Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
OUTLOOK: Once again, the SEC is loaded with talent and will undoubtedly have
several teams representing the conference come NCAA Tournament time. But even
with a complete turnover in their starting lineup, the reigning NCAA Champion
Kentucky Wildcats appear primed to be the league's top team once again.
Kentucky rode the success of several supremely-talented freshmen en route to
cutting down the nets in New Orleans last April, and even with the likes of
Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist gone, John Calipari has a new class
of highly-touted freshmen ready to show what they are worth. While the
Wildcats continue to go young, the Florida Gators will try to find success
with a veteran bunch, as several key contributors from last year's Elite Eight
squad, including star senior guard Kenny Boynton, return to Gainesville.
Coming from the Big 12, Missouri will likely join the elite in the SEC
immediately, and at No. 15 in the preseason AP Poll, it rounds out the
league's ranked teams for now (UK No. 3, Florida No. 10).
Arkansas wasn't very impressive last season without its top forward Marshall
Powell, but with him returning from injury coupled with All-SEC First Team
selection B.J. Young, the Razorbacks could be knocking on the leaders' doors
all season long. Tennessee is fresh off a surprisingly successful season a
year ago and returns a solid core of players. Alabama lost a lot of talent in
the offseason but may have the conference's best non-Kentucky freshman in
Devonta Pollard.
Ole Miss quietly had a very nice season a year ago, and it retains one of the
deepest and most experienced lineups in the league. Texas A&M is coming off a
poor performance in its last season in the Big 12 and the opportunity of a
fresh start in the SEC is there with a nice mix of returning veterans and
quality recruits. Georgia also took a step backward in 2011-12 and will hope
guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will step up their performances to lead the
Bulldogs back to the Big Dance. Vanderbilt was outstanding a year ago, but
with the loss of all five starters, it appears to be a rebuilding year in
Nashville.
It's difficult to imagine LSU improving upon its 18-win season with the loss
its head coach as well of two of its top performers from last year. Although
Auburn has won just nine total conference games over the past two seasons, it
has seen positive growth in each of passing year of Tony Barbee's reign as
head coach.
South Carolina has hope that it can eventually turn things around with new
head coach Frank Martin, but it simply does not possess the type of talent to
do so this season. Mississippi State was fantastic in stretches last year, but
the loss of nearly 90 percent of its scoring production from 2011-12 will have
crippling effects on the Bulldogs this season.
CONFERENCE CHAMPION: Kentucky
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1. Kentucky, 2. Florida, 3. Missouri, 4. Arkansas,
5. Tennessee, 6. Alabama, 7. Ole Miss, 8. Texas A&M, 9. Georgia, 10.
Vanderbilt, 11. LSU, 12. Auburn, 13. South Carolina, 14. Mississippi State
TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS:
KENTUCKY: The Wildcats were the nation's top team wire-to-wire last season,
finishing an incredible 38-2 campaign off with the program's eighth national
championship. If UK wishes to repeat, it will need to do so with an entirely
new lineup as all five starters from the championship squad, including NBA
Lottery picks Anthony Davis (14.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 bpg) and Michael Kidd-
Gilchrist (11.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg), have moved on. As proven last season as well as
throughout his coaching career, John Calipari has shown no reservations giving
big minutes to freshmen, and he will have the luxury of coaching one of the
nation's top recruiting classes once again this season. It will be no easy
task filling Davis's shoes at center, but Nerlens Noel will get the
opportunity after being named the USA Today National Player of the Year during
his senior season at Tilton High School (12.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.9 bpg). Archie
Goodwin (6-4, 198) was a McDonald's All-America selection, as was Alex
Poythress (6-7, 239). Willie Cauley-Stein (7-0, 244) rounds out the rookie
class and will surely bring great depth to the frontcourt. The Wildcats also
welcome former Wright State guard Julius Mays (14.1 ppg), who was one of the
Horizon League's best players last season. Six players return from the
championship squad, the most experienced being sophomore Kyle Wiltjer (5.0
ppg).
