SEC Basketball: 6 breakout candidates to watch for 2021-22 season

By Matt Melton | Oct 16, 2021

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 27: Walker Kessler #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts as time expires during their game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Dean Smith Center on February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 78-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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SEC Basketball Dontaie Allen Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

6. G Dontaie Allen – Kentucky Wildcats

Averaging 5.4 PPG a year ago while appearing in 22 games, Allen is a popular choice for a 2021-22 breakout candidate after some of his impressive performances a year ago. Finishing the season with a 23-point performance against Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament (his second 23-point showing against the Bulldogs last season), Allen could be set for a big breakout campaign this season.

The Wildcats 2021-22 backcourt is one of the deepest in the entire SEC, and while Allen will likely not start, he should play a key reserve role for Kentucky this season. The redshirt-sophomore will likely see an increase in minutes from a year ago, and will likely be one of the leading scorers off the Wildcats bench.

5. F Mwani Wilkinson – LSU Tigers

A former four-star recruit, Wilkinson appeared in 27 games with the Tigers as a freshman a year ago, 14 of which were starts. Averaging 17 MPG, Wilkinson only averaged 3.6 PPG and 2.7 RPG for the Tigers, but did shoot an impressive 78.4% from the field.

With LSU having to replace three of their top four leading scorers from a year ago, Wilkinson will likely play a key role during the 2021-22 campaign that could see the sophomore forward as a constant in the Tigers starting lineup. Regardless of whether he starts or not, Wilkinson will be a constant presence on the wing for the Tigers this season, and should easily post a breakout 2021-22 campaign.

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