The SEC returned to prominence in 2009-10 on the back of John Calipari and his amazing ability to recruit extremely talented freshmen. All of those freshmen have moved on, but Calipari did not sit idly by and has another impressive haul coming in. While the 2010-11 'Cats may not feature two of the top six players chosen in the next year's NBA draft, they will again be the favorite in conference. For the fantasy player, the rest of the cupboard is not bare and the conference should be more competitive than it was last year. Here's my best guess at the top ten for the coming season:
1. Howard Thompkins, F, Georgia Bulldogs
In his first year under new coach Mark Fox, Thompkins flourished. He was a highly touted recruit in 2008-09, but he provided 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Bulldogs in his sophomore season. He took less three-pointers as a sophomore and his improvement on the interior resulted in a fine 48.3% field goal percentage. Thompkins was slated to play to the USA Select team this summer, but withdrew because of a minor foot ailment. He will need the extra rest because he'll be shouldering a huge responsibility as the conference's returning star player.
2. Chris Warren, G, Mississippi Bulldogs
Ole Miss entered last season with great depth in the backcourt, despite the fact that Warren and Eniel Polynice were returning from torn ACL's. Polynice (now at Seton Hall) and Terrico White are now gone, so the show will be Warren's, just as it was when he was a freshman. In his return from injury, White provided 17.2 points, 3.6 assists, and shot better than 40% for the first time in his career. He was dangerous from long range and made 40.4% of his three-pointers (3.2 3pg). The 5-foot-10 lead guard should team with Murphy Holloway to give the Bulldogs a decent shot in the SEC East.
3. Brandon Knight*, G, Kentucky Wildcats
The lead guards for John Calipari's offense have been top players in the NBA draft for the last three years running. It remains to be seen whether Knight can follow in the footsteps of Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, and John Wall. Based on Calipari's recent success, I am not going to be the one to doubt Knight (even if he does have the same name as the guy who played at Pitt a few years ago). The 6-foot-3 guard will be an impact scorer as a freshman and will likely facilitate the offense to some degree. Like last year's Wildcats, the fabulous freshmen will have to coalesce quickly. I think they will.
4. Jeffery Taylor, G/F, Vanderbilt Commodores
The smooth Swede did not progress as much as some people (like me) had predicted in his sophomore season, but he may take a big step toward stardom as a junior. The 6-foot-7 junior provided 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds with overall numbers that were eerily similar to his freshman season. Taylor faded badly down the stretch and only scored in double-figures in one of his last five games. He had just nine points in the 'Dores upset loss to Murray State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. If Festus Ezeli takes a step forward and John Jenkins continues his sweet shooting, Taylor could get some easier looks.
5. Travis Leslie, G, Georgia Bulldogs
Leslie was the breakout player for the Bulldogs. After being a reserve as a freshman, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard made his presence known by averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds. Like Thompkins, Leslie did most of his damage from within the arc and took just 11 three-pointers (making six). The junior finished his second season by punishing Vanderbilt with a season-high 34 points in the SEC tournament, but the Bulldogs were vanquished. Leslie has NBA-type athleticism and should form the best 1-2 punch in the conference with Thompkins.
6. Enes Kanter*, C, Kentucky Wildcats
For someone who spent his childhood laughing at Enos Cabell's name, I think it has been far too long since we had an Ene/os in the sports scene. Based on his t-shirts, it appears that the 6-foot-10 Turk is embracing his name and its easy rhymes. While there is little doubt that he can play, there are some issues with his eligibility because he played with a Turkish pro team when he was 16. John Calipari's guess is that his big man will be cleared and Kanter should start from the opening tip. He'll be hard pressed to duplicate DeMarcus Cousins' production, but he might come close.
7. Storm Warren, F, LSU Tigers
The Tigers suffered through an abysmal season that saw them win just two conference games and three games after the calendar flipped to 2010. While coach Trent Johnson brought in an impressive recruiting class, he has little returning talent. Warren, a 6-foot-7 junior showed well in the early portion of his sophomore season. He provided double-doubles in seven of his first nine games, but disappeared in SEC play (much like his team). Now an upperclassman, Warren will need to lead the young team out of the conference basement.
8. Kenny Boynton, Jr., G, Florida Gators
It would be unfair to call Boynton's freshman season a disappointment. He came to Florida with a lot of hype and provided 14.0 points per game. His shooting, however, left a lot to be desired. He made just 37.6% of his shots and 29.4% of his threes. The 6-foot-2 combo guard also ceded most of the playmaking to teammate Erving Walker (who also shot a woeful 33.9% from the field). The Gators have their entire starting five back and have added primo recruit Patric Young, a 6-foot-9 shot blocker who should serve as a backup. If Boynton can improve his shooting, he should have open looks and could be an impact sophomore.
9. Scotty Hopson, G, Tennessee Volunteers
As I've mentioned before, pure scorers who don't bring much else to the table are not my favorite type of fantasy players. Hopson, however, looks to be the go-to man for the Vols in his junior season. The 6-foot-7 wing provided 12.2 points in his second year. He played just 27.7 minutes, so there is room for a volume improvement if he can get his minutes into the thirties. Hopson limits his scoring potential a bit by only converting 58.8% of his free throws but he could be good for 16 or 17 points per game this year.
10. Sam Muldrow, F, South Carolina Gamecocks
I like to throw at least one defensive specialist into most lists. The Gamecocks will be a team in transition now that Devan Downey has used up his eligibility. Downey was the heart and soul of South Carolina, but his departure means there is an opportunity for someone like Muldrow to step up. The 6-foot-9 senior swatted away 3.1 shots per game and nearly doubled his scoring average to 10.4 points. He was able to be a defensive presence and stay out of foul trouble for the most part. South Carolina has some interesting recruits like G Bruce Ellington, but it will up to Muldrow to lead the team.
Also considered: Terrence Jones*, F, Kentucky Wildcats; Erving Walker, G, Florida Gators; Tobias Harris*, F, Tennessee Volunteers; John Jenkins, G, Vanderbilt Commodores; Marshawn Powell, F, Arkansas Razorbacks; Patric Young*, F, Florida Gators