FLORIDA: Billy Donovan's 16th season as the head coach of the Gators was
another outstanding one, Florida finishing as one of the SEC's best teams in
2011-12 (26-11, 10-6 SEC), culminating in an at-large bid to the NCAA
Tournament and an improbable run to the Elite Eight. This season, Florida will
be without stud shooting guard Bradley Beal (14.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg), who was
selected No. 3 in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, but the squad
will still enjoy some continuity with three returning starters. Last season's
leading scorer Kenny Boynton (15.9 ppg) starts the year ranked eighth in
program history with 1,589 points, and he is within striking distance of
Ronnie Montgomery's school record (2,090). Also returning to the starting
lineup is Erik Murphy (10.5 ppg), who connected on more than 48 percent of his
three-pointers in 2011-12, and 6-9 center Patric Young (10.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg,
.618 FG percentage). It also returns much of its bench depth, with Mike
Rosario (6.6 ppg) showing promise from three-point land and Will Yeguete (4.4,
6.3 rpg) bringing experience to the frontcourt. Freshman Braxton Ogbueze (6-0,
182) should see plenty of action as well as he was one of the highest-rated
point guards in the last recruiting class.
MISSOURI: Over the past four seasons, the Tigers have been a force to be
reckoned with in the Big 12 Conference, and even in Frank Haith's first season
as head coach in 2011-12 they did not slow down, finishing the year as one of
the nation's top teams (30-5, 14-4 Big 12), although their potential was
squandered as they lost the Big 12 Championship as well as their second-round
NCAA Tournament matchup with No. 15 seed Norfolk State. Haith is the reigning
National Coach of the Year, and his chops will be put to the test this season
as he lost eight lettermen, including top scorers Marcus Denmon (17.7 ppg),
Kim English (14.5 ppg), and Ricardo Ratliffe (13.9 ppg). Fortunately, Missouri
still has plenty of talent to be able to compete in its first season in the
SEC, led by guards Mike Dixon (13.5 ppg) and Phil Pressey (10.3 ppg), both of
whom will look to take over as the go-to guys in the UM backcourt. After being
redshirted last season due to injury, 6-8 forward Laurence Bowers (11.6 ppg in
2010-11) will bring some much-needed size to the frontcourt. The Tigers will
welcome an incredible 13 newcomers to the team this season, including
transfers Earnest Ross (Auburn), Jabari Brown (Oregon) and Keion Bell
(Pepperdine). The lack of depth at forward could mean immediate playing time
for freshmen Ryan Rosburg (6-10, 250) and Stefan Jankovic (6-11, 230).
ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks put together a solid record overall in 2011-12
(18-14), but they underwhelmed in SEC play (6-10) and as a result missed out
on the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. However, Mike Anderson's
squad is in great position to improve in his second year as head coach, as
Arkansas returns two of the league's top players. Guard B.J. Young had a
fantastic freshman season, mostly in a reserve role, scoring 15.3 ppg on more
than 50 percent field goal efficiency, which helped land him on the
prestigious Preseason All-SEC First Team. Marshawn Powell was off to a great
start through two games last season (19.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg) before his campaign
was derailed by a knee injury, but he is fully recovered and is expected to
make up one half of perhaps the most dangerous inside-outside combo in the
league. Helping the Razorbacks' chances this season will be an impressive
rotation of experienced role players. Ricky Scott (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg)
and Mardracus Wade (10.8 ppg) should continue to play big roles in the
backcourt, and Rashaad Madden (6.6 ppg) and Hunter Mickelson (5.2 ppg, 3.7
rpg) are valuable bench pieces. Freshman Jacorey Williams (6-8, 204) could see
some immediate playing time after averaging 22.4 ppg as a senior at Central
Park Christian High School in Alabama.
TENNESSEE: In Cuonzo Martin's first year as head coach taking over for Bruce
Pearl, he led the Volunteers to a better season than most people anticipated,
going 19-15 while finishing second in the SEC with a 10-6 mark. While they
were left out of the NCAA Tournament, their season was rewarded with a trip to
the NIT, and the turnaround is expected to continue in 2012-13 with the return
of four starters. Trae Golden was one of the best point guards in the
conference a season ago, leading the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) while handing
out 4.5 apg. Jeronne Maymonn (12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) brings invaluable senior
leadership and stability to the front court. Jarnell Stokes played just 17
games as a freshman, but as Martin's first high-impact recruit, he proved to
be a valuable piece to the puzzle with 9.6 ppg behind 53 percent field goal
shooting to go along with 7.4 rpg. Among UT's crop of newcomers are 6-5 guard
Armani Moore, who averaged 22 ppg and 9.3 rpg at Mount Paran Christian School
in Georgia last year, redshirt freshman Quinton Chievous (6-5, 201) and juco
transfer D'Montre Edwards (6-6, 206).
ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide continue to show improvement under current head
coach Anthony Grant, the team putting together an impressive overall record
(21-12) and conference mark (9-7) in his third year while earning a bid to the
NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. Overcoming the loss of their
two best performers in JaMychal Green (14.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and Tony Mitchell
(13.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg) will be a big hurdle to step over, but 'Bama returns four
players with starting experience, led by junior guard Trevor Releford (12.0
ppg, 2.8 apg). While Trevor Lacey (7.3 ppg), Levi Randolph (6.5 ppg), and
Andrew Steele (6.6 ppg, 2.7 apg) will undoubtedly continue to play big roles
this season, perhaps the most important member of the Tide will be freshman
Devonta Pollard. The 6-8 forward was a five-star recruit and a McDonald's All-
American after putting up insane numbers as a senior at Kemper County High
School in Mississippi (23.8 ppg, 15.7 rpg, 5.1 bpg). Retin Obasohan (6-1, 210)
will also play a part in the backcourt after redshirting his freshman year.
OLE MISS: The Rebels had an impressive season in 2011-12, going 20-14 overall
while more than holding their own in the rugged SEC (8-8), but the team still
hasn't made an NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002. With an experienced
lineup returning to Oxford this season however, seventh-year head coach Andy
Kennedy will have a great opportunity of breaking that streak. Four starters
are back, including seniors Murphy Holloway (All-SEC Second Team), Reginald
Buckner (two-time SEC All-Defensive team), and Nick Williams. Holloway (11.2
ppg, 9.0 rpg) and Buckner (6.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.2 bpg) will make up one of the
most physical frontcourts in the conference, while Williams (10.1 ppg) and
Jarvis Summers (10.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) bring plenty of experience to the guard
position. Ole Miss also welcomes South Plains College transfer Marshall
Henderson, who averaged 19.6 ppg and shot 41 percent from 3-point range last
season as the National Junior College Player of the Year. Adarius White (6-6,
210) and Demarco Cox (6-8, 72) were effective off the bench last season and
are expected to play a similar role in 2012-13.
TEXAS A&M: The Aggies had made six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
prior to their disastrous 2011-12 campaign when they won just four games in
the Big 12 and went 14-18 overall. Billy Kennedy did not have the type of
success he was looking for in his first season as head coach, and he and his
squad will be looking for a fresh start in the SEC this season. Texas A&M lost
a trio of valuable starters in the offseason in Khris Middleton (13.2 ppg, 5.0
rpg), David Loubeau (11.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Dash Harris (6.0 ppg, 4.1 apg),
and replacing that production will not be easy, but last year's leading scorer
Elston Turner (13.8 ppg) is back for his senior season to help shoulder that
responsibility. A pair of consensus four-star recruits join the picture as
J'Mychal Reese and Alex Caruso should be one of the conference's best guard
tandems for years to come. After having a stellar season as a spot-starter and
primary sixth man, Ray Turner (9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) should expect to see even
more playing time this season for a team lacking size down low.
GEORGIA: After a great 2010-11 campaign that resulted in a berth in the NCAA
Tournament, the Bulldogs took a significant step backward last season,
finishing just 5-11 in the SEC while losing more games than they won overall
(15-17). Mark Fox has inspired a new culture in the Georgia locker room in his
first three seasons, and he certainly hopes last year was the exception and
not the rule. The loss of top scorer Gerald Robinson (14.2 ppg, 3.6 apg)
certainly won't help things, but five other players with starting experience
will be back seeking redemption. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a multi-talented
guard, netting 13.2 ppg and averaging nearly two steals per contest while
leading the team in rebounding (5.2 rpg) despite being just 6-5, although he'd
like to improve upon his sub par percentages from the field overall (.396) and
3-point territory (.304). Donte Williams (7.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg) provides
a physical presence in the low post, and Nemanja Djurisic (7.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
played well as a part-timer last year. Marcus Thornton's (3.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
role will expand this year, and while the 6-8 junior forward has great
potential, his woeful shooting percentage (.276) will need to improve.
