SEC Preview

I've already been getting comments on this website claiming a strong ACC bias, so I'll have to switch conferences and give all you SEC yahoos something to crow about. :)

All- Conference Team

G- Chris Lofton- Tennessee
G- Patrick Beverly- Arkansas
G- Jamont Gordon- Mississippi St.
F- Shan Foster- Vanderbilt
C- Richard Hendrix- Alabama

Newcomer of The Year- Tyler Smith/Tennessee



East

1) Tennessee
In Coach Bruce Pearl's third year he has a team that can turn the corner in Tennessee Basketball from SEC contender to national Powerhouse. Four starters are back from a team that went 24-11 last year, including National Player of the year candidate Chris Lofton (20.8 ppg). The little man from Kentucky has given UK fans nightmares for the last three years, as he was not even recruited by his home state team out of high school. What a mistake!! He will lead an up-tempo offense that has the potential to average 85-90 points a game this season. The Vols will miss the leadership of departed Senior Dane Bradshaw, but will look to Lofton to become more vocal. Bradshaw's loss might work out to Tennessee's gain though. Transfer Tyler Smith (Iowa), who led the Hawkeyes with and average of 14.9 ppg, will step in to Bradshaw's role and give an even bigger boost to an already dangerous offense. Ramar Smith should mature at PG in his Sophomore year and give the Vols solid PG play. Throw in Senior JuJuan Smith (15.2 ppg.) and Arizona transfer J.P Prince and you have the icing on the cake. This could be the year that Bruce Pearl hangs a banner in the rafters beside legendary coach Pat Summitt's 7 banners.

2) Kentucky
UK fans are ecstatic about the start of the Billy Gillispie era in Lexington, and why shouldn't they be? Gillispie brings new energy and big time recruits to a program that was becoming stale. Gillispie's biggest off-season move was the signing of freshman big man Patrick Patterson. Patterson will step right in at the Center position to replace Randolph Morris. Another 5-star recruit coming to Lexington is Oak Hill's Alex Legion. He should also add depth to a team that will return 3 starters (Ramal Bradley, Joe Crawford, and Jodie Meeks). Meeks showed some great flashes as a freshman last season and should improve with this year's team. It might not be an overnight transformation for Coach Gillispie, but give him a few years of recruiting and changes and Kentucky will once again be the program they once were.

3) Georgia
This could be a critical year for Coach Dennis Felton. He is 58-63 in his 4 years at Georgia, and I am sure that doesn't sit well with the fans. If his squad can keep the injury bug away, he just might have a decent team. Leading scorer Mike Mercer (13.6 ppg.) will be coming back from a knee injury that took him out of part of last season. If he can return to form, Mercer and Sundiata Gaines (10.5 ppg.) will be one of the best backcourts in the SEC. Takais Brown (14.2 ppg. 5.6 rpg.) will be a force in the paint for the Bulldogs. Add in Terrance Woodbury (41.3 % form 3) and you have a team that should be able to put some points on the board. If Bulldogs can avoid any injuries, then they might have an outside shot of making the tournament.

4) Florida
No team in America has suffered more of a loss then Florida. 86% of the offense from last years National Championship team is gone. That could strike fear in many coaches, but not Billy Donovan. Donovan went out and recruited arguably the #1 recruiting class in America. With 5 freshman coming in, and three of those McDonald's All-Americans (Jai Lucas, Nick Calathes, and Chandler Parsons), the Gators will have a bright future. Throw in Walter Hodge (5.7 ppg.) and Marreese Speights (4.1 ppg.) who will see increased roles this year, the Gators have a shot at contending in many games. This team is still a little of mystery though. If the Freshmen pan out, they could be Top 25, if not, then it will be a long year in Gainesville.

5) Vanderbilt
Losing All-Conference player Derrick Byars might be more than Vanderbilt can handle. Byars was not only their leading scorer, but also an emotional leader on the floor. Shan Foster (15.6 ppg.) will be looked at this year to lead this team. Foster has a chance to break the schools all time scoring mark this year. Alex Gordon will run the offense and has shown to be a dependable PG for Coach Stallings. A.J Ogilvy (6-10, 250), a member of last years Australian National team, should provide some needed help in the low post. IF this team can play to their potential, then this may be to low of a ranking.

