaves. Four-star Isaiah Jackson will provide some rim protection. Kentucky could theoretically be the preseason No. 1 if everyone returns, but there's a lot left to play out in Lexington.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols took an expected step back this season after the departure of three starters and season-ending injury to Lamonte Turner. But the 2020-21 campaign looks bright. Veteran stalwart Jordan Bowden is gone, but that's it. Four starters return, including three double-figure scorers: point guard Santiago Vescovi and forwards Yves Pons and John Fulkerson. Versatile wing Josiah-Jordan James is also back. Rick Barnes also has a loaded group of newcomers entering the program, led by five-star guards Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson, as well as ESPN 100 forward Corey Walker and Oregon transfer Victor Bailey Jr. Tennessee is going to be deep, experienced and versatile -- and could move up the rankings as teams ahead of the Volunteers lose guys to the NBA draft.
18. LSU Tigers
Will Wade's team could be absolutely loaded with talent if things fall right. Of course, the people of Baton Rouge will have to wait and see what happens with the potential draft decisions of Javonte Smart, Trendon Watford and Emmitt Williams. All three could at least explore their options, and Skylar Mays is already out of eligibility. But if a couple of the draft hopefuls return to school, the Tigers will have the pieces to push toward the top of the SEC standings again. Wade has a talented incoming recruiting class, led by five-star guard Cam Thomas -- arguably the best pure bucket-getter in the 2020 class. Georgetown transfer Josh LeBlanc and ESPN 100 prospect Mwani Wilkinson also should make an impact. This ranking could drop significantly if a couple of the aforementioned players keep their names in the draft, though.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
It was a transition season in Fayetteville, with Eric Musselman taking over and hitting the transfer market hard in his first season at the helm. But 2019-20 also saw a huge breakout campaign from Mason Jones, who established himself as one of the best players in the SEC. Jones and Isaiah Joe were one of the highest-scoring duos in the country and both are expected back for another season. Musselman also landed four ESPN 100 prospects from inside the state and has three transfers eligible after sitting out. The ones expected to make the biggest impact are Jacksonville transfer J.D. Notae (15.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG), California transfer Connor Vanover (7.5 PPG) and top-40 recruit Moses Moody. All three could start right off the bat. Musselman has done the rapid-rebuild thing before at Nevada and he's on his way at Arkansas.
Next in line:
Florida Gators
LINK
Posted on 3/23/20 at 9:04 am to volfan30
No coincidence that these teams are 1, 5, 6 and 7 respectively in the recruiting rankings atm.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 11:22 am to volfan30
All the talk here is that Quickley is coming back. SEC is gonna be up shite creek baws
Posted on 3/23/20 at 11:26 am to volfan30
Nonsense, LSU is getting the death penalty. ForeverRustled has been telling us for a year now.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 12:00 pm to UKWildcats
Till he has to play Fulk again
Posted on 3/23/20 at 3:08 pm to UKWildcats
As long as Maxie, Richards, and hagans leave I don’t think Kentucky will be untouchable. If Quickley plus another 1-2 of those stay it could be tough even though some other teams will also potentially be loaded.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 4:07 pm to volfan30
If the SEC’s leading scoring duo in Jones/Joe return, and 7’3” Connor Vanover shoots the three like he expects to do, we might score 150 a game.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 5:23 pm to FiddleHead
quote:Never heard of her.
Till he has to play Fulk again
Posted on 3/23/20 at 11:24 pm to UKWildcats
She just the chick who dropped 8 consecutive points on Nick Bichards your so elite big man when they went head to head GTFOH with that shite
Posted on 3/24/20 at 12:21 am to UKWildcats
Frick you your coach is a puss and still the guy is right fulk had ole Bichard by the balls.
This post was edited on 3/24/20 at 1:21 am
Posted on 3/24/20 at 4:24 pm to volfan30
Auburn will finish in the top 3 of the SEC and make the sweet 16 and Bruce still won’t win coach of the year again.
Posted on 3/24/20 at 4:25 pm to SECdragonmaster
If Auburn gets Jalen it'll be a young team that is dangerous by the end of the season after some growing pains early.
Posted on 3/24/20 at 8:32 pm to volfan30
It's nice to get some respect once again.
Thanks Muss and this team of overachievers.
Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train this time.
Thanks Muss and this team of overachievers.
Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train this time.
This post was edited on 3/24/20 at 8:33 pm
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