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SEC Basketball: Way-too-early award predictions for 2021-22 season

By Matt Melton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Jaden Shackelford #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dribbles up court against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of their semifinal game in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama defeats Tennessee 73-68. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Jaden Shackelford #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dribbles up court against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of their semifinal game in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama defeats Tennessee 73-68. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball Nate Oats Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

SEC Basketball Players of the Year

Player of the Year: JD Davison, Alabama

The 5-star point guard comes to Tuscaloosa as the third highest-rated recruit in Alabama history. Already one of the top point guards in the country before he has even played a college basketball game, Davison can do-it-all from highlight-reel dunks and ball-handling to outstanding passing and a strong jump shot.

Alabama will be the favorite in the SEC this season, and when Davison is given the keys to Nate Oats’ offense this coming season, is it too crazy to say that Davison will average 20/5/5, if not more? Plain and simple, if you had to pick one player in the SEC to label “must-see” this season, it’s hard to find a better choice than Davison.

Coach of the Year: Nate Oats, Alabama

Is it possible to go back-to-back years winning SEC Coach of the Year? That is something that is a possibility for Nate Oats at Alabama this season.

The Crimson Tide, despite losing multiple prominent players, will arguably be even better in 2021-22, and if Alabama wins the SEC once again, Oats will once again be a favorite.

Other names including Eric Musselman, John Calipari, Rick Barnes, and Bruce Pearl will be candidates as well, but one name to watch in particular is Ben Howland. Mississippi State has emerged as a dark horse team in the SEC after a phenomenal offseason, meaning Howland’s Bulldogs’ could be set for a big 2021-22 season.

Freshman of the Year: JD Davison, Alabama

As mentioned previously, Davison has the potential to be special this season at Alabama. If Davison is good enough to win the SEC Player of the Year, the SEC Freshman of the Year should be considered a near-100% lock.

Sixth-Man of the Year: Justin Powell, Tennessee

There are numerous way-too-early choices to win Sixth-Man of the Year, but one that sticks out, in particular, is Powell. The Auburn transfer averaged 11/6/4 in 10 games last season, but might not even start for the Volunteers considering Tennessee has a deep backcourt headlined by Kennedy Chandler and Santiago Vescovi.

If Powell comes off the bench for the Volunteers, he has the potential to be one of the better bench options in the SEC.

Next. WTE SEC Power Rankings for 2021-22 Season. dark

While it is still too early for even end-of-year award predictions, the picture for how the SEC might play out in 2021-22 is becoming clearer by the day. Will these predictions come true this season, or are we in for a big surprise season for SEC Basketball altogether?

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