Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Dead Guy's All-SEC Freshman Team

While the SEC was not as strong - as a whole - this year as it has been in years past, you'd be hard pressed to find another league in the country with as many dynamic freshmen as the SEC. Here's a look at the top 5 and my pick for SEC Freshman of the Year. Also here's a nifty stat-by-stat comparison from StatSheet.com.

Chris Warren, G, Ole Miss
KEY STATS:

15.7 PPG
4.59 APG
85 Made 3s

A starter from Day 1, Warren ranks 12th in the conference in scoring, 5th in assists, and 10th in A/TO ratio. Only one freshmen in the country has made more 3s. He was a key player in the Rebels' surprising 13-0 start and 20 win season. He's also the only freshman in the top 10 in the league in 3Pt% and total 3s made.

Nick Calathes, G, Florida
Key Stats:

15.9 PPG
6.1 APG
5.1 RPG

Gator coach Billy Donovan knew he was going to need contributions from his freshmen this year after replacing his top 6 players from last year. Calathes remained steady throught the Gators' up and down season and led the league in assists and ranked 3rd in A/TO ratio, 10th in steals, and 11th in scoring.

Anthony Randolph, F, LSU
Key Stats:

15.4 PPG
8.4 RPG
2.4 BPG

While firing a coach as early in the season as LSU is sometimes a recipe for disaster, firing John Brady couldn't come soon enough. Randolph has exploded under new coach Butch Pierre and currently ranks 3rd in the SEC in both rebounds and blocks, 11th in FG%, and 15th in PPG. He also shoots FTs very well for a big man - 70%.

Patrick Patterson, F, Kentucky
Key Stats:

16.4 PPG
7.7 RPG
1.2 BPG

Had PatPat not gone down last week with a season-ending injury, I think he was a lock for SEC Freshmen of the Year. Even when UK struggled at the beginning of the year, Patterson put up big numbers. He currently ranks 8th in PPG, 6th in RPG, and 11th in BPG. He could become the next in a long line of great Kentucky forwards.

A.J. Ogilvy, F, Vandy (Dead Guy's SEC FOY)
Key Stats:

16.7 PPG
6.7 RPG
1.4 BPG

What a 1-2 punch he and SEC POY-lock Shan Foster formed. The big man from Australia currently ranks 7th in PPG and BPG, 10th in RPG, and 4th in FG%, shooting 58.8% from the floor. His presence - both offensively and defensively - helped lead the Commodores to their current top 15 ranking.

No comments: