Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Top 25 returning players for 2019-20 season

By Donovan Darlington

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 08: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats reaches for a loose ball against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on January 8, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 08: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats reaches for a loose ball against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on January 8, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 19: John Petty #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives past Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 19: John Petty #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives past Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

25. Blake Hinson | Ole Miss | F | Sophomore |

As a Freshman last season, Blake Hinson played in 32 games and was given 24 minutes per contest. Hinson provided a huge boost to the Rebels, both offensively and defensively, immediately. He provided size to a lineup that really needed it, and he is one of the main reasons Ole Miss front court significantly improved and was so hard to handle a season ago.

The performances of the Ole Miss guards often overshadowed his contributions, but he averaged 8.3 and 2.9 ppg last season. As a sophomore, he is much more experienced and ready to be even better to help lead this Ole Miss team.

24. Justin Minaya | South Carolina | F | Sophomore |

Justin Minaya has not seen much basketball action since the 2017-18 season. Toward the beginning of last year, he suffered a season-ending knee injury and was redshirted. Well, he is now healthy and back to help South Carolina. Things might have gone better for the Gamecocks a season ago had he not been injured.

When taking his performance as a freshman back in 2017-18 into account, it can clearly be said that his return is much needed for the Gamecocks to start making steps in the right direction. In 2017-18, Minaya averaged 7.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg. Now that he is back, I think he will go off and make his name will be known around the SEC.

23. John Petty Jr. | Alabama | G | Junior |

Ever since John Petty came onto the scene back in 2017-18 as a Freshman, I have felt like he has been one of the more under-appreciated guards in the SEC. Yes, there have been plenty of great guards in the SEC, but I think Petty deserves being recognized as one of those great guards. He has played in 70 games for the Crimson Tide, averaging 10.2 ppg.

He is quick with the ball in his hands and has a reliable mid-range game. It is going to be his ability to step up and silence the critics that determine whether or not Alabama will be able to compete in the SEC in a year in which many people are writing them off.

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