McDonald's All-American Game: Three SEC programs have reason to smile

CHICAGO -- With six of the 24 players at the McDonald's game remaining undecided, there could be some significant shakeups in the team rankings. In particular, Duke and Kentucky have a lot to gain or lose depending on the remaining decisions. However, after a week in Chicago, Kentucky is still among the the programs that should be feeling the best. In fact, the way we see things, it was a clean sweep for the SEC when it comes to which three programs should be happiest following the McDonald's festivities.

What's not surprising about Kentucky's 2017 recruiting class? That it's ranked No. 1 overall. What is surprising about that class? Currently, none of their four McDonald's All-Americans P.J. Washington, Nick Richards, Jarred Vanderbilt or Quade Green is looking like a surefire one-and-done player.

The class also includes four-star point guard Shai Alexander and potential one-and-done Hamidou Diallo, who elected to enroll early and will be a redshirt freshman in 2017-18, so there is no lack of firepower.

However, there is a chance that Kentucky fans might get to know this group for a little longer than one year and that should be a good thing. Washington is a workhorse on the boards and has a little bit of Miles Bridges in his inside-out game. Richards needs work offensively, but is tough and plays aggressive defense in the post while Vanderbilt has added strength and has length to cause problems as a combo forward. The guy who pulls it all together, though, is Green. He's a high level communicator at point guard and makes timely shots. Green rallies his teammates, is pesky on defense and looks to be a guy that will run the show for at least a few years before moving on.

Only time will tell how much of a bump Missouri is going to get from adding 2017's top ranked player Michael Porter Jr. to their roster. But, in the short term, it is guaranteed a player that is going to help pump some much needed life into a program that has been on life support over the last three seasons in the SEC.

Because of all the attention being thrown Porter's way, new coach Cuonzo Martin has a golden opportunity to sell the program and cash in on the airtime. On top of that, Porter was very active in Chicago when it came to trying to get into the ear of other undecided, big-time players. Will it work? We'll see. Five-star swingman Kevin Knox seems to at least be mulling over a possible visit to Mizzou -- though it could be tough to find a time with his next two weeks devoted to the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic.

Whether or not Missouri is able to add any big name or ranked players over the next few weeks isn't going to make or break it. It's going to be all about making use of the wave of energy the program is currently riding and make no mistake about it, Tiger fans should be awfully excited about what Porter could do for them as a freshman.

In the process of turning the basketball program around, Alabama coach Avery Johnson has landed a potential college star in Collin Sexton.

It's looking likely that the biggest impact freshman in the SEC next year won't be playing for Kentucky. Sexton will compete with Mizzou's Porter for most impactful freshman in the league.

Forget the skill and scoring ability, of which there is plenty. Forget his way above average athleticism, for Sexton it is all about the energy, fire and attitude he plays with that is infectious. Fans will love him, teammates can feed off of him and for a program that is knocking on the door of getting back to the NCAA Tournament like the Crimson Tide is, adding a guy like Sexton along with a talented class that also includes a guy that Rivals.com felt should have been a McDonald's All-American in wing John Petty and there's a lot to be excited about in Tuscaloosa.