1. Florida
Leading the way for the Gators will be guard Kenny Boynton (15.9 ppg), who turned down the NBA. Boynton is the returning leader scorer in the SEC. Boynton is just a flat out scorer. He is a great athlete that can drive to the hole and shoot the three. Last season he made 110 threes while shooting 41 %. Don’t be shocked to see Boynton running the point at times he was second on the team in assists last season. Joining him in the backcourt will be former Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario (6.6 ppg). Rosario is ready for a bigger role this season after coming off the bench last year. He should average in double figures this season because he cans score in a variety of ways. Look for Scottie Wibekin (2.2 ppg) to start at point guard for the Gators. He has been the backup point guard the last two seasons. He is a good three pointer shooter shooting 46 % from three last season. The depth here will be inexperienced but talented. Freshman Braxton Ogbueze, Michael Fraizier and Dillion Graham will provide the depth. Ogbueze is a top 50 recruit that should see plenty time at the point this season.
2. Missouri
The strength of this team will once again be in the backcourt. Leading the way is point guard Phil Pressey (10.3 ppg). Last season Pressey led the Big 12 in assists, steals, and assist to turnover ratio. He is most likely the fastest guard in the country. The rest of the Tigers starting backcourt will consist of highly talented transfers. In his last season at Pepperdine Keion Ball averaged 18.9 ppg and at his last season at Auburn Earnest Ross scored 13.1 ppg. Both players are pure scores that excel at attacking the rim but can also shot the three. Both are also good rebounders for their position. Oregon transfer Jabari Brown a former McDonalds’ All American will become eligible mid-December. Also providing depth will be freshman Dominique Bull and Negus Webster-Chan.
3. Kentucky
Leading the Wildcats in the backcourt will be another stud freshman in Archie Goodwin. Goodwin is a flat out scorer. His biggest strength is his ability to attack the rim. He is explosive off the dribble and a freak athlete. He is also pretty good three point shooter. Goodwin also has the knack to get it done on the defense end. Like most freshman he needs to get stronger. Running the point guard duties will be NC State transfer Ryan Horrow, who sat out last season. He averaged 9.3 points pg in his freshman season with NC State. While he is not on the level of Calipari’s last 5 point guards he is still pretty darn good. The top option off the bench will be Wright State transfer Julius Mays. He averaged 14.1 ppg there and shot 42 % from three. Also providing depth will be Jon Hood, Jarrod Polson and Twany Beckhman.
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