Alabama Basketball: SEC wrong with Collin Sexton as ‘Freshman of the Week’

The SEC was wrong in naming Alabama basketball player, Collin Sexton as ‘Freshman of the Week.’ Sexton should have been named National ‘Player of the Week.’

To avoid confusion let’s be clear, it is not that Alabama basketball player, Collin Sexton did not deserve the honor of being named SEC “Freshman of the Week.’ He did. The only problem with the recognition is it ignores Collin Sexton was the best college basketball player in the nation last week.

Both the National and SEC ‘Players of the Week’ deserve their designation. Duke’s Marvin Bagley III and Florida’s Jalen Hudson had great weeks. Their achievements were laudable but neither player’s superlative performance matched Collin Sexton’s play against Minnesota.

Compare the averages of all three players from last week’s games and the numbers are similar. Bagley averaged 27.5 points and 12.3 rebounds. Hudson averaged 25.3 points in three tournament games. Collin Sexton averaged 26.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and four assists.

Sexton tallied big numbers in 3 vs. 5 ten minute span

But one circumstance separated Sexton from Bagley III and Hudson. In Collin’s biggest game of the week, he scored 40 points and for over 10 minutes of that game, it was Collin and two Tide teammates against five-man Minnesota. After only nine first-half points, Collin exploded with 31 in the second half, carrying the scoring burden for a four-man and eventual three-man Tide team.

ICYMI: How the 12-man roster went to five, then four and finally three against Minnesota.

Bagley III and Hudson played every minute last week with a full team on the court. Sexton excelled with a short-handed team against the No. 14 ranked team in the nation. Collin deserved to be ‘National Player of the Week.’

During the last 10:41 of the Minnesota game, Collin Sexton, Riley Norris and Galin Smith outscored the No. 14 team in the nation 30-22. The Tide cut an earlier 11 point Gopher lead to three points before losing 89-84.

Check out these highlights of the Alabama 3 vs the Minnesota 5.

How cool was Collin Sexton under pressure? Check out Collin giving ‘high-fives’ to missing teammates.

Sexton should have been National ‘Player of the Week’

Late in the game, during a dead ball situation, an understandably winded Collin Sexton asked Minnesota head coach, Richard Pitino, if he wanted to call a timeout. Pitino smiled and said no.

Commenting after the game about the Sexton led, Crimson Tide run, Pitino said,

"We don’t practice a lot of five-on-three offense so that one’s on me. And then Collin Sexton obviously had an out of body experience. He’s good enough to beat a team with just one guy."

Sexton’s 40 points against Minnesota was the highest scoring total for an Alabama basketball player since Reggie King scored 43 points in 1978. With an obligation to keep his talented teammates involved, 40 points may be Collin’s season high. After his Minnesota performance, Alabama basketball fans and Collin’s teammates will know Sexton can carry a team when needed.

Next: 3 Reasons for Tide's Iron Bowl Loss

Alabama basketball is back in action Wednesday night against Louisiana Tech in Tuscaloosa. In a way-too-early RPI comparison, the Tide is No. 7 and the 5-0 Bulldogs are No. 13.