Returning national player Oscar Tshiebwe is a big reason UK is ranked No. 3 in the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook but five other SEC teams are in the top 25. (Vicky Graff Photo)
If Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook publisher Chris Dortch is right, Southeastern Conference basketball is going to be really, really good this year.
Not only does Dortch have Kentucky No. 3 in his publication’s preseason rankings, but he also has Arkansas (6), Tennessee (10), Alabama (13), Auburn (15) and Texas A&M (21) in his top 25.
“That has nothing to do with the SEC buying the back cover ad in the book, either. They have done that for the last four years,” joked Dortch. “This league is strong top to bottom. South Carolina might struggle but they also have a high-profile five-star (Greg “GG” Jackson) who had committed to North Carolina originally. He will be a one-and-done guy.”
“Coaches around the league love the stuff that (Vanderbilt) coach (Jerry) Stackhouse runs. They might not have great talent but they are not an easy out for any team. (Coach) Matt McMahon had scorched earth when he got to LSU. He had one walk-on player left. But he got a freshman class ranked in the top 20, took a bunch of transfers, including three who played for him at Murray. LSU will be dangerous.”
No SEC team likely will be more dangerous to Kentucky’s SEC title chances than Arkansas and coach Eric Musselman. The Razorbacks have made the Elite Eight the last two years but lost its five primary starters and returned only two scholarship players.
Musselman signed six freshmen, including three McDonald’s All-Americans. Guard Nick Smith is already projected as a top five pick in the 2023 NBA draft and is Blue Ribbon’s SEC Newcomer of the year.
“It’s hard to rank a team with zero returning starters in the top six in the county but they had a crazy recruiting class,” Dortch said. “Nobody works the transfer portal better than Arkansas. They signed a lot of size, including Trevon Gracile of Missouri. They also added Ricky Council of Wichita State.”
“He just has a way of getting his guys to really put out and they just are not afraid of anybody. They just do not quit.”
Dortch has North Carolina, which lost to Kansas in the national title game, No. 1 in his preseason poll followed by Gonzaga, Kentucky, Houston and Duke. The Tar Heels return Armando Bacot, a likely challenger for national player of the year honors, along with dynamic guard Caleb Love. The addition of 6-11 Northwestern transfer Pete Nance elevated North Carolina over Gonzaga to No. 1.
“Nance can pass, handle the ball, shoot well and protect the rim,” Dortch said. “He was just what they needed.”
Still, Dortch debated putting Kentucky No. 1.
“It’s one of the most veteran teams Cal has ever had. There will never be a Cal team without five-star freshmen and he has some great ones again,” Dortch said. “He’s got Sahvir Wheeler. If he cuts down on turnovers, he’s a really solid point guard. There is a defensive size liability but you have got to catch him on the other end.”
“Then there is Oscar (Tshiebwe). Who could have foreseen the year he had? I knew he would be a good player but nobody could have predicted that year he had. I don’t know if he can do that again but I expect him to play really well again.”
Dortch is looking for a breakout year from 6-9 senior Jacob Toppin who no longer will be in the shadow of anyone else.
“He’s a guy who could make it to the league (NBA). He’s 6-9, mobile, protects the rim,” Dortch said. “Then you have (transfer) Antonio Reeves who has really impressed me. Everybody thinks he is a jump shooter but he can put the ball on the floor and is also a good passer.”
“That’s why you could easily make a case for Kentucky being No. 1 but even being that good does not mean winning the SEC this year will be easy.”
