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SEC: Can Bobby Portis Win SEC Player Of The Year?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Nov 25, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) is guarded by Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Ben Moore (00) in the first half at Moody Coliseum. Arkansas beat Southern Methodist 78-72. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) is guarded by Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Ben Moore (00) in the first half at Moody Coliseum. Arkansas beat Southern Methodist 78-72. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stewie Griffin is the X-factor on Family Guy and his presence is the reason many viewers come back weekly to watch. 

Sure we love Stewie’s snarky comments, his constant threats to his mother Lois, and his ability to make us laugh, but the adorable child-genius is the reason why we cannot get enough of Family Guy.

Just as Griffin is the breakout star and X-factor of Family Guy, Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis is the reason many believe Arkansas will have their first SEC Player of the Year since Corliss Williamson, who also played forward and won the award in 1994 and 1995.

The sophomore Portis is on a complete mission and is picking up from his awesome freshman campaign. Portis has looked sharp this season playing four fewer minutes than his freshman year. He’s averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, is shooting 55 percent from the field, and 83 percent from the three-point line.

Nov 21, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) drives against Delaware State Hornets center Kendall Gray (1) during a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Delaware State 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) drives against Delaware State Hornets center Kendall Gray (1) during a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Delaware State 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports /

Portis is on a similar trajectory as the former great Williamson was on when he won the award in back to back years.

In both of his award-winning years Williamson averaged more than 19 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and shot better than 55 percent from the field. However what Portis lacks in stats, Arkansas makes up for in team success.

The Razorbacks are off to a better start than last season when they won their first three games and then lost their fourth game to California in the Maui Invitational. That Arkansas team went on to finish the year with a 22-12 record and still didn’t find themselves in the 2014 NCAA tournament.

The selection committee missed Arkansas, and looked over the fact they had two quality wins against Kentucky. 

This year Arkansas won’t have to worry about the selection committee forgetting their name. Arkansas has picked up where they left off at last season and haven’t missed a step.

They started the year winning their first five games including a road win against Larry Brown’s SMU Mustangs. Portis in that game had 22 points, five rebounds, shot the ball 61 percent from the field and made his only three-point field goal attempt.

Portis only has one game this year where he failed to score single digits. In addition he has three games where he shot at least 50 percent or better, has had two games with multiple blocks, and four games where he’s had more than five rebounds. Portis has even scored 20 points or more twice in the five games he’s played in.

Of course Portis can’t win the SEC Player of the Year award by himself. Even though the trophy is an individual honor, awards always get won because of the success of the team.

Originally some writer declared that shooting guard Michael Qualls was going to lead Arkansas to the 2015 NCAA tournament, and for good reason; the junior Qualls is the heart and soul of the team.

Nov 19, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Michael Qualls (24) dunks the ball in against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Michael Qualls (24) dunks the ball in against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports /

Qualls plays the role of the blue-collar worker, and main character of the show, Peter Griffin. It only makes sense that Arkansas most scrappy and gritty player is the main character of the team. Mr. Walkonair, as Qualls is also known as, brings the most excitement and energy to Arkansas.

But Portis on the other hand is the glue, and the foundation of Arkansas that they got built around. Need a bucket? Throw it to Portis on the post. Need the opponents best big man to get locked up? Give Portis the defensive assignment.

Qualls and Portis value to Arkansas is crucial, and besides can anyone imagine an episode of Family Guy without Peter and Stewie?

Now that Portis finds himself on the 25th-best team in the country, he now has a golden opportunity to win the SEC Player of the Year award. Portis is no stranger to understanding opportunities in his face and enjoys taking advantage of open doors.

For the man who posted this on his Twitter account, he already sees goals that he can reach in front of his face.

In the mean time just scream “What the deuce!” every time Portis makes a surprising move on the block and catches your favorite team slipping.

Next: College Basketball Rankings: It's Kentucky And Everyone Else