2009-10 SEC Basketball Review: Super Shooters

We begin this year's much-awaited lists as we do every year, with the Minutes per Field Goals Made ranking.

These elite athletes usually provide a pretty solid list of 10 of the top players in the conference, as they attempt a great number of shots and bring down a lot of them as well.

This list also offers a unique insight to the likely all-stars of next season, considering how reliable it is at ranking athletes on their overall scoring prowess.

Interestingly, this year's list features players from nine different schools, with the only repetition coming from Georgia. Five athletes are back in 2010-11 from this list, while one of those is a returning freshman.

What are you waiting for? You must be dying with excitement at this point...read on!

10. Tay Waller, Auburn (5.78 M/FG)

Waller, a transfer into Auburn two years ago, instantly became one of the conference's best shooters.

Hitting 87 of his 212 attempts from deep, he shot an outstanding 41.0 percent from outside.

Waller graduated this season, and Auburn will sorely miss his outside presence.

9. Terrico White, Ole Miss (5.74 M/FG)

White is a fast and athletic guard, the top-ranked guard on this list, who takes a few too many threes for his ability. When he's playing within himself, however, it's difficult to stop him.

Despite not making any All-Conference lists and being overhyped, White opted to leave school this season and take a chance on the NBA draft.

8. Vernon Macklin, Florida (5.51 M/FG)

Macklin, a huge but athletic forward transfer for the Gators, infused the team with some much-needed energy after the loss of Nick Calathes in 2008-09.

With the loss of some top performers from last year, 2010-11 could be the year for Macklin to get recognized and the Gators to return to the NCAAs.

Macklin is the sole member of this list returning as a senior in 2010-11. Don't be shocked to see him mentioned in the 2011 NBA draft.

7. Travis Leslie, Georgia (5.40 M/FG)

Leslie has gone relatively unnoticed and is the underdog of this rankings list.

He's a forward with a soft touch and a flair for rebounding, just missing out on this year's All-Conference selections.

Leslie's numbers were very impressive as a sophomore, and the Leslie/Trey Thompkins duo could be very potent during the next two seasons.

6. A.J. Ogilvy, Vanderbilt (5.38 M/FG)

Ogilvy, a surprisingly efficient Aussie forward who has been a standout at Vanderbilt for three years, has been mentioned on several of my lists throughout his career.

Though he clashed with Kevin Stallings and crew, Ogilvy was always undervalued—he only managed Second Team All-SEC this season.

He left school for the NBA this season, and he should surprise people wherever he lands.

5. Marshawn Powell, Arkansas (5.22 M/FG)

Powell, a dynamic and athletic forward, was overshadowed as a freshman by Kentucky's duo, but he was nearly as impressive and most certainly should be one of the conference's most important players in 2010-11.

Powell missed the all-conference selections but was one of just four players selected unanimously as an All-SEC Freshman.

Look for him to leapfrog the Second Team and compete for First Team status next season.

4. JaMychal Green, Alabama (5.17 M/FG)

Green is similar to Georgia's Trey Thompkins in many ways. Green is a forward with a shooting touch, a big body, and an efficient game.

Unlike Thompkins, however, Green was often overlooked by the media and heavily undervalued by the analysts.

As a sophomore, Green notched the fifth-best scoring efficiency in the conference...no small feat.

He should explode on the conference scene in 2010-11, so don't expect him to be overlooked by the all-conference selections again.

Green has two more years to improve his already impressive game, though he may be gone to the NBA after next season if he performs as I expect him to.

3. Trey Thompkins, Georgia (4.65 M/FG)

Thompkins, a big-time forward and consensus First Team All-SEC selection, is poised to compete for conference Player of the Year in 2010-11.

His mark of 4.65 minutes per field goal made is very impressive for a sophomore, and this number generally improves every year for athletes.

Thompkins is a junior-to-be and is a name to look out for next season.

2. Devan Downey, South Carolina (4.45 M/FG)

Downey, an undersized and speedy defensive-minded point guard, played his role exceptionally well at South Carolina for a full four years—a feat becoming increasingly rare across the college basketball landscape.

The most eye-popping stat about Downey is his 592 shots attempted, 139 more than any other player in the conference. This certainly helped him rank second on this list.

Downey graduated this season and should go undrafted before trying out his luck overseas.

1. DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky (4.33 M/FG)

Cousins, an All-American and First Team All-SEC forward, did everything for the Wildcats this season despite playing behind the over-hyped John Wall.

Cousins' mark of 4.33 minutes per field goal made is the best since I've been recording this stat, showing just how potent his mix of athleticism and intensity can be.

Cousins, as expected, left for the NBA draft after Kentucky's Elite Eight run ended.

Worst of the Worst

Now it's time for the other side of this list. Here's the 10 worst time-wasters on this list...

10. Demario Mayfield, Georgia (19.50 M/FG)
9. Riley Benock, Mississippi State (19.95 M/FG)
8. Stephen Spinella, South Carolina (21.85 M/FG)
7. Josh Wallace, Auburn (22.50 M/FG)
6. Vincent Williams, Georgia (24.50 M/FG)
5. Daron Populist, LSU (26.00 M/FG)
4. Chris Bass, LSU (26.57 M/FG)
3. Ben Eblen, Alabama (29.00 M/FG)
2. Tony Neysmith, Auburn (97.00 M/FG)
1. Stephen Cox, Arkansas (118.00 M/FG)