by Ben Ward
Two seasons ago, the SEC was regarded as the worst power conference in the country. Then last year the Pac-10 took over that mantle, but the SEC was still regarded as less than stellar. In the tourney, though, they proved that wrong by sending two teams to the Elite 8 (tied for the most with the Big 12). But last season in the SEC, there was a huge contrast between the SEC East and the SEC West, as the East sent 4 teams dancing will the West sent none. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Mississippi St. was considered to be one of the biggest snubs of the tournament, but guess what? Snubs don’t mean anything.
The contrast can’t get any bigger, can it? Well yes, as it turns out next season it looks to have a much larger contrast than it did this past season. The East could possibly send 5 teams (of the six) to the tourney next year with Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and even Georgia all in the mix. The West on the other hand is going to struggle mightily again, and more than likely won’t send anyone to the tournament. So in this look we are going to examine each team, how they are going to improve, and how they will finish in the league. So without any further hesitation, let’s present what will be the very first preview of the 2010-2011 basketball season.
Projected Standings along with analysis of each team:
SEC East-
1. TENNESSEE- The Vols surprised everyone with their run to last years Elite 8 and with a strong core returning and a top notch recruiting class, the Vols have a good chance to find themselves their again. The team is graduating Wayne Chism, JP Prince, and Bobby Maze, three key contributors, but their losses will be eased with the return of Scotty Hopson and the strong recruiting class coming in with Tobias Harris, Trae Golden, and Jordan McCrae. The point guard spot might be a question for Tennessee, but Melvin Goins is going to be in charge of that, while Tobias Harris is poised to take over the loss of Chism.
1. KENTUCKY- Kentucky should have another strong year after last seasons strong showing. UK is losing 9 players from last years team, but Kanter, Knight, Lamb, Poole, and possibly either Terrence Jones or CJ Leslie are going to help ease that pain. Also the return of Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins are huge parts that could help this team crack the top 10 again. UK and Tennessee are going to battle it out all season for the rights of the top spot. Now before you freak out on my having Kentucky *gasp* tied with the Vols, do consider that the addition of C.J. Leslie or Terrence Jones can very easily break up this logjam. Regardless, Tennessee is going to be very good next year.
3. FLORIDA- The Gators are returning everyone but one player from last seasons run to the NCAA tourney, including stars Kenny Boynton, Chandler Parsons, and Erving Walker. Plus, Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus (if he doesn’t stay in the draft) are going to form a good frontcourt for the Gators. The Gators also hit the recruiting trail, picking up key recruits like Patric Young and Casey Prather. Patric Young is a 6′ 9” Power Forward that can really help the Gators down low if Tyus stays in the draft. Young will probably start no matter what happens though, as he is just that good. Prather is a good swingman that can score and is one of the premier defenders in the class, expect Prather to not start given the returning talent, but he will make a major impact on the team. The Gators are almost guaranteed to be a top 20 team for next seasons preseason poll.
4. GEORGIA- I’m going to go out on a limb here and pick the Bulldogs. Last years Georgia team was loaded with talent, and played to their potential in wins over Georgia Tech, Vandy, Illinois, and Tennessee. The Bulldogs are returning Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins, who are both potential top 10 picks in next seasons draft. Also the team is returning Dustin Ware to help the point, and Jeremy Price and Chris Barnes are returning to round out the starting five. The team may lack depth though next year, but the addition of Cady Lalanne should help out that. Lalanne is a big body down low that will help out with the frontcourt and take some pressure off of Price and Barnes. Look for them to make a serious push at the tournament.
5. VANDERBILT- The loss of AJ Ogilvy will hurt tremendously, along with the departure of Jermaine Beal. But returning players of Jeffrey Taylor, John Jenkins, and Brad Tinsley should help out a bit. Vanderbilt has a chance to return to the tournament and the incoming class headlined by Rod Odom could help out with that. Odom is a tall swingman that can stroke it from deep which will be something the Dores are losing with Beal graduating.
6. SOUTH CAROLINA- Next year the Gamecocks are going to struggle. They are losing stud Devan Downey, Brandis Raley-Ross, and Dominique Archie. A good recruiting class could help as a pain reliever with Damontre Harris & Co. heading to town, but I doubt the team makes a significant push, especially in this league.
SEC West-
1. MISSISSIPPI ST.- The ‘Dawgs are losing shot blocker Jarvis Varnado and guard Barry Stewart, but (hopefully) Renardo Sidney will be able to step in and fill the void left by Varnado, and Jalen Steele can hopefully come in and add depth to the guard spot. Dee Bost is a good point guard, and Ravern Johnson is going to be asked to be the star from day one (Both are in the draft right now but I expect them to return). John Riek is going to need to use his 7’1” body to form a top frontcourt in the conference if they want to get to the Big Dance.
2. ALABAMA- The Tide are losing their top scorer in Mikhail Torrence and another guard in Anthony Brock but are gaining two studs in Charles Releford and Charles Hankerson to step into those roles. Releford is a good point gaurd that will be in charge of taking over for Torrence, while Hankerson is a 2-guard that can step out and shoot it or take you to the rack. The team is also returning big man stud JaMychal Green and and three other key contributors in Tony Mitchell, Senario Hillman, and Justin Knox. Don’t be surprised if Bama takes down Mississippi St. to win the West.
3. OLE MISS- The Rebels are losing a pair of good guards in Terrico White and Eniel Polynice to the NBA Draft, but the Rebels are returning an SEC POY sleeper in Chris Warren. If Warren can put up some gaudy numbers next season for the Rebels, they can potentially win the SEC West, while the Reb’s expect big things out of incoming frosh DeMarco Cox. Cox is a big body that they can throw out on the court to help out Warren.
4. ARKANSAS- The Hogs are losing two of their best players in Courtney Fortson and Michael Washington, but are returning two of their top players in Marshawn Powell and Rotnei Clarke. Clarke can shoot the lights out as he put up 51 in a game last year, and Powell was a great freshman for them last season. Couple those two in with returning role players in Stefan Welsh and Jemal Farmer and this team could compete for the top of the West.
5. LSU- After last seasons treacherous SEC play, expect the Tigers to crawl out of the cellar of the West, as they return all but one player from last season. Even if that player was their best player, they are returning two good players in Bo Spencer and Storm Warren. LSU does, though, have 3 studs signed that could come in and put the Tigers
back near the top of the league in Ralston Turner, Andre Stringer, and Matt Derenbecker. Turner is a good wing that can score, and Stringer is a good point man that will help out Bo Spencer. Derenbecker fills a need as a good three man to round out the freshman.
6. AUBURN- The troublesome Tigers are losing their 3 best players and their coach left which is the perfect equation for a bad season. Auburn will struggle to win multiple games next season in the SEC and will almost definitely not reach the double digit win mark.
These predictions are heavily subject to change but as of now this looks to be how the SEC will play out next year.
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