SEC Basketball: Preseason predictions for 2022-23 season

Player of the Year – Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky

The 2021-22 SEC and National Player of the Year, Tshiebwe returns for his second season with the Wildcats as the clear favorite to go back-to-back in the conference. Tshiebwe is coming off a memorable 2021-22 season in which he averaged 17.4 PPG and 15.2 RPG for the Wildcats, and assuming the senior posts similar numbers this season, he will likely go back-to-back.

Freshman of the Year – Nick Smith, Arkansas

When it comes to the potential 2022-23 SEC Basketball Freshman of the Year, there are two names that stick out to me in Smith and Alabama’s Brandon Miller. It wouldn’t surprise me if either were named the Freshman of the Year at seasons end, but I’ll say for the sake of making a prediction that Smith narrowly edges Miller for the award.

Coach of the Year – John Calipari, Kentucky

There are a few additional names to choose from here such as Musselman, Barnes, Pearl, and Oats, but the pick here goes to Calipari. Plain and simple, if Kentucky wins the SEC regular season title in 2022-23, Calipari is likely the favorite for the Coach of the Year.

Defensive Player of the Year – Johni Broome, Auburn

Auburn had the 2021-22 SEC Defensive Player of the Year a year ago in Walker Kessler, and could very well have this years winner in Broome. An offseason transfer from Morehead State, Broome ranked not far behind Kessler a year ago with an average of 3.9 BPG, while also being named the 2021-22 OVC Defensive Player of the Year.

Sixth-Man of the Year – Cason Wallace, Kentucky

While it is certainly hard to predict the sixth-man spot in particular compared to some of these other awards, why not make a guess? Kentucky could be a team to watch for based on how they use their starting lineup, in particular on the wing, meaning that Wallace could potentially be playing a significant role off the Wildcats bench.