Later this week, 14 teams will compete for the opportunity to win the 2023 SEC Tournament championship. However, only the champion will be lucky enough to get an Automatic Qualifier bid for the coveted annual March Madness tournament.
Down the stretch, the SEC has had some phenomenal play. The players below are ones you should look out for as the tournament unravels.
3 players to watch at the 2023 SEC Tournament
1. PG, Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Wade Taylor IV may not be as talented as Alabama’s Brandon Miller, but, he is more important to his team. The entire offense is facilitated through Taylor IV, who, leads his team with 16.3 PPG, 4.1 APG, and almost 2 steals per game. He’s been the leading scorer in 13 of their 31 games.
Taylor IV also happens to be the best free throw shooter in the SEC at nearly 87%.
Taylor IV is the clear leader of this team and if they want to succeed in the Conference Tournament, he will have to perform as he did in A&M’s win against Alabama this past weekend.
2. SF, Brandon Miller, Alabama
Brandon Miller is arguably the best Freshman in College Basketball. He also happens to be the leading scorer in the SEC with 19.6 PPG. Miller will most likely be a Top 5 NBA draft pick this year.
When Miller plays well, so does his team. Miller has led the team in points in 18 of 31 games.
Even though he’s shot 40% percent from three this season, in his last three games, he’s shot 4-24.
That’ll have to change.
If Alabama wants to remain a #1 seed next Sunday, they will have to rely on consistent and strong play from Miller, who shot 7-23 in Alabama’s most recent loss to Texas A&M.
3. PF, Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
Tshiebwe, the former Wooden Award winner, is a sensational player.
The transfer from West Virginia is tied with Purdue’s Zach Edey for most Rebounds Per Game at 13.1.
Tshiebwe is also the fourth leading scorer in the SEC, with 16.4 PPG.
Tshiebwe’s ability to keep possessions alive with offensive boards, and, score in the paint, have been critical to Kentucky’s success all season.
If they want to continue to succeed, they have to keep feeding him in the paint, and, he will have to stay consistent.