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SEC Basketball questions: POY picks, biggest surprise/disappointments

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 31, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari claps from the sideline during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari claps from the sideline during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /
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SEC Basketball Missouri Tigers Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Coming into the season, SEC Basketball was viewed as one of the top leagues in the country. And to this point, that’s largely stayed the same. There are multiple teams in the top 10, along with several others ranked. What’s interesting is that there’s a ranked team currently that no one has expected, with another unranked one no one expected.

To break down the SEC, Busting Brackets has done a roundtable, with me and two other contributors to the site. Check out what we had to say in answering these questions.

Elijah Campbell – @E_Campbell3

Tristan Freeman – @hoopsnut351

Joey Loose – @jloose128

1. Which team has been the biggest surprise so far?

Campbell

I would say the biggest surprise so far would be the emergence of Missouri as a legitimate threat to finish in the top four of the conference. New head coach Dennis Gates is the clear front-runner for coach of the year in this conference and the job he’s done building this team is remarkable. They’re incredible offensively and have already climbed to number three in the country in offensive efficiency per KenPom.

I loved the group of transfers that he brought in. D’Moi Hodge and Tre Gomillion came with Gates from Cleveland State and have made instant impacts as well as Nick Honor from Clemson and Noah Carter from Northern Iowa. Missouri State transfer, and my number one SEC transfer coming into the season, Isiaih Mosley has only played eight games and has been a non-factor this season but they’re still outperforming all expectations.

This team plays hard, they’re great in transition, they create easy shots, and are automatic from within the perimeter. What you saw against Kentucky is not a fluke, Missouri is ahead of schedule and I expect to see them playing meaningful March basketball.

Freeman

It’s easily the Missouri Tigers. And considering that the big offseason transfer (Isiaih Mosley) has given them nothing this season, that’s been even more impressive. Kobe Brown and the collection of mostly Horizon League transfers are not only ranked but surefire NCAA Tournament contenders.

Loose

The early play of Missouri has certainly been a surprise, especially considering the roster turnover engineered by first-year coach Dennis Gates. The Tigers got off to that hot start before getting plowed by Kansas, but they didn’t just fade away, getting impressive wins over Illinois and Kentucky in recent weeks.

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