Sleepers in the fantasy world mean different things to different people. Some writers like to use the phrase player "that you've never heard of." I assume if you are here, reading about college basketball, you've probably at least heard of every player I mention. I won't insult your intelligence by pronouncing Tier 2-4 players as players that you've never heard of. There are only 12 teams in the SEC, so you probably have a passing familiarity of the following handful of players (especially the first couple). To me, sleepers are players who may produce at a higher rate at where they are likely to be drafted. These players are potential bargains. Let's take a look:
Patric Young, forward, Florida Gators
The 6-foot-9 sophomore is the least sleepy (most awake?) of my picks. The Gator frontcourt has gone from a strength to a yawning chasm with the departure of three starters. While Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton Jr., and Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario will dominate the ball on the perimeter, they may look inside from time to time. Young will be there. The 245 pound McDonald's All-American saw limited playing time as a freshman (17.7 minutes) but contributed 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds. He received some international experience with the U19 FIBA World Championship team this summer and provided 9.7 points on 72% shooting from the field with 6.8 rebounds. If the Gators are to be successful in 2011-12, Young is going to have to take a Patric Young-sized step forward.
Bruce Ellington, guard, South Carolina Gamecocks
The big news about Ellington over the summer is that he is going to join the Gamecock football team this fall. He was a stud option quarterback in high school, so he can probably help the ole ball coach. When Ellington is done on the gridiron, he will make his way back to the hardwood. Coach Darrin Horn seems to like volume shooters who dribble a lot. Ellington fit that scheme perfectly as a freshman. He led the team in scoring at 12.8 points, but hit an abysmal 32.6% of his shots. His inefficiency wasn't personally embarrassing as he continued to hoist shots throughout the season. The 5-foot-9 scatback did have a nice run in January, including a career-high 22-point performance (with six threes) in an upset win over Vanderbilt. He may not play until football ends, but he should be a scorer when he returns.
Arnett Moultrie, forward, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs just finished a perfect five-game swing across Europe and Moultrie, a transfer from UTEP, was the star. The 6-foot-11 junior had four double-doubles in his first action for coach Rick Stansbury and averaged 16.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in the five games. Granted, Renardo Sidney did not play because he chose to stay in Houston to work with John Lucas (and try to trim some of that jiggly stomach). Meanwhile, Moultrie was going to work. He averaged 8.8 rebounds as a freshman (and 6.7 as a sophomore), so he has experience grabbing boards. He'll make for a nice mid-round pick in many drafts.
Lance Goulbourne, forward, Vanderbilt Commodores
The Commodores placed three players in my SEC top ten, but they need a player to do the dirty work. Enter Goulbourne, a 6-foot-8 senior who led the team in rebounding last year with 7.3 boards. With John Jenkins, Jeffery Taylor, and Festus Ezeli on board, Goulbourne will be hard pressed to top the 6.8 points he provided last year, but he should have some open shots. He only topped ten points six times last season, and the two-sport star (he also plays tennis) will not be a pick that will bring oohs and aahs. He will be a steady rebounding presence, and that may be enough to help some teams.
Noel Johnson, forward, Auburn Tigers
Now, we are getting into the deep sleeper portion of the article. Johnson has been effective in a limited capacity in his collegiate career, but he has received a lot of press. He was one of the many recruits that escaped USC when Tim Floyd left and found himself on Clemson's bench. After a year of sitting because of the transfer rules, Johnson could be a main cog on the Auburn offense. The 6-foot-6 forward should get minutes in coach Tony Barbee's scheme. With Earnest Ross heading to Missouri, Johnson should get an opportunity to play.
Quinton Chievous, freshman guard, Tennessee Volunteers
Freshman can be fantasy fool's gold, but one has to pay attention to them in leagues that require first year players (like mine). Yet, looking at the roster that coach Cuonzo Martin inherited doesn't provide many clues on who will produce in 2011-12. The leading returning scorer is Cameron Tatum at 9.5 points. Someone is going to have to score and maybe it will be Chievous, who has good college basketball genes. His father was the band aid-wearing scoring sensation at Missouri a generation ago. The 6-foot-5 incoming freshman averaged 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds for Notre Dame Prep in Niles, IL last year. Maybe he can be a super sleeper in your league.
Rodney Hood, freshman guard, Mississippi State Bulldogs
As noted above, the Bulldogs enter the season with quite a bit of talent. Moultrie, Sidney, and Dee Bost should form a potent trio, but let's be honest: what are the odds that Sidney either gets hurt or suspended? Pretty good, so it might be worthwhile to take a flyer on this 6-foot-8 freshman. He can score in a variety of ways and did just that on the Bulldogs' trip to Europe with three games in double figures. You may need to patient with Hood (or just let him lay low on waivers) before he gets a good opportunity, but he may be a good guy to take in keepers leagues.
Johnny O'Bryant, freshman forward, LSU Tigers
Last month, O'Bryant, a 6-foot-9 low post player, hinted that he'd like to be a one-and-done player. While he was a McDonald's All-American, he will have to produce some eye-popping numbers to get on the NBA draft radar. He should get minutes with LSU who has been the worst team in the SEC for the last two years. At 260 pounds, he should be able to move opponents around near the basket. He was also a defensive presence in high school with 4.1 blocks to go along with 17.3 points and 13.2 rebounds as a senior in Cleveland, MS. The SEC is stocked with freshman talent, but O'Bryant could be one of the best (even if he doesn't want to be involved in dynasty leagues).
Ky Madden, freshman guard, Arkansas Razorbacks
As I noted in the top ten article, the SEC is top heavy. The top four teams have plenty of established talent. The problem for the fantasy prognosticator (me) is that teams in the bottom half of the conference are mired in muck. Who is going to produce for Arkansas? With coach Mike Anderson on board, they will use a lot of players so their incoming freshman class will get some run. Madden, a 6-foot-5 combo guard may back up and may play with Julysses Nobles. Either way, he will see playing time and provide an interesting array of stats for teams lucky enough to snap him up in the late rounds.