Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington want to show they are best backcourt in the nation

Sahvir Wheeler is a second team all-SEC pick again this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)

TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler were both appreciative of being named to the all-Southeastern Conference second team in voting by SEC coaches. It was the second straight year for Wheeler, a Georgia transfer, to make the second team and he also led the conference in assists for the second straight season. His 6.93 assists per game average is second only to Tyler Ulis (7.03) at UK. He has also scored in double figures in 14 straight games.

Washington, a freshman, is averaging 12. 2 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game despite battling injuries during conference play. He’s shooting 46.3 percent from the field going into SEC Tournament play. He’s had four 20-point games this season and his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.53 is the best in the SEC.

Those numbers are why both players believe they actually are better than second-team picks and hope to prove it this week in Tampa during the SEC Tournament and then in NCAA Tournament play.

“We’re just going to go out and finish the rest of the season and show everybody when we feel like we’re the best backcourt in the nation,” said Washington Tuesday.

Wheeler said any basketball player or competitor would want to be a first-team selection. But he also knows other SEC players who didn’t make the awards list who felt like they should have also.

“It’s a blessing to be recognized by all the coaches as someone who should be all-SEC,” Wheeler said. “I am humbled and blessed. TyTy and I missed some games. Maybe if we played them all that would have put us over the top (and on the first team). But this is the best league in the country by far and to be recognized as one of the top players is great.”

Wheeler said UK wants to win the SEC  Tournament but the priority is to make sure the Cats are ready for NCAA play. However, he’s looking forward to the Big Blue atmosphere in Tampa.

“To be completely honest I remember the SEC Tournament my freshman year (in Nashville in 2020) and you saw Kentucky fans everywhere in blue. Kentucky did not even get to play because it was canceled (by COVID),” Wheeler said. “I am hoping and pretty sure Kentucky fans will travel to make it less like a neutral game feel.”

Washington understands the lose and go home mentality of tourney play

“We want to stay out in Tampa as long as we can,” the freshman guard said. “The goal is just to stay together, stay connected, buy into what the coaches are saying and ultimately just get wins.”

The best news for Kentucky is that both players insist they are healthy. Wheeler has had a wrist injury while Washington has dealt with an ankle issue.

Wheeler had a brace on his right wrist during Tuesday’s media session but said it was precautionary and no big deal.

“It’s just to make sure everything is cool. It’s not like I am in any pain or having any restrictions. I have been wearing this. It’s nothing new,” Wheeler said.

Washington also said he was fine and had been “doing a lot of treatments” the last few days on his ankle.

“I am focused on taking care of my body,” he said. “We are going to play a lot of games without even having time to practice (in the postseason). It’s important for us to keep our bodies ready.”