SEC Basketball: Top returning players on each team for 2019-20 season

Tennessee – Lamonte Turner

A veteran-savvy team last year, Tennessee lost four critical rotational players, including its top three leading scorers. Though a big restructure of the rotation is underway, Lamonte Turner‘s return is a huge plus for the Volunteers.

Turner missed part of the season due to injury but returned for conference play and instantly became a big contributor. Not only did he show flashes of offensive potential — he scored 24 points in the SEC Tournament final against Auburn, and averaged 11 points per game — but he rarely turned the ball over.

In a crowded offense that starred the likes of Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams, among others, Turner still found the ball in his hands often. Now entering his senior year, it’s Turner’s turn to finally become the reliable, everyday starter.

LSU – Javonte Smart

The defending SEC champions will have a new look to its rotation after losing its two leading scorers and promising sophomore big Kavell Bigby-Williams to the NBA. Bringing in ESPN’s No. 19 recruit and five-star Trendon Watford will help give LSU a strong body in the paint, but its biggest strength is the backcourt, where Skylar Mays and Javonte Smart return for another year.

Mays is the veteran senior that will provide stability throughout, but it’s Smart that has the potential to break out as a star in the SEC. Entering his sophomore season, Smart will be the floor general for LSU.

There were some freshman growing pains for Smart, who struggled with his efficiency. He shot 36.8 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from 3 — but he proved he could erupt at any moment (think 82-80 OT win over Tennessee). Smart may not be the veteran like Mays, but he has all the tools needed to star for Will Wade’s team.