Fansided

SEC Basketball 2016: Preview and predictions

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Sep 15, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De Aaron Fox (0) guard Malik Monk (5) and guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) during Kentucky media day at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De Aaron Fox (0) guard Malik Monk (5) and guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) during Kentucky media day at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin talks to South Gamecocks guard PJ Dozier (15) during the second half of game nine of the SEC tournament against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Georgia won 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin talks to South Gamecocks guard PJ Dozier (15) during the second half of game nine of the SEC tournament against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Georgia won 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Dark Horse – South Carolina

In 2012, Frank Martin left his successful stint at Kansas State for South Carolina, a school hardly known for its basketball. They had been overshadowed by then-football coach Steve Spurrier for years, but over the past four seasons, Martin has turned the Gamecocks into a respectable basketball program.

Coming off a 25-8 season, by far Martin’s best in Columbia, they will look to be one of the top teams in the SEC. This is despite losing top scorer Michael Carrera and fourth-leading scorer Laimonas Chatkevicius. They will have Sindarius Thornwell and Duane Notice returning, both of whom are senior guards. Experience will be brought to the table, more than most of Kentucky’s team, plus an increased scoring load for the two.

Four-star recruit Sedee Kaita and three-star player Khadim Gueye will be the newcomers to watch for. Gueye may not be an impact player this year, but Kaita has the ability to protect the rim and battle with defenders in the post. He could be the answer for the Gamecocks at power forward and a reason why they’re competitive.

Will South Carolina top Kentucky? Probably not. They don’t have the talent that the Wildcats do, especially when comparing the incoming freshmen classes. However, if John Calipari can’t get his new team to mesh, then Frank Martin’s squad has a chance of stealing the SEC.