gamecocks=beasts
The UberTroll
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There's probably a thread similar to this one, but what are you guys thinking halfway through the season about some of the SEC east teams. Obviously conference play hasn't started, but what are your impressions on the teams you have seen so far. I also need something to talk about after my gamecocks proved that they are the worst team to ever step foot on a football field. Here's what I have seen:
East
1. Tennessee- have been very impressive at times, not so impressive at other times. I put them in first somewhat by default because no other east team is going to take the division and run with it. Lots of young talent mixed in with a few experienced player like smith, prince, and chism. So far, the vols have not lived up to their high preseason ranking with losses to unranked Temple and a dissapointing jayhawks team. This team has tons of potential if the younger players on the team can contribute and provide help for the upperclassmen. The vols so far have been a mystery, preseason favored to win the SEC, we will see what the vols are made of when conference play begins.
2. Florida- Another team yet to find an identity, have played a rather weak early season schedule. Calathes looks to be one of the best if not the best point guards in the SEC. They have not beaten the tougher teams on their schedule, but they have kept close with FSU and Syracuse for the most part. I will put them at number 2 because of recent success in the past years and having Billy Donovan at the helm.
3. Kentucky- Yet another team that is extremely hard to figure out. They lose against VMI, but they have taken care of business against the weak teams on the schedule. Jodie Meeks has been a big surprise so far, scoring around 25 points a game. The duo of Meeks and Patterson may carry the cats far when SEC play starts up. However, the question is: is anyone else going to step up for the wildcats and help shoulder the load. This issue will ultimately determine Kentucky's success this year.
4. South Carolina- Regardless of playing a ridiculously easy schedule, the gamecocks look like an improved team under new coach Darrin Horn. As expected, the offense has gotten a spark from Horn's style of play that he is implementing (Similar to how UT likes to play- up and down the court fast tempo). With one of the conferences all around best players Devan Downey, South Carolina could be quite a surprise in the SEC. Coming off a big road win at #19 Baylor, the gamecocks will try to maintain their success against the heavyweights in the SEC. Depth is a major issue for this team, they started out with 11 players, Sam Muldrow out b/c of acedemics, Branden Conrad out b/c of injury, so the team is basically playing with 9 guys, one of which is a walk-on. The gamecock's season rests on depth and the ability to keep the players healthy, already being shorthanded. Don't be surprised if the gamecocks are in the mix for a low NCAA seed come March. I know, you vols fans will laugh at that statement, but I feel like this is the strongest gamecock team in many years.
5. Vanderbilt- The Dores lost a whole lot of their total scoring from a year ago, that being the main reason for them being at #5. However, they could very well surprise me and be in the SEC mix once again like they seem to do at least the last few years. Ogilvy and Beal will lead a young Commodores team always seems to play smart ball under Kevin Stallings. However, I think the loss of Shan Foster, Alex Gordon, and Ross Neltner will affect Vanderbilt greatly. Of all of the East teams, Vandy is the one that I could be very wrong about, in my opinion. They may surprise me and be a player in the East again, I just hope they don't for the sake of my gamecocks.
6. Georgia- Losses to Loyola and Texas Corpus Christi have shown that the dogs are not ready to make a serious run in the SEC east. They shocked everyone by winning the SEC tournament last year, but I just don't think they have that magic in them this year. The departures of Sundiata Gaines, Dave Bliss, and Billy Humphrey will prove to be too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. Georgia is looking at a 5th place east finish at the very best, although I expect them to sit in the cellar of the east for most if not all of the season.
East
1. Tennessee- have been very impressive at times, not so impressive at other times. I put them in first somewhat by default because no other east team is going to take the division and run with it. Lots of young talent mixed in with a few experienced player like smith, prince, and chism. So far, the vols have not lived up to their high preseason ranking with losses to unranked Temple and a dissapointing jayhawks team. This team has tons of potential if the younger players on the team can contribute and provide help for the upperclassmen. The vols so far have been a mystery, preseason favored to win the SEC, we will see what the vols are made of when conference play begins.
2. Florida- Another team yet to find an identity, have played a rather weak early season schedule. Calathes looks to be one of the best if not the best point guards in the SEC. They have not beaten the tougher teams on their schedule, but they have kept close with FSU and Syracuse for the most part. I will put them at number 2 because of recent success in the past years and having Billy Donovan at the helm.
3. Kentucky- Yet another team that is extremely hard to figure out. They lose against VMI, but they have taken care of business against the weak teams on the schedule. Jodie Meeks has been a big surprise so far, scoring around 25 points a game. The duo of Meeks and Patterson may carry the cats far when SEC play starts up. However, the question is: is anyone else going to step up for the wildcats and help shoulder the load. This issue will ultimately determine Kentucky's success this year.
4. South Carolina- Regardless of playing a ridiculously easy schedule, the gamecocks look like an improved team under new coach Darrin Horn. As expected, the offense has gotten a spark from Horn's style of play that he is implementing (Similar to how UT likes to play- up and down the court fast tempo). With one of the conferences all around best players Devan Downey, South Carolina could be quite a surprise in the SEC. Coming off a big road win at #19 Baylor, the gamecocks will try to maintain their success against the heavyweights in the SEC. Depth is a major issue for this team, they started out with 11 players, Sam Muldrow out b/c of acedemics, Branden Conrad out b/c of injury, so the team is basically playing with 9 guys, one of which is a walk-on. The gamecock's season rests on depth and the ability to keep the players healthy, already being shorthanded. Don't be surprised if the gamecocks are in the mix for a low NCAA seed come March. I know, you vols fans will laugh at that statement, but I feel like this is the strongest gamecock team in many years.
5. Vanderbilt- The Dores lost a whole lot of their total scoring from a year ago, that being the main reason for them being at #5. However, they could very well surprise me and be in the SEC mix once again like they seem to do at least the last few years. Ogilvy and Beal will lead a young Commodores team always seems to play smart ball under Kevin Stallings. However, I think the loss of Shan Foster, Alex Gordon, and Ross Neltner will affect Vanderbilt greatly. Of all of the East teams, Vandy is the one that I could be very wrong about, in my opinion. They may surprise me and be a player in the East again, I just hope they don't for the sake of my gamecocks.
6. Georgia- Losses to Loyola and Texas Corpus Christi have shown that the dogs are not ready to make a serious run in the SEC east. They shocked everyone by winning the SEC tournament last year, but I just don't think they have that magic in them this year. The departures of Sundiata Gaines, Dave Bliss, and Billy Humphrey will prove to be too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. Georgia is looking at a 5th place east finish at the very best, although I expect them to sit in the cellar of the east for most if not all of the season.
