Preseason All-SEC First and Second-Team Predictions

It is SEC week here at On3, and we keep the content rolling with the 2023-24 basketball season previews.

SEC Basketball Preseason Power Rankings | Top Ten Impact Freshmen in the SEC | Top Ten Impact Transfers in the SEC

Let’s predict and discuss the first and second-team All-SEC performers.

First Team

G Wade Taylor IV (Texas A&M)

Class: Junior
Height/Weight: 6-0/175
2022-23 Stats: 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals

The Buzz: Wade Taylor returns to Texas A&M after finishing fourth in the conference in scoring and top ten in assists, steals, and free throw percentage. The Aggies return four of their five starters from last year’s 25-win team that finished third in the SEC. The two-way guard is the leader of the bunch. If he can clean up some efficiency things, he could be in for an even bigger season. The team is in place, as are the expectations.

G Antonio Reeves (Kentucky)

Class: GR
Height/Weight: 6-6/195
2022-23 Stats: 14.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 39.8% 3P

The Buzz: There seems to be a lot of cautious expectations for this Kentucky team. The Wildcats brought in a top-ranked recruiting class, as well as their second-leading scoring. Antonio Reeves is the Wildcats’ only returning player who started a game last season. He also led the team in three-point shooting (39.8%) while averaging 14.4 points in 27.9 minutes played. While this Kentucky team has depth along the perimeter, Reeves has the opportunity to be the constant in the lineup. John Calipari always has eyes on him, and for this team to reach its highest potential, Reeves will need to continue shooting it at a high level.

G Riley Kugel (Florida)

Class: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-5/205
2022-23 Stats: 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 37.6% 3P

The Buzz: Riley Kugel’s freshman numbers, as a whole, were not necessarily eye-popping. However, when you look at the final 14 games, after his January 25 start against South Carolina, you see that Kugel averaged 14.6 points while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three. The volume grew, and so did Kugel’s production. The SEC All-Freshman guard is one of two returning players who started a game for Florida last season. Head Coach Todd Golden hit the transfer portal hard to beef up the lineup around Kugel, and returning starter Will Richard. A sophomore jump is expected, for Kugel as well as Golden who is in his second season with the Gators.

F Johni Broome (Auburn)

Class: Junior
Height/Weight: 6-10/240
2022-23 Stats: 14.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.4 blocks, 52.7% FG

The Buzz: Johni Broome is a presence in the paint, on both ends of the floor. While his game might not be the most eye-popping, his production and consistency speaks volumes. The former OVC Defensive Player of the Year has blocked 265 blocks in his three collegiate seasons, good for 2.7 per contest. He showed confidence in stepping out to attempt 31 threes last year as well as being able to score on the block, over his right shoulder. Auburn loses all three of its perimeter starters from last year, but Broome and senior forward Jaylin Williams both return. A continued step forward would not be out of the question.

F Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)

Class: GR
Height/Weight: 6-6/215
2022-23 Stats: 20.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 38.1% 3P (at Northern Colorado)

The Buzz: Dalton Knecht has scored 959 points (14.3 per game) in just two years of Division 1 basketball. Tennessee struggled to find guys who could create offense last season. Especially once Zakai Zeigler went down; Tennessee averaged just 59.3 points in three NCAA Tournament games last season. The good news, Sports Reference says that Tennessee gave up just 57.9 points per game, third in Division 1, and they return five players who started nine or more games from last year’s 25-win team. Knecht has the opportunity to be the central figure of this team on the offensive end, and the expectations are lofty in Knoxville.

Second Team

F Tolu Smith (Mississippi State)

Class: GR
Height/Weight: 6-11/245
2022-23 Stats: 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 57.2% FG

The Buzz: Tolu Smith would be on the first-team if not for a foot injury that could keep him out anywhere from mid-December to mid-January. Even given a shortened season, his impact on the league should be noticeable. He has scored over 1,300 career points and grabbed over 750 career rebounds. He is an efficient scorer who can make plays from in and around the paint area. The Bulldogs averaged just 5.2 made threes per game last season, 346th in Division 1. They added grad transfer Andrew Taylor and freshman Josh Hubbard this offseason, and they should boost the team’s shooting capabilities. That, in turn, should give Smith a little more space to work with, with the ball in his hands.

F Grant Nelson (Alabama)

Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-11/230
2022-23 Stats: 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks, 52.1% FG (at North Dakota State)

The Buzz: Alabama is coming off the best season in school history. The Crimson Tide amassed 31 wins, they won an SEC regular season title, and the SEC Tournament. They also lost four of their five starters, and seven of their top ten scorers from a year ago. Grant Nelson comes to Alabama as a hot commodity in the transfer portal. Nelson’s highlights went viral last year, and after each game, his notoriety grew. Alabama carries high expectations, but the roster has a lot of new faces. Nelson should have every opportunity to be featured in an offense that ranked top ten in Division 1 last season in scoring.

G DJ Wagner (Kentucky)

Class: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6-3/190
2022-23 Stats: NA

The Buzz: It can be difficult to project a freshman’s impact in power conference college basketball. However, with this Kentucky team, there are eight newcomers, so the freshmen will have to step up. DJ Wagner, the son of former John Calipari star guard Dajuan Wagner, is a Five-Star Plus+ guard and third-generation McDonald’s All-American. While he has some questions in his game, as most freshmen do, the thing that stands out with Wagner is his competitive nature. Throughout his career, he has carried an ultimate alpha mentality with him, taking everyone’s best shot and oftentimes coming out on top. The opportunity will be there for Wagner, and this Kentucky team has good complementary pieces.

G Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss)

Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-4/200
2022-23 Stats: 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals

The Buzz: Matthew Murrell is a confident scorer, able to create his own offense and knock down shots. Murrell was one of only two players in double figures for Ole Miss last season, averaging almost five shots more than any other player who played a full slate of games. He will have more talent around him this season, which should help with his efficiency numbers. Murrell has gotten more and more confident each season, and he should still be a focal point of the new offense.

G El Ellis (Arkansas)

Class: GR
Height/Weight: 6-3/180
2022-23 Stats: 17.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals

The Buzz: The representative from Arkansas was somewhat difficult to pinpoint as it could land on any number of players. Looking at the possible outcomes of the season, Khalif Battle, Tramon Mark, and Trevon Brazile could all end up with all-league nods. El Ellis is in line to be the starting point guard, the player with the ball in his hands. Eric Musselman likes to spread the floor and have multiple players who can attack matchups. Ellis is able to go one-on-one, attack downhill, and make plays. His 17.7 points were third in the ACC last year and his 4.4 assists were eighth. Arkansas has made it to three consecutive Sweet Sixteens, and the expectations within the program have not changed.