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SEC Basketball: 10 key questions looming for the 2021-22 season

By Jerran Anderson

Mar 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks to Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jahvon Quinerly (13) and Alabama Crimson Tide guard John Petty Jr. (23) during the second half against Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks to Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jahvon Quinerly (13) and Alabama Crimson Tide guard John Petty Jr. (23) during the second half against Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cuanzo Martin SEC Basketball Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Cuanzo Martin SEC Basketball Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Can Cuonzo Martin and the Tigers make the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons?

Just when it looked like things couldn’t get worse for the Missouri Tigers, they got better in 2020-21 as they made their second NCAA Tournament appearance in four seasons under Cuonzo Martin. Martin continues to show he can thrive in his second stint as an SEC head coach.

Granted, they lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but it’s not easy going .500 in a conference that features the likes of Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas and the coaching star power that their programs possess.

Martin is far removed from his post with the Tennessee Volunteers (2011-14) but he’s shown he can survive the gauntlet that is SEC basketball. They’ll have a new cast of names leading the way for them but the Tigers will certainly look to be a tough out once again in 2021-22.

DaJuan Gordon (Kansas State) leads the names of impact players out of the transfer portal. He finished with 9.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per contest in 2020-21.

Ronnie Gray (UMass) is another prospect to know. He posted 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 15 appearances this past season.

Missouri has some holes to replace entering a new season but Martin has proven he can do more with less. Look for the Tigers to make some noise in the middle of the pack of the SEC.

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