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SEC Basketball: 2022 SEC Tournament preview, predictions, what to watch for

By Matt Melton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 14: Alabama Crimson Tide hoist the SEC Championship trophy after the championship game against the LSU Tigers in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama defeats LSU 80-79. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 14: Alabama Crimson Tide hoist the SEC Championship trophy after the championship game against the LSU Tigers in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama defeats LSU 80-79. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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2022 SEC Tournament
Kentucky Wildcats center Oscar Tshiebwe (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2022 SEC Tournament Players to Watch

While there are obviously numerous players from all 14 teams that you could include on this page, there are four-to-five top names to watch for in particular however that will likely provide the biggest overall impact during the 2022 SEC Tournament.

Oscar Tshiebwe – Kentucky Wildcats

The 2021-22 SEC Player of the Year, as well as a National Player of the Year candidate, Tshiebwe has enjoyed a phenomenal first season in Lexington, averaging 17.3 PPG and 15.3 RPG (leads nation) on 60.6% shooting as one of the most-dominant frontcourt players in the country. Having already compiled 25 double-doubles this season, as well as 13-straight entering the week, expect the West Virginia transfer to continue adding to that list this week in Tampa.

Walker Kessler – Auburn Tigers

Speaking of awards, Kessler is the 2021-22 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a National Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Leading the nation with 4.5 BPG, the North Carolina transfer is also averaging 11.5 PPG on 62.1% shooting, as well as grabbing 8.2 RPG.

Jabari Smith – Auburn Tigers

Alongside Kessler in the Tigers frontcourt is Smith, the 2021-22 SEC Freshman of the Year, and a lock to go within the Top 5 picks in the 2022 NBA Draft, potentially even No. 1 overall. One of the SEC’s top scorers at 17.1 PPG, Smith is shooting an impressive 43.6% from three-point range this season, as well as grabbing 6.9 RPG.

JD Notae – Arkansas Razorbacks

Also one of the top scorers in the SEC, Notae comes into the 2022 SEC Tournament averaging 18.9 PPG, as well as 4.4 RPG and 3.6 APG for the year. In addition to those numbers, Notae also ranks among the conference’s leaders in steals at 2.2 per game.

Scotty Pippen Jr – Vanderbilt Commodores

When talking about talented scorers in this year’s SEC Tournament however, the list begins with Pippen. Leading the SEC at 20.5 PPG, there are few players within the conference that have a bigger impact on the court than Pippen, who also averages 3.6 RPG, 4.1 APG, and 2 SPG.

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