2008-09 SEC Boardmaster Award

Quickly moving on to rebounding, one of the most important categories on the list.

 

This stat will point out the most efficient glass cleaners in the league, those who aggressively and accurately are able to grab their share of rebounds on a consistent basis.

These rankings are filled with almost exclusively big men, as height and good hands tends to help.

Now, for the standard explanation of this whole process—you can skip this if you’ve read it before…

These awards are meant to effectively and accurately pick the best (and worst) performers in each category. Thus, a line was drawn roughly around the area of 15 games played and/or 40 minutes—one full game—played as a minimum. This was done to limit the effect of outliers bringing to our attention surprising walk-ons that could be, according to the stats, future superstars.

Obviously, these awards are not all-encompassing. Players that transferred or any other players that didn’t play for any reason last season are not included.

Be sure to understand that each of these categories, alone, is misleading. For example, if a player wins "Least Minutes/Assist" but also finishes last in "Least Minutes/Turnover," is not as impressive. Combining these rankings and statistics will give a more clear and well-rounded picture, but these rankings are fun nonetheless.  

 

The winner is…

BRIAN WILLIAMS—Tennessee, Junior—2.96—Last Year: 3.22

Williams is one of the more underrated players in the league, and certainly the most underrated rebounder. Get this number: Assuming Williams’ numbers would increase proportionally and if he were to play 40 minutes per game, he’d average 13.7 rebounds per game.

Oh, and he shoots over 50 percent from the floor and is a solid post defender as well. Williams will never be a star, but is probably the single best role player in the league.

The others…

 

2. Michael Washington - Arkansas, Senior—3.06—Last Year: 3.39

Washington was one of the biggest surprises of the SEC last year, and likely would have challenged for SEC Player of the Year had Arkansas not tanked. He nearly has no weakness other than ball-handling, and is an absolutely dominating offensive presence in the paint.

 

3. Korvotney Barber - Auburn, Graduated – 3.09 - Last Year: 3.85

Barber was one of many players in the league last year who had to nearly carry his team on his back, and he did so in impressive fashion.

He had, at times in his collegiate career, led the nation in shooting percentage but suffered from the same drawbacks as most big men: poor free throw shooting and ball-handling.

 

4. Jarvis Varnado—Mississippi State, Senior—3.19—Last Year: 3.67

Varnado is often billed as a one-trick pony, but he is anything but. Varnado, with his extreme length and huge hands, is a phenomenal rebounder, efficient scorer, and will break the all-time NCAA record for blocks, assuming he avoids injury.

This guy changes the game in many, many ways and is one of the best on the glass.

 

5. Wayne Chism—Tennessee, Senior—3.20—Last Year: 3.97

Chism is my vote for more underrated player in the SEC, as his efficiency numbers are absolutely through the roof for a big man. He handles the ball very well, has a very effective jump shot, is solid from the charity stripe, and is even a great defender.

There’s not much this guy can’t do with his great skill.

 

6. Delwan Graham—LSU, Left Team—3.22—Last Year: N.A.

Graham was probably the single most potential-filled freshman from a year ago, and no one knew it because of Marcus Thornton. Graham, as a big man, had a one assist-to-turnover ratio. That’s an admirable number for any player, much less a big guy.

Needless to say, he shot over 50 percent from the floor and rebounded like crazy. Shows what a waste off the court issues can be for young, talented players.

 

7. Jamychal Green—Alabama, Sophomore—3.29—Last Year: N.A.

Green played up to expectations last season, as he entered the league as one of the most heralded freshmen. To say Green had little surrounding support is a drastic understatement, but he still managed to pose a huge threat offensively and was a great rebounder.

If he can manage to hold on to the ball a bit better and work on his decision-making, he has a shot at the next level.

 

8. Murphy Holloway—Ole Miss, Sophomore—3.33—Last Year: N.A.

Holloway is a rare breed. He’s one of few big men that can honestly claim he is among the best on both offense and defense. His hoops instincts are obvious, and his scoring/rebounding prowess is formidable. He should, however, work on his face-up game.

 

9. Chris Johnson—LSU, Graduated—3.49—Last Year: 4.52

Johnson was much like Varnado last year in that he was underweight but extremely long with big hands, seeming to be able to leap up and just wiggle his arms until a rebound fell into his grasp.

Johnson was more of a rebounding/blocking specialist, as he wasn’t very adept offensively.

 

10. Trey Thompkins—Georgia, Sophomore—3.54—Last Year: N.A.

Thompkins is extremely versatile, shooting nearly 40 percent from long distance. His decision-making is awful, however. He has the tools to be an absolute star for Mark Fox’s Bulldogs, but he’s got some refining to do.

It would be difficult to find someone as purely talented on both ends of the floor as he is, though.

 

The opposite end of the spectrum…

 

1. Robert Wilder – South Carolina, Senior – 28.60 – Last Year: 7.00

2. Chris Warren – Ole Miss, Junior – 22.24 – Last Year: 15.73

3. Walter Hodge – Florida, Graduated – 19.00 – Last Year: 14.50

4. Brandon Hollinger – Alabama, Graduated – 17.75 – Last Year: 15.69

5. Will Bogan – Ole Miss, Sophomore – 17.27 – Last Year: N.A.

6. Rotnei Clarke – Arkansas, Sophomore – 16.86 – Last Year: N.A.

7. Erving Walker – Florida, Sophomore – 16.40 – Last Year: N.A.

8. Dustin Ware – Georgia, Sophomore – 14.87 – Last Year: N.A.

9. Michael Porter – Kentucky, Left Team – 13.89 – Last Year: 13.28

10. Anthony Brock – Alabama, Senior – 12.96 – Last Year: N.A.