The long wait will soon be over when the first official
NCAA basketball game of the 2012-13 season will tip-off on Nov. 15.
Some of our favorite players have moved on the ranks of professional
athletes, new recruits have been polishing their games in gyms with
recognizable logos on the court, and schools have switched conference
allegiances. Through a series of conference previews, the BDD crew will
do its best to prepare you for the next 4.5 months of collegiate hoops.
Favorite: Kentucky
Wildcats
Coming off a national title, the Wildcats are primed and
ready to make another run in the SEC. Even though Kentucky lost all five of
its starters to the NBA draft, it did bring in the No. 1 recruiting class
in the nation. Head coach John Calipari has shown he can bring a young group
of talented individuals together and turn them into an unselfish team. Young
players like Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress, Archie Goodwin and Willie Cauley
will do their best to replace the likes of Anthony Davis, Michael-Kidd
Gilchrist, Terrance Jones and Marquis Teague. With Calipari at the helm, the
Widcats should run away with the SEC, even with the additions of a strong Missouri team and Texas A&M to the conference.
Dark Horse: Florida
Gators
Despite losing stud shooting guard Bradley Beal to the NBA, the
Florida Gators are returning a solid nucleus. The Gators are bringing back
three of their top five scorers this year, all of whom averaged double digits.
The team’s leading scorer, Kenny Boynton, is returning to the team as a senior,
so leadership should not be an issue. Add in a solid recruiting class, and the
Gators are poised to take a run at the Kentucky Wildcats for the top spot in
the conference.
POY: Kenny Boynton,
Florida
Boynton averaged 16 points per game last season as a junior
to lead the Gators — including Beal — in scoring. In each of
his first three seasons, Boynton has seen his statistics get progressively
better across the board. His 3-point shot is lethal, as he drained 40
percent from downtown in 2011-12. If his track record is to be believed,
Boynton should take another step forward this season, which should put him at
the head of the player of the year race in the SEC.
Coach of the Year:
John Calipari, Kentucky
Coach Cal has shown he has the ability to reload his team
with talent, ready to win despite the number of players he sends to the NBA
each season. Calipari will again have the best recruiting class in the NCAA
coming to Kentucky, and will have yet another opportunity to push for a title.
If he can even come close to replicating his success from last season, Calipari
will be a shoe in for coach of the year.
Newcomer of the Year:
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky
At 6'10", Noel is a long, lean forward,
with the ability to throw back a lot of shots. Wildcat fans will take little
time in beginning the comparisons to former Kentucky big man Anthony Davis. Noel
has some polish to apply to his game, but his raw talent is undeniable. If he
reaches his potential, the Wildcats will have yet another one-and-done on their
hands.
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