SEC basketball media day report

Moses Kingsley surprised by honor

Arkansas forward Moses Kingsley answers a question during the Southeastern Conference men's NCAA college basketball media day, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Arkansas forward Moses Kingsley answers a question during the Southeastern Conference men's NCAA college basketball media day, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Arkansas senior center Moses Kingsley woke up Wednesday morning to the news he had been selected as the SEC preseason player of the year.

Kingsley said he had no idea he was the top choice of a panel comprised of SEC and national media until checking his phone messages.

"I was very surprised," Kingsley said at SEC media days. "When I looked at my phone and saw it, I couldn't believe it. There are a lot of good players in the SEC, so I thought someone else would get it. I did not see this coming.

"It's a huge honor, not just for me, but for our team and the University of Arkansas."

Kentucky had two members of its heralded freshman class -- Bam Adebayo and De'Aaron Fox -- voted first-team All-SEC, but Wildcats Coach John Calipari had no qualms with Kingsley's selection.

"He's outstanding," Calipari said. "The way he played last year and going into this season, I think that's a pretty good choice."

The 6-10 Kingsley was a second-team All-SEC pick last season when he averaged 15.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots. He also made the SEC all-defensive team.

"I'm excited for Moses, because he's put in the work," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said of Kingsley's preseason honor. "I'm looking for him to be even more explosive this year."

Kingsley is the third Arkansas player to be voted preseason SEC player of the year, along with Joe Johnson and Ronnie Brewer.

Monk should get his shots

Don't be surprised if Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk, a McDonald's All-American at Bentonville High School, leads the Wildcats in scoring this season.

"My thing with Malik is, you must respect each shot, because you're probably going to take the most shots on our team," Kentucky Coach John Calipari said. "So shot selection and those things, he's learning and getting better."

Monk, who grew up in Lepanto before moving to Bentonville to finish high school, averaged 28.6 points for the Tigers last season.

"Malik's going to be really good this year and score a lot," Wildcats sophomore forward Isaac Humphries said. "He's a really good shooter, he's quick, he's athletic.

"He's kind of everything you want in a shooting guard. He knows how to play with poise, and he's really smart. I personally really like playing with him."

Smith adds size for Missouri

Mitchell Smith, a 6-10 freshman from Van Buren, figures to get significant playing time in Missouri's front court rotation this season.

"He's going to be a good SEC player for us," Missouri Coach Kim Anderson said. "I think he'll play a lot, because we're a little small."

Anderson said Smith has gotten his weight up to 212 pounds.

"The biggest challenge for him right now is to get heavier," Anderson said. "I think we've put about 12 pounds on him, and we need to add another 12."

Smith averaged 19.2 points and 9.9 rebounds for Van Buren last season.

"Mitchell's been doing great in practice," Missouri sophomore forward Kevin Puryear said. "I think he'll be ready to bang with SEC-caliber players when the season starts.

"I believe he can help us right away. He gives us length that we need inside. Length that we really didn't necessarily have as much of last year. In that respect, I think he'll help us a lot."

Anderson said Missouri assistant Steve Shields, the former UALR head coach, believed Smith would be a good player to recruit.

"Steve knew of him, and we just basically started recruiting him," Anderson said. "He came to visit, and we all just kind of hit it off.

"I think he liked the university and he liked his possibilities of contributing here."

Sports on 10/20/2016

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