My SEC Hoops Preview

[Hoosier_Vol]

SEC East:

1. Florida: Hard to not pick them #1 in the SEC. Defending national champs return everyone and will be a likely choice for at least the Final Four.

2.Tennessee: Great recruiting class to go along with the likes of Chris Lofton,Dane Bradshaw and JaJuan Smith. Loss of Wingate and Watson will be replaced by Duke Crews and Wayne Chism.

3. Kentucky: Last season should have been a wake up call for the Cats, if not this will be Tubby's last season in UK Land. Cats need someone to step up and help out Randolph Morris. That help may come from Joe Crawford or freshman Jodie Meeks. Loss of Rondo and Sparks will be huge.

4. Vanderbilt: Shan Foster and Derrick Byars are among the leagues best players. This is a make or break season for the future of Kevin Stallings.

5. Georgia: The Dawgs was one of the SEC's worst rebounding teams last season and it doesn't look like that will change.Dennis Felton is a soild coach but the talent just isn't there for the Dawgs to be competitive in the SEC.

6. South Carolina: The Cocks will ride the cape of Tre Kelley but it'll need Brandon Wallace to step up to avoid the East basement.


SEC West:

1. LSU: SEC player of the Year Glen Davis returns to lead a very good Tiger team. This could be Tasmin Mitchell's coming out party. Tigers will miss Tyrus Thomas but have enough playmakers to beat anyone in the country.

2. Alabama: Ronald Steele and Jermareo Davidson will have alot of help freshman Verice Cloyd and Justin Tubbs. Will be a serouis threat to LSU for West title.

3. Arkansas: One of the best frontlines in the SEC. The loss of Ronnie Brewer will be to much for the Hogs to hang with LSU and Alabama.

4. Mississippi State: Jamont Gordon leads a very young but talented squad. Might shock a few people but won't make any serouis noise.

5. Ole Miss: New coach but still not much talent. Will battle Mississippi State and Auburn for last place.

6. Auburn: Four starters return from a dangerous team a season ago. Until the Tigers lear to close out games they won't have much success.

 

[utvol0427]

How will Wayne Chism and Duke Crews help to replace Watson? The loss of Watson will hurt us more than most people will realize this year.

 

[therealUT]

I have to take issue with your placement of Tennessee. Kentucky will be better than UT for at least 3/4 of the season. The end of the season all depends on how well our freshman can learn.

 

[tidwell]

Ditto.

 

[tclowers23]

Who do you all take as SEC freshman of the year? I'm taking Ramar Smith, because I think he'll excel most in Bruce Pearl's style of play. Duke Crews or Wayne Chism could also grab this award.

Any other freshmen around the SEC with a chance?

I don't think Lofton has much of a chance at SEC Player of the Year, because Pearl is going to be rotating him in and out more this season to keep him fresh. Pearl will be substituting a lot more this season, using 9 or 10 players every game.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

I think Crews will be the guy to beat for Freshman of The Year honors in the SEC. Other freshman to keep an eye on this season are; Jon Mitchell (Florida) and Jodie Meeks (UK)

 

[therealUT]

I think Meeks has the best shot, followed by Crews.

Lofton has no shot at SEC PoY. Until Ramar proves that he is a serious threat, Lofton will not get many open looks.

 

[tidwell]

I don't know enough about all of the other Freshman... but I hope it is a tight battle between Crews, Chism, Smith, Tabb, and Marques.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

I don't know enough about all of the other Freshman... but I hope it is a tight battle between Crews, Chism, Smith, Tabb, and Marques.

We can only hope! :rock:

 

[hatvol96]

I think Crews will be the guy to beat for Freshman of The Year honors in the SEC. Other freshman to keep an eye on this season are; Jon Mitchell (Florida) and Jodie Meeks (UK)

Neither of those guys will even play major minutes on their respective teams.

 

[hvwarrior58]

Jasper, Crews, Chism, Smith, help me out here hat.

 

[hatvol96]

Jasper, Crews, Chism, Smith, help me out here hat.

Patrick Beverly at Arkansas will play significant minutes.

 

[hvwarrior58]

I was thinking Beverly as well, but isn't he basically a 3 shooter?

 

[hatvol96]

I was thinking Beverly as well, but isn't he basically a 3 shooter?

He can play the point. I'm not sold on Gary Ervin. Wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Heath play Beverly at the point after Ervin drives him insane.

 

[hvwarrior58]

How's about a SEC All Freshman Team:

PG-Smith
SG-Beverly
SF-Jasper
PF-Crews
C-Chism

 

[hatvol96]

How's about a SEC All Freshman Team:

PG-Smith
SG-Beverly
SF-Jasper
PF-Crews
C-Chism

Certainly a possibility.

 

[hvwarrior58]

Of course, I'm sure there are a few redshirts out there and sleepers that I'm forgetting.

 

[hatvol96]

Of course, I'm sure there are a few redshirts out there and sleepers that I'm forgetting.

Correct. There's always at least one freshman, redshirt or otherwise, who comes from off the radar. See Lofton, Chris and Thomas, Tyrus.

 

[hvwarrior58]

Yeah, for all we know, Tabb or Johnson could end up outshining the others. Though, at this point, Tabb is a defensive specialist and Johnson isn't a guy that will pile up the stats(other than assists).

 

[hatvol96]

Yeah, for all we know, Tabb or Johnson could end up outshining the others. Though, at this point, Tabb is a defensive specialist and Johnson isn't a guy that will pile up the stats(other than assists).

As far as newcomers go, Kenny Williams and Justin Cerasoli at Ole Miss will be surprises.

 

[tclowers23]

How's about a SEC All Freshman Team:

PG-Smith
SG-Beverly
SF-Jasper
PF-Crews
C-Chism

Crews and Chism will be splitting time at center, so it will be difficult for both of them to make the all-freshmen team. We may not see them on the floor at the same time very often, which I find disappointing.