Tournament time is time for star players to shine. In a wide open SEC, the race for the league crown will probably be determined by which big-name players have big-name tournaments. Here are half a dozen potential difference makers — elite players who could end up taking home the Tourney MVP trophy on the way to helping their squad grab the big trophy.

The wily floor general: Chris Chiozza, Florida

A Florida Gators SEC title would be one built on the back of spreading the floor, draining 3-point shots and valuing possessions. Which Gator is the key to that? SEC assist leader Chris Chiozza, of course, who also set Florida’s career mark in that category. The senior floor leader’s regular season totals of 188 assists to 57 turnovers are mind-blowing. Chiozza can drive the ball and score, and shot 35 percent from 3-point range. But his ability to find open teammates and to avoid finding the other team would be key to a UF title run.

The scorer: Bryce Brown, Auburn

Auburn surprised the SEC by maintaining focus during a trying season. One of the key cogs for the Tigers is junior guard Bryce Brown, who just eclipsed 1,000 career points. Unlike past seasons when he shot just 33.9 percent and 36 percent, Brown was more selective this season, and improved his game inside the 3-point arc significantly, as he went from being a 23.8 percent and 24.5 percent shooter from inside the arc to a 43.9 percent shooter this season.

How important is Brown’s consistency to Auburn’s success? In the 24 Auburn wins in which he played, Brown scored 18.1 points per game by shooting just under 44 percent. In the Tigers’ six losses, Brown stumbled to 9.5 points per game and shot just 28 percent. Auburn needs a red-hot Brown to take home the league crown.

The rebounder: Jarred Vanderbilt, Kentucky

Kentucky’s surprising key isn’t their best scorer (Kevin Knox) or their best all-around player (Shea Gilgeous-Alexander). Vanderbilt missed most of the season with a foot injury, and once he returned, he has shown almost no offensive skills outside the paint. But he is an absolute beast on the backboard. In his 14 games, Vanderbilt has averaged just under 8 rebounds per game, which is more impressive since he played just 17 minutes per game. Not only does Jarred average an unequalled 18.5 rebounds per 40 minutes played, but he does much of his best work on the offensive glass, keeping possessions alive and refusing to allow Kentucky to become stagnant. He’ll need his best Dennis Rodman imitation in St. Louis to deliver a Wildcat championship.

The Mystery Man: Michael Porter Jr., Missouri

Will he play? How much will he play? Absolutely no one knows. Michael Porter Jr., was one of the most anticipated players in the sport of basketball. Two minutes into his season, a back injury sidelined Porter. Missouri hasn’t exactly been bad without him — a 20-11 mark and an upcoming NCAA berth aren’t too shabby. But if the 6-10 Porter can play — as Mizzou seems to have hinted in recent weeks — well, it could be a game changer. His athleticism, his scoring ability, even just the psychological lift of an extra, unexpected star — Porter could be the mystery man who sneaks into St. Louis as an unknown, but sneaks out on his way to NCAA Tournament and NBA stardom.

The undersized big man: Admiral Schofield, Tennessee

So here’s a badly kept secret: Tennessee doesn’t have much height. In fact, of their seven players who play 10 or more minutes per game, only Canadian junior Kyle Alexander is over 6-5. What Tennessee does have is intensity in their execution, led by Schofield, who plays a couple inches taller than his 6-5 frame. Schofield is UT’s leading rebounder, and for a team that is 199th in the NCAA on the backboard, he has to stand tall. Schofield is more in his element as a scorer (13.5 points per game, second on UT’s team) and as a shooter (38.5 percent from 3-point range). But when he doesn’t hit the glass, UT struggles. Schofield averaged under five rebounds per game in UT losses, and over 6.5 per game in their wins. If he stands tall, so will the Vols.

The long shot: Collin Sexton, Alabama

Alabama is being written off as an SEC contender, and Jerry Palm says its NCAA Tournament hopes aren’t worth discussing. But the best player in the league may well be Alabama’s star freshman guard, Sexton.

A funny thing is that Sexton plays even better when Alabama loses than in their wins — yes, he averages about a basket more in Tide losses than wins, and has fewer turnovers in the losses also. Another statistical oddity is that SEC teams have done a much better job of keeping Sexton from scoring (16.8 ppg) than non-league opponents (20.3 ppg). For Alabama to have a shot, Sexton has to lose his conscience in St. Louis.

The guy who put up 40 on Minnesota or 30 on Arizona just needs to pretend that it’s not the SEC Tournament. Maybe if he shoots enough, he’ll carry Alabama back into the NCAA Tournament picture via a conference title.

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