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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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SEC Basketball Davidson Wildcats Kellan Grady Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Basketball Davidson Wildcats Kellan Grady Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. How will Kentucky basketball bounce back in 2021-22?

The Kentucky Wildcats had quite the season in 2020-21 under head coach John Calipari. It was the first time since 2013 that the Wildcats didn’t make the NCAA Tournament as they went 9-16 on the year, 8-9 in SEC play.

The Wildcats offense was sporadic at-best in 2020-21, ranking just 11th in the conference in scoring offense (70.4 ppg) and 3-pointers made per game (6.4) and 12th in field goal percentage (41.7 percent).

Kentucky, as always though, has a renewed sense of culture with a new crop of recruits, with transfers Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia), CJ Fredrick (Iowa), and Kellan Grady (Davidson) leading the way.

Tshiebwe will give them an anchor in the post that can make plays on both ends. He left the Mountaineers program this past season after averaging 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest through 10 appearances.

Fredrick put up 7.5 points and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point land for the Hawkeyes in 2020-21. He’ll certainly boost their perimeter shooting this upcoming season.

Grady is the wildcard of the group given the impact he’s already made at Dayton. He was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection from 2018-21 and put up 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 2020-21. His experience on the wing will be something to look forward to.

TyTy Washington, Daiomion Collins, and Bryce Hopkins will be the freshmen to round out their rotation as well. If Calipari can find the team chemistry early, it will be interesting to see how well the Wildcats fare in 2021-22.

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