The first recipient of the 2011-12 SEC Player of the Week was not one that most SEC basketball wonks would have predicted: Tennessee’s Trae Golden. The sophomore guard earned the award with 29 points, six rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal in 27 minutes against UNC Greensboro last Friday. Golden gunned his lofty point total by being perfect on his two-point attempts (5-5) and deadly everywhere else (3-4 FT, 3-9 3FG). In one game this season, Golden nearly matched the six made three-pointers from the entire season last year. If Golden can continue being the Most Professional Volunteer, Tennessee can exceed the marginal preseason predictions set for them.
Trae Golden has a license to kill opponents from behind the 3-point line (TNJN/B. Ozburn)
On the other hand, pundits expected that the first SEC Freshman of the Week would be one of the four players that make up Kentucky‘s incredible freshman class. This first week features forward Anthony Davis, who tallied 23 points, ten rebounds, five blocks and three assists in just 23 minutes of action versus Marist last Friday. Eight of Davis’ ten field goals were dunks; unofficially Davis may be leading the nation in Fewest Non-Dunk Field Goals per minute played. With Davis’ lauded freshmen classmates Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Kyle Wiltjer yet to be honored with a weekly award, the SEC may just consider creating a Kentucky-specific freshman award so that UK fans can celebrate regional recognition while the rest of the conference’s talented freshmen also get spotlighted.