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SEC basketball 2020-2021: 5 bold predictions – Can Kentucky reclaim their crown?

By Cody Williams

Jan 29, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators (Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports/Syndication: Knoxville) /

SEC basketball predictions for how the 2020-2021 season plays out in the conference as they should enjoy a bounce-back season overall following a down year.

Because the NCAA Tournament was canceled last season, we didn’t totally get to see on a national scale what a down year it was for SEC basketball. However, the best evidence of that is to simply look at the Kentucky Wildcats, a team that went 15-3 in the conference. Despite their SEC success, they were unlikely to get higher than a No. 3 seed in the tourney had it taken place.

Given that and the fact that only four or five schools in the conference would’ve made the field of 68 teams, it may have been better that they weren’t slightly embarrassed on Selection Sunday. Even better, it should be a bounce-back year for SEC basketball as a strong recruiting cycle for the conference should allow for a minimum of six teams to get into the tournament, if not more, in the 2020-2021 season.

However, that doesn’t answer every question about how the conference will shake out this year, which is what we’re trying to do. Subsequently, let’s make some SEC basketball predictions from awards to order of finish to a breakout star. We start with the Player of the Year.

SEC basketball Player of the Year: Keyontae Johnson, F, Florida (Junior)

With the strength of the recruiting classes in the SEC, it stands to reason that some of the 5-star freshmen in the conference will make a stong impact this season. But when it comes to the Player of the Year, you want to look for a player who not only fills up the box score but has proven that he can do so consistently at that level.

That’s why we’re giving the preseason nod to Florida junior forward Keyontae Johnson. While undersized at 6-foot-5, the veteran presence of the Gators established himself as a breakout star a season ago and, as he returns for another season in Gainesville, he’s set to be an absolute two-way star that dominates the conference.

Johnson flirted with the NBA Draft earlier this year but ultimately decided to come back for his junior season. Head coach Mike White saw tremendous development from Johnson in the 2019-2020 season as Johnson put up 14.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore, emerging as the Gators’ best two-way player on the roster.

In truth, there are questions about how good the Florida roster is from top to bottom. But Johnson’s presence is enough for them to be considered a near-lock to make the NCAA Tournament and to compete in the top quarter of the conference this season. If that transpires, he’ll be a shoo-in for Player of the Year.