Regular Season Champion: Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is coming off a Final Four run last season and has such an experienced team. They have the favorite to win the Wooden Award in Mark Sears, and with returners Latrell Wrightsell, Grant Nelson, and transfers, Chris Youngblood and Clifford Omoruyi who are all fifth-year players in the starting lineup. They also added sophomore and former five-star Aden Holloway who will have to play a bigger role in non-conference while Chris Youngblood is out, which may work out well to get him ready for a smaller role come conference play. The Crimson Tide have the best player and one of the best coaches, and with their elite rim protection and experienced roster, they are the pick to win the SEC at this point.

Coach of the Year: Nate Oats, Alabama

This one was a little bit tougher because there are a lot of deserving coaches in the SEC. I could easily see Bruce Pearl or Mark Pope winning this award, but I gave the nod to Oats due to the experienced roster that he has built and the expected success that they should see in Tuscaloosa this winter.

Special Note: Watch out for Mark Byington at Vanderbilt. The Commodores likely won’t have the success for Byington to win this award, but he did a great job constructing a roster that will certainly compete in the SEC.

Player of the Year: Mark Sears, Alabama

There isn’t much that needs to be said here. Mark Sears is the best player in the country and will lead one of the best teams in the country. He will likely average 25 and 5 assists as the primary playmaker for the Crimson Tide. His only real competition for this award is Johni Broome at Auburn, but it’s hard to imagine Sears not taking home the hardware.

SEC 1st Team

Mark Sears, Alabama

Johni Broome, Auburn

Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee

Walter Calyton Jr., Florida

Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M

Honorable Mention:

Grant Nelson, Alabama

Johnell Davis, Arkansas