6) South Carolina
The Gamecocks lost their top 3 scorers from last years team that went 14-16, including all-conference player Tre Kelley (18.9 ppg.). Replacing these three will be a daunting task for Dave Odom, but he may have an answer. In comes Devan Downey, a transfer from Cincinnati, that averaged 12 ppg as a freshman. He will be joined in the backcourt by Zam Frederick, a Georgia Tech transfer. South Carolina's success might weigh heavily on the how well Freshmen big men Sam Muldrow and Mike Holmes can contribute. The team is very small and needs these freshmen to have an impact early if they are to compete this year.


West


1) Arkansas
This team has alot of talent, and if it meshes together well could easily be a Top 15-20 team. They are led by Patrick Beverly. The Sophomore is looking to capitalize off a sensational Freshman season in which he averaged (13.9 ppg.). All five starters are back and will all make an impact on this season's outcome. Steven Hill (7-0, 250) is one of the best defensive players in the SEC, if not America. Gary Ervin, Sonny Weems, Charles Thomas, and Darian Townes all averaged around 10ppg. last season and should provide Coach John Pelphrey plenty of firepower. Look out of the Razorbacks, they could make some noise this year.

2) Alabama
Ronald Steele is back for what seems like his 15th year in basketball, and will look to lead the Crimson Tide into the tournament again this year. Richard Hendrix (14.6 ppg. 8.7 rbp.) is a beast down low, and will be a force night in and night out in the SEC. Alonzo Gee and Mykal Riley will also provide great scoring depth and outside shooting ability. This team has had alot of talent over the past few years, but has never seemed to live up to it's preseason expectations. If they can play together and Ronald Steele's knees hold up, then they could make a nice run come March.

3) Mississippi St.
Coach Rick Stansbury's squad will be led by two upperclassmen in Jamont Gordon and Charles Rhodes. Gordon provides the Bulldogs with a talented PG that can score as well as get his teammates involved. Charles Rhodes (6-8 240) will anchor the paint, and look to improve on last years stats (13.7 ppg 6.2 rpg). Ben Hansbrough, brother of North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough showed a solid game and great shooting touch in his Freshman year, and will be looked on to score more this year. Bryan Johnson, a transfer from Lousiville and Freshman Ravern Johnson should also make an immediate impact.

4) LSU
Glen "Big Baby" Davis is gone and so is most of the team that made a Final Four run in 2006. Things aren't completely bleak in Baton Rouge though. The Tigers are still returning four starters from last year's team. They will be led by a talented backcourt that consists of Garrett Temple and Terry Martin. Both are decent scores, but play well together. Tasmin Mitchell (14.7 ppg.) will finally have his time to shine, now that he is out of the spotlight of Davis. Anthony Randolph (6-11), a McDonalds All-American will be asked to step in immediately and contribute. Coach Brady has high hopes for Randolph to follow in the recent tradition of great LSU big men.

5) Auburn
Auburn return all five starters from last year's team that wen 17-15, and that should brings some hope to a basketball program that has always lived in the shadow of the football program. They will be led by Senior guard Frank Tolbert (11.8 ppg.). He is the catalyst for this offense. Scoring balance will be a huge plus for the tigers this year, since they are returning five guys that averaged double figures. There biggest problem is going to be size and rebounding. Auburn is going to be one of the shortest teams in the SEC, with no starter over 6-8. If they can rebound and play defense, they just might be successful.

6) Ole Miss
Ole Miss will come into this year looking to replace its entire backcourt, and that usually spells trouble. One bright spot for the Rebels is the large Dwayne Curtis (12.2 ppg. 8.3 rbg.). At 6-8 and 280 pounds, he will be counted on to help alleviate some pressure from an all new backcourt. With two other starter returning (Kenny Williams and Jeremy Parnell), the Rebels will rely heavily on their frontcourt to take over games. You and I both know though, that a strong backcourt is what takes you deep in March, and that is something that this team will not have to worry about.