VANDERBILT: The Commodores had a veteran squad in 2011-12, and while their
10-6 SEC record may have fallen short of expectations, they got hot in the
conference tournament and actually upset No. 1 Kentucky to win the SEC
Championship. A significant amount of turnover occurred after last season, as
Vanderbilt lost star shooting guard John Jenkins (19.9 ppg) to the NBA and
seniors Jeffery Taylor (16.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Festus Ezeli (10.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg),
Brad Tinsley (9.0 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Lance Goulbourne (8.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg) to
graduation. Without a starter from last year remaining (and more than 85
percent of its scoring output), Vandy will need to rebuild with youth starting
with Kedren Johnson (3.1 ppg), who saw time in all 36 games as a freshman. Rod
Odom (6-9, 215) and Dai-Jon Parker (6-3, 190) also expect to be inserted into
the starting lineup after seeing double-digit minutes per game a year ago. The
freshman class will need to step up this season more so than in years past,
led by three-star recruit Sheldon Jeter (6-7, 215), who was one of the best
high school talents in Pennsylvania, averaging 22 ppg, 12 rpg, and five
assists per game as a senior. In the loaded SEC, the Commodores figure to take
a big step backward as they try to gain cohesion with an influx of new faces.
LSU: After four years of coaching the Tigers, Trent Johnson has moved on to
TCU, leaving the reins to Johnny Jones, who had spent the previous decade
leading North Texas where he won 18 or more games in six straight seasons. The
Tigers put together a solid season last year (18-15, 7-9 SEC), but improving
upon that mark in Johnson's first season will be difficult. If getting used to
a new coach wasn't enough, LSU will need to overcome the loss of two of its
top three performers in Justin Hamilton (12.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and Ralston Turner
(9.1 ppg). Andre Stinger (10.1 ppg) returns for his junior season and is
expected to take over as the team's go-to guy, but in order to fill that void
he will have to improve upon his poor percentages from the floor (.349) and
from three-point range (.317). Stringer will be joined in the starting lineup
by familiar faces Anthony Hickey (8.9 ppg) and Johnny O'Bryant III (8.5 ppg,
6.7 rpg). The incoming freshmen class is a bit light, but Corban Collins (6-3,
192) could be in position for immediate playing time after being named a prep
school All-American last year at Massanutten Military Academy (25 ppg, 7.0
apg, 6.0 rpg).
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AUBURN: The Tigers have never been a perennial power on the basketball court,
but third-year head coach Tony Barbee is continuing to show improvement with
each passing year. After going 11-20 in 2010-11, Auburn improved to 15-16
(5-11 SEC) last year, exceeding preseason expectations. Barbee and company
have a solid foundation in place to try and improve upon its record for the
third straight year. Frankie Sullivan is entering his senior season and led
the team a year ago in scoring (12.6 ppg) and three pointers (60). Chris
Denson (8.7 ppg, .464 FG percentage) also returns to the backcourt and should
see more playing time with the departures of Kenny Gabriel (12.2 ppg) and
Varez Ward (9.0 ppg, 3.8 apg), and senior center Robb Chubb (8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
brings a veteran presence to the paint. Auburn also welcomes four-star recruit
Jordan Price (6-5, 230), who has plenty of skills (22 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.0 apg as
a senior in high school) to contribute immediately, and proved with an
outstanding summer camp that he can play both the one or the two.
SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks were one of the few pushovers in the SEC last
season, going 10-21 overall while winning just two games in conference. Hoping
to breathe some life into the program, South Carolina introduced Frank Martin
as its new head coach, and he was fantastic in five seasons at Kansas State,
leading the Wildcats to a 117-54 record and four NCAA Tournament berths.
Expecting a one-season turnaround with this squad may be setting unfair
expectations, but the Gamecocks have several pieces in place to at least
assure some hope of improvement. Eight players return to the rotation, led by
junior guard Bruce Ellington (11.0 ppg, 3.1 apg). Although he is just 5-9,
Ellington has shown the ability to both get to the hoop and drain outside
shots, hