Matt Norlander of CBSSPORTS.com has a great article about the up and rising SEC basketball programs, but notes that they are indeed, chasing Kentucky. Take a look at what Norlander has to say.
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"When was the last time the SEC was both this interesting and on the verge of being so good? It’s been eons, feels like. The conference hasn’t sent six or more teams to the Big Dance since 2008, the longest drought of any major conference. It’s often had down years that resulted in just three programs even qualifying for the NCAAs, and in most of the seasons over the past decade only Kentucky and Florida have been nationally viable.Same old sad, repetitive song, but now it looks like the turn has been made and new tune has been written. Ironically, this is happening at a time when the league’s most accomplished coach, Billy Donovan, is no longer part of the picture. (Most accomplished meaning: done the most within the SEC and in winning national championships. So settle, Kentucky fans.)"
"1. Billy Donovan leaves Florida after two decades to take job in the NBAWith Donovan out, former Louisiana Tech coach Mike White now mans the program. Donovan’s departure seemed inevitable, if only because his reputation continued to ascend, his relationship with USA Basketball was good and he was starting to grow a bit weary of battling Kentucky in the SEC. White’s reputation is about as good as you could expect of any coach taking that position. He’ll have some struggles, but Florida’s already on the books to renovate the O-Dome, and the facilities are improving once again as well. Tough to replace “the man,” but White’s got the skill set to do it.2. Kentucky gets six players drafted into the NBAI could have picked Calipari’s annual will-he-won’t-he NBA coaching circus, but nah, the thing Cal and Kentucky fans are most proud of in the past few months was this. For most schools, getting just one guy into the draft in a given year is a massive accomplishment. If Kentucky doesn’t send at least three, it’s a letdown. Six is tied for the best eve (with, uh, prior Kentucky teams under Cal), and because of this, UK was able to wrangle the top-rated class of 2015. Jamal Murray, Isaiah Briscoe, Skal Labissiere, Charles Matthews."
Will the Wildcats run the SEC like they did last season? I don’t think so, I’m hopeful, but I don’t think so. The SEC is going to prove that it is a legitimate contender outside of Rupp Arena and the Swamp this season.
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