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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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Austin Wiley #50 of the Auburn Tigers dunks the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half of the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Austin Wiley #50 of the Auburn Tigers dunks the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half of the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

18. E.J. Montgomery | Kentucky | F | Sophomore |

E.J. Montgomery saw limited minutes as a freshman last year. He was given just about 16 minutes per contest and contributed just under 4.0 ppg. Due to his limited minutes, his performance last season was not a good indicator of how good he really is. He is a great defender and can be a very prolific scorer from mid-range.

I expect to see him used more in Calipari’s offensive schemes this season. Montgomery is physical and brings the fire that will be needed for Kentucky to prevail in tight games against the other national contenders they will be playing. He has a strong attitude that sets him apart from other forwards in the conference.

17. Austin Wiley | Auburn | C | Senior |

Austin Wiley was very important to the depth of the Auburn Tigers last season. He was not a regular starter, but he received some valuable minutes off the bench. The Auburn guards were given the green light more often than the forwards, but when the came, Wiley’s imposing size and strong physical presence easily threw off opposing defenses. He averaged 6.9 ppg and 4.0 rpg last season.

A factor that could either make or break the Auburn Tigers this season is whether or not Wiley can remain free of injury. If he is healthy the entire year, the rest of the SEC better look out because he’s one of the more dominant players in the paint in the entire league.

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