In a conference filled with talent, it’s inevitable that some players will be overlooked.
That brings us to another one of my SEC basketball preseason awards: the All-Underrated Team.
I created this category after last season in honoring seven players that I thought flew under the radar throughout the year, and I’ll do the same in trying to find players that may not be getting enough attention heading into the 2017-18 season.
Narrowing down this list to seven players was extremely difficult (spoiler: I cheated with one choice), because again, this is as deep talent-wise that the SEC has been in many years.
Let’s get right to my preseason selections for the SEC All-Underrated Team.
Honorable Mention: Admiral Schofield (Tennessee), John Petty (Alabama), Abdul Ado (Mississippi State), Brandon Sampson (LSU), Kassius Robertson (Missouri)
Desean Murray (F, Auburn)
It’s easy to understand why Murray isn’t getting a ton of attention heading into the season.
The Tigers have their top four scorers back from a season ago, and there’s also the return of important rotation players like Bryce Brown and Horace Spencer.
But it is entirely possible that Murray could find himself being a significant factor in Auburn’s march towards its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2003.
The 6-3 Presbyterian transfer averaged 20.2 points per game during the 2015-16 season, but it’s his overall versatility and toughness that should allow Bruce Pearl to find plenty of minutes for him this year.
Derek Ogbeide (F, Georgia)
It may be surprising to see a guy that started 33 of 34 games last season (while playing 23.2 minutes per game) being included on an underrated list.
But that’s exactly what he is.
Ogbeide was a consistent defensive presence for Mark Fox and company last year, and the potential is there for the big man to offer a bigger spark on the offensive side of the court.
Ogbeide only averaged 7.1 points per game, but the combination of shooting 56.7 percent and the need to score more after J.J. Frazier’s exit could allow the 6-8 junior to be a breakout scorer.
As Fox told me on the podcast this summer, Ogbeide has never really needed to be a go-to option on offense.
However, he showed what he was capable of in an 18-point outing at Kentucky during the ’16-17 campaign, and his impressive strength should allow him to find plenty of second chance opportunities.
Kevarrius Hayes (F, Florida)
Hayes is essentially a guaranteed starter for the Gators entering the season, yet it still feels like many aren’t aware of the huge jump that could be ahead.
The junior forward played nearly 30 minutes per game during Florida’s run to the Elite Eight and put up at least seven points and seven rebounds in three of those four games.
Now, with John Egbunu still out until at least January, Hayes will be expected to play similar minutes and offer even more production.
The good news is that he’s already proven that he’s capable of doing both, with his 60.2 percent shooting from the floor being a glaring statistic last season.
Jeff Roberson (F, Vanderbilt)
There are maybe less than five of you that are shocked by this choice.
My respect for Roberson’s game is well-documented, and I have little doubt that he’s set for a memorable final season with the Commodores.
He continues to be one of the most versatile players in the SEC in his ability to legitimately play any position on both ends of the court. If Bryce Drew needs Roberson to bring the ball up the court, he can do that. If Drew needs Roberson to guard a 6-10 center, he can do that. And the list goes on and on.
That’s what we’ve come to expect from the Houston product. He’s not worried about being flashy and never seeks the spotlight. Instead, he just goes out and does the work, and that typically results in him filling the stat sheet in many different categories.
Former Vanderbilt big man Luke Kornet told me last year at SEC Media Day that Roberson had evolved beyond simply being labeled the “glue guy.”
The 7-footer was absolutely right.
Quade Green (G, Kentucky)
I know what you’re thinking: It’s crazy to think that a Top 25 recruit in the 2017 class could be considered “underrated.”
But heading into the season, most of the focus surrounding the Wildcats is on the freshman trio of Hamidou Diallo, Kevin Knox, and P.J. Washington.
However, Green will be a major factor in Kentucky’s success this season, due in large part to his overall skill set as well the position that he plays.
It’s not just because he’s the most recent playmaking point guard in the long line of them that John Calipari has had throughout the years. Instead, it’s mostly because Green has many of the necessary tools to be the prototypical leader on the court for what will be Calipari’s most inexperienced team yet.
Of course, leadership won’t be the only area that Green could excel in. He was an outstanding 3-point shooter in high school, and that skill will be needed on a team that may see a lot of zone defense.
So, while the aforementioned names may be getting the bulk of the attention, it’s Green and fellow freshman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (who posted impressive pro day numbers) that could be the driving force for the Wildcats.
Tonny Trocha-Morelos (C, Texas A&M)
I’ve already went as far as saying that Texas A&M may have the best starting five in the SEC.
However, I’ve been tempted to take that a step further and say that the Aggies have the best top fix in the SEC.
Why? Because of Trocha-Morelos.
Since the big men ahead of him are Robert Williams and Tyler Davis, it makes sense why Trocha-Morelos might be overlooked. The talented senior is 6-10 – just like Williams and Davis – and will have a similar impact on the defensive end of the floor.
What’s also worth considering is that should Williams or Davis get in foul trouble, Trocha-Morelos can come in and allow Texas A&M to not miss a beat.
While he may not pack the same offensive punch, he’s still going to be an importance piece of the puzzle if Billy Kennedy’s squad wants to challenge for the regular season title.
The entire Ole Miss backcourt (G, Ole Miss)
Yes, you read that right: I’m combining the entire Ole Miss backcourt into one selection.
Hey, these are my awards, and I can do what I want.
It’s really hard to pick just one player from this backcourt that lands in the underrated category, so let’s spread the love and take a look at the top five guards on this team.
Deandre Burnett: The Rebels’ top returning scorer (16.5 ppg) that should be better off the dribble.
Terence Davis: His numbers speak for themselves – 27 double-digit scoring games last season and an average of 14.9 points per contest.
Breein Tyree: Perhaps the breakout candidate of the group as Andy Kennedy has given him high praise this offseason.
Markel Crawford: The Memphis transfer adds plenty of scoring (12.8 ppg last year) and experience to an already loaded backcourt.
Devontae Shuler: 4-star recruit that will add a solid defensive presence for the Rebels.
I’ve said continually this offseason that Ole Miss is my sleeper team heading into the season.
This is one of the deepest guard groups in the SEC (and maybe even the entire country), and the only real question mark is their level of commitment on the defensive end of the court.
If that defensive buy-in is consistent throughout the season – and Kennedy finds reliable frontcourt production to replace Sebastian Saiz – this is an NCAA Tournament team.