Kentucky Basketball: SEC Preseason Honors Out, Wildcats Well-Represented

Today, the SEC came out with pre-season basketball honors. Here they are, courtesy of CoachCal.com:

First Team

• Trevor Releford – Alabama, G, 6-0, 190, Sr., Kansas City, Mo.
• Julius Randle – Kentucky, F, 6-9, 250, Fr., Dallas, Texas
• Johnny O’Bryant III – LSU, F , 6-9 , 256 , Jr. , Cleveland, Miss.
• Marshall Henderson – Ole Miss, G, 6-2, 177, Sr., Hurst, Texas
• Jordan McRae – Tennessee, G, 6-6, 185, Sr., Midway, Ga.

Second Team

• Scottie Wilbekin – Florida, G, 6-2, 176, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.
• Patric Young – Florida, C, 6-9, 240, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
• Willie Cauley-Stein – Kentucky, F, 7-0, 244, So., Olathe, Kan.
• Andrew Harrison – Kentucky, G, 6-6, 215, Fr., Richmond, Texas
• Dakari Johnson – Kentucky, C, 7-0, 265, Fr., Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Jabari Brown – Missouri, G, 6-5, 214, Jr., Oakland, Calif.
• Jeronne Maymon – Tennessee, F, 6-8, 260, Sr., Madison, Wis.
• Jarnell Stokes – Tennessee, F, 6-8, 260, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.

SEC POY

SEC Player of the Year: Julius Randle, Kentucky

Preseason Poll

Observations

Four Three of Kentucky's six freshman high-school All-Americans made it into the poll, and based on what most people know right now, I think that's more than fair. I might quibble with Dakari Johnson's selection over James Young, but I think his position had more to do with that than his actual impact.

I'm not quite sure I would have picked Johnny O'Bryant over Jarnell Stokes. Stokes was 4th in the nation last year in offensive rebounding%, 96th in defensive rebounding%, and shot over 50% from the field. O'Bryant wasn't as good in any of those categories. I think I'm going to have to say I'd rather have Stokes on my team than O'Bryant.

I doubt Jabari Brown will be a better choice than Aaron Harrison. I doubt it very much. But I suppose that's more likely politics than anything else.

Regarding the poll, I'm glad to see Tennessee third, but looking at it, do oiu see more than 3 NCAA teams in there? I really don't. I don't believe LSU THIS season, although they do bring in some good size this season with Darcy Malone, Jarell Martin (a 5* stud PF) and John Odo. Maybe they will break out this season? Sounds like a good debate for the comments.

Who's your sleeper? Mine is Arkansas. They lost a lot, but they bring in a 5* Bobby Portis, a skilled big man. With him, and the bigger and more experienced group they have coming back, I think they have a chance to do some damage.