College Basketball Preview 2011-12: Ranking the Top 10 SEC Freshmen

This week, we have already previewed the top 10 freshmen in the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten and Pac 12.

Today, we will check out the best of the best freshmen in the Southeastern Conference.

The SEC, out of the power conferences, has the best collection of freshman talent in 2011-12.

Let's go!

10. Levi Randolph: Alabama

Multi-skilled Levi Randolph (6'5", 180 lbs) can play any of the three perimeter positions.

He has a nice mid-range game, can handle the ball and distribute it as well as many PGs. Randolph is the kind of player who can fill so many roles.

'Bama head coach Anthony Grant has to be chomping at the bit for the upcoming season.

9. B.J. Young: Arkansas

B.J. Young (6'3", 170 lbs) is the best incoming player of an outstanding Arkansas recruiting class. 

Young, a big-time scorer, can play either guard position.

He is an animal on the break and finishes strong in the lane.

Young, along with Ky Madden, will be the Razorbacks' backcourt of the future...that is, if they don't go to the NBA sooner than later.

8. Trevor Lacey: Alabama

Trevor Lacey (6'3", 200 lbs) comes to Tuscaloosa with an incredible hoops resume.

He is a great scorer who averaged 31.4 points as a senior in high school. 

Lacey was a four-time all-state selection and won the Alabama Mr. Basketball award two consecutive years.

Lacey will compete immediately for playing time on what could be the best 'Bama team in years.

The Crimson Tide have only one guard returning who averaged above five points a game.

7. Kyle Wiltjer: Kentucky

Kyle Wiltjer (6'9", 225 lbs) isn't the highest-rated recruit among Kentucky's freshmen, but he may be the one who has the most polished skills of the bunch.

Wiltjer has a great basketball IQ and feel for the game. While he may not even be in the Wildcats' starting five, Wiltjer is going to make a big contribution to what happens in Lexington this season.

6. Rodney Hood: Mississippi State

Rodney Hood is a long and lean (6'8", 205 lbs) lefty who can stroke it from beyond the arc or pull up and hit mid-range jumpers.

Hood is more than just a shooter. He has nice handles and can get the ball to his teammates.

He proved that he came to play in the team's summer trip to Europe, scoring double figures more than once. 

Adding Hood to an already talented MSU roster may push the Bulldogs to challenge Alabama for the SEC West.

5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Georgia

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a scorer extraordinaire.

He averaged 30 points per game over his last two high school seasons.

His length (6'6", 185 lbs) will cause SG matchup nightmares.

KCP will be counted on immediately to fill some of the scoring void created by the departures of Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie. 

4. Mike Gilchrist: Kentucky

Mike Gilchrist is generally thought of as the top SF in the Class of '11.

Gilchrist (6'6", 216 lbs) brings the triple threat of elite-level athleticism, fierce competitiveness and in-your-face toughness.

He is such a skilled defender that he can guard 1s-4s.

His high hoops IQ helps him to be in the right place on the court most of the time.

3. Brad Beal: Florida

Brad Beal (6'4", 195 lbs) is an astounding jump shooter who will be raining down threes from day one in Gainsville.

Don't know what combinations Billy Donovan will run with but Beal, Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton could be one of the most dynamic perimeter trios in the nation. 

2. Marquis Teague: Kentucky

Marquis Teague (6'2", 190 lbs) is the best freshman PG in the nation.

Teague has great quickness and is an exceptional slasher. He has a killer first step and gets into the lane pretty much whenever he wants to.

He will not be hesitant one bit to step up and become the floor leader for this year's Wildcats.

1. Anthony Davis: Kentucky

Anthony Davis is not only the best freshman on the Kentucky Wildcats or the SEC. Davis is the best freshmen in D1 hoops.

Davis (6'10", 200 lbs) is a versatile, multi-skilled PF who contributes in so many, many ways. While scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking are his strengths, he gets things done through ball-handling and passing too.

John Calipari has endless possible frontcourt combinations that he can put on the floor.

Best guess says that, regardless of who else will be in the Wildcats starting five, they will be joining Davis.