Now at the midway point of the 2022-23 SEC basketball season, why not make a few predictions as to who will win each of the conference’s individual awards later this year?
Midseason award predictions for 2022-23 SEC basketball season
SEC Player of the Year – Brandon Miller, Alabama
Beginning with the Player of the Year, it’s hard to pick against Alabama freshman Brandon Miller at the moment, with the forward likely the favorite going forward, especially if the Crimson Tide end up winning the SEC. Across 18 games, Miller leads the SEC in scoring at 20.1 PPG, as well as in three-point shooting at 46.2%, while also averaging 8.3 RPG, which ranks No. 3 in the conference.
SEC Freshman of the Year – Brandon Miller, Alabama
As for the Freshman of the Year, it’s likely that Miller takes home that honor as well this season. If you were to look for a few others to watch for, South Carolina’s GG Jackson is a name that comes to mind, as is Arkansas’ Anthony Black.
SEC Coach of the Year – Nate Oats, Alabama
Similar to Miller previously with the Player of the Year, if Alabama ends up winning the SEC, then Oats is likely set to win Coach of the Year as well. Should Oats take home those honors, it would be his second SEC Coach of the Year honor in the last three years, as he previously won it during the 2020-21 season.
SEC Defensive Player of the Year – Colin Castleton, Florida
The Defensive Player of the Year might be one of the most difficult to predict, as there are multiple names that you could make an argument are in the mix. If you had to make the case for one name in particular however, what about Castleton, who currently ranks fourth in the SEC with 7.8 RPG, as well as leading the conference with 3.1 BPG (No. 3 nationally)?
SEC Sixth Man of the Year – Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Concluding here with the Sixth Man of the Year, you could make the argument that Zeigler is the clear favorite at this point in the season. Zeigler is currently averaging 10.6 PPG and 3.2 RPG for the Volunteers, while also ranking No. 2 in the SEC with 4.5 APG, as well as No. 4 with 2.2 SPG.