4. Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee Volunteers
2022-23 season stats: 12.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg
On a team that sometimes struggled for offense, Vescovi not only led the team in scoring but was easily the most consistent player. He shot 37% from three-point range on over seven attempts and had three games of at least 20 points. One included a 21-point effort against Auburn in SEC play, along with being three assists shy of a triple-double against Texas A&M.
Tennessee will be hoping for another year from Vescovi. Starting point guard Zakai Zeigler suffered a knee injury and may not be 100% by the start of 2023-24. And Olivier Nkamhoua, the player with the highest offensive ceiling, has entered the transfer portal. Unless former five-star recruit Julian Phillips has a breakout campaign, offense could be once again hard to come by for the Vols.
3. Boo Buie – Northwestern Wildcats
2022-23 season stats: 17.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.5 apg
There were just two double-digit scorers for the Wildcats and both of them have extra years to consider. One is Chase Audige who is very important as well but Buie is the MVP that the team is waiting on. The 6’2 guard was in double figures in 31 of 34 games and had a career-high 35 points on the road at Illinois.
Northwestern rarely ever makes the NCAA Tournament and if they lose both Buie and Audige, will go back toward the bottom of the Big Ten. Yet a double-return, led by the all-conference scoring guard, would have them right in position to compete for another postseason bid.