Fishwater's SEC basketball preview......

fishwater99

Freshman
Jun 4, 2007
14,072
54
48
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SEC EAST</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Florida</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Gators are back as an SEC basketball power. All five starters return
from a team that won 21 games in '09-10. An incredible freshman class
led by 6'9 forward Patric Young will contribute to Billy Donovan's best
team since 2007.<span style=""> </span>The Gators will be led by Chandler Parsons, Kenny Boyknton, Alex Tyus, Ervin Walker, and Vernon Macklin.<span style=""> </span>They are the team to beat in the SEC East.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Kentucky</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wildcats lost four starters, and John Calipari had to reload with freshman guard Brandon Knight.<span style=""> </span>Key
returning players are Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins. Big man
DeMarcus Cousins will be most missed player from last year’s squad.<span style=""> </span>Enes Kanter has been declared ineligible after playing on club level teams in Europe.<span style=""> </span>Look for the Wildcats to be competitive in the league, but not the powerhouse we saw last season.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Tennessee</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Vols will have to play first 8 SEC games without Coach Bruce Pearl.<span style=""> </span>He will not be allowed to have any contact with team or coaching staff on game days. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
Vols team is very talented and led by Junior Scotty Hopson, Cameron
Tatum, Brian Williams, and freshman power forward Tobias Harris.<span style=""> </span>This
Tennessee team could easily duplicate its 25-plus wins of a year ago.
Time will tell how much the absence of Coach Pearl will effect this
team, and if he will even keep his job at Tennessee.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Georgia</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Bulldogs are led by two legit NBA prospects returning to this much
improved Georgia team. Star forward Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie
will led the way for coach Mark Fox.<span style=""> </span>Thomkins
will start the season on the bench with a severe high ankle sprain that
could have him out for quite some time. The Bulldogs hope to have
Thompkins back by the SEC portion of the schedule, if not it could be
another bad season on the hardwoods for Georgia.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Vanderbilt</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coach Kevin Stallings is scratching his head after the losses of<span style=""> </span>AJ Ogilvy and sharpshooter Jermaine Beal.<span style=""> </span>The Commodores will be lead by junior forward Jeffery Taylor, Brad Tensley and John Jenkins.<span style=""> </span>This is a veteran team that could make some noise come March.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. South Carolina</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Gamecocks lost its two most productive players from a season ago.
Senior forward, Sam Muldrow will do what he can to keep South Carolina
in games, but it's going to be a long season in Columbia.<span style=""> </span>Incoming
Freshman Bruce Ellington will provide some help, but it will not be
enough for the Gamecocks to make a run in the SEC East or the NCAA
tourney.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SEC WEST</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Mississippi State</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Bulldogs are coming back from another SEC West title, but that is not
saying much. State was a couple of seconds away from beating Kentucky
in the SEC tournament final before Kentucky won the game in overtime.
The Dawgs no longer have big man Jarvis Varnado, but 6'10" sophomore
Renardo Sidney will be ready to go by mid-December and will put on a
show on the way the big dance. Seniors Ravern Johnson and Kodi Augustus
will have to keep the team together until Sidney and guard Dee Bost
return.<span style=""> </span>Once again expectations are high for a Rick Stansbury coached team, let’s hope he doesn’t disappoint once again come March.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Mississippi</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coming
off an NIT Semi-final run last season, the Rebels are hoping to
challenge Mississippi State for the SEC West title. Point guard Chris
Warren is one of the best at his position in the SEC. It will be hard
to replace Terrico White, Murphy Holloway and Eniel Polynice, who
accounted for 35 ppg.<span style=""> </span>Warren will have the help of Indiana transfer, Nick Williams, forward Terrance Henry, and guards Zach Graham and Trevor Gaskins.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If
Andy Kennedy can finally produce in late February and March like he
does in the early season OOC games, then the future is bright for this
year’s squad.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Alabama</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Second
year head coach Anthony Grant will try to improve on last year’s 17-15
season. The Tide will be lead by junior forward JaMychal Green, Senario
Hillman and Tony Mitchell.<span style=""> </span>They hope to be ready
to take the next step and become a contender for the SEC West. Grant's
second season will be better than his first, but an NIT berth is about
all the Tide faithful can hope for.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Arkansas</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s
time to produce for the Hogs coach, John Pelphrey. The roster is
stronger and deeper than it was in last year's disastrous 14-18 season.
Arkansas should be deadly from three-point distance and leading
scorer/guard Rotnei Clarke, Marcus Britt and Marvell Waithe. The NIT is
certainty for the Razorbacks, and if Pelphrey gets everything he can
out of his team, Arkansas could win the SEC West in 2010-11.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. LSU</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Head
coach, Trent Johnson’s team is still rebuilding at LSU. As usual, the
Tigers roster is full of untapped potential. If Bo Spencer and Storm
Warren, who account for nearly 26 ppg for the Tigers, can continue
their production and Aaron Dotson can begin to live up to his hype, LSU
could very well finish above .500 this season.<span style=""> </span>The
additions of Ole Miss Black Bear transfer, Malcolm White and freshman
Andre Stinger should add some depth to this young team.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Auburn</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">New
head coach, Tony Barbee has his work cut out for him with this team.
For Tigers fans, be patient and enjoy your BCS football run. Rebuilding
Auburn will be a major undertaking.Auburn will be lead by Kenny
Gabriel and freshman Allen Payne.<span style=""> </span>It’s going to be a long season for the Plainsman in their nearly empty new arena.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Postseason Predictions

NCAA Tournament Locks: Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">NCAA Tournament Bubble: Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Vanderbilt

NIT-Bound at best: LSU, South Carolina, Auburn</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">See this and more at ... </span></span></p>http://coach34sports.com/blog2.php<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p>
 

AshleySchaffer

Redshirt
May 25, 2009
649
0
0
Kinda like CoonassBulldawg is inspiring thought and conversation on Tiger Droppings

Dr. Degenerate is becoming an internet psuedo celebrity.</p>
 

Coach34

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2012
20,283
1
0
AshleySchaffer said:
Kinda like CoonassBulldawg is inspiring thought and conversation on Tiger Droppings

Dr. Degenerate is becoming an internet psuedo celebrity.</p>

1/2 my hits on the site come from TD...lots of gamblers out there looking for help apparently
 

alabamadog

Redshirt
Oct 7, 2008
1,010
0
0
Alabama is probably too high and Vandy might be too low, other than that I agree. I would also move us down to the second tier and Alabama to the third.
 

coach66

Junior
Mar 5, 2009
12,679
289
83
I still have several "Get out of Grammar Jail Free Cards" left. Good write up Fishwater, the West looks pretty weak.