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

12. Nick Richards | Kentucky | F | Junior |

In an exhibition game a few nights ago, Nick Richards went down with an injury to the lower leg. I hope it is nothing too serious and that he is able to make a quick return. Richards, the Junior forward from Kingston, Jamaica, is set to play a key role for the Kentucky Wildcats this season. In the past two seasons, Richards has barely eclipsed 5.0 ppg. This is due to the fact that Kentucky has had quite a great deal of depth those two years.

The importance of Richards and the reason he is a top player in the SEC goes far beyond the numbers that go on his stat line. Richards is a great emotional leader for the Wildcats and he is the kind of guy you need in crunch time to boost the morale of the other guys on the team. This will be important to the success of the Wildcats this year.

11. Samir Doughty | Auburn | G | Senior |

Samir Doughty is an Auburn guard that often lived in the shadows of Bryce Brown and Jared Harper in the backcourt. He did not start regularly for the Tigers, but he did play a very large role. He played just over 24 minutes per game and averaged 7.3 ppg. In the loss in the 2019 Final Four to Virginia, Doughty scored 13 points. One thing that makes Doughty so great is his ability to stay extremely active without the ball. He is constantly moving and looking to create open looks.

As a starter this year, much of the offense will go through him, so his ability to set good looks up for himself will be extremely important. Doughty is the best player on this Auburn roster and the other schools in the SEC better be ready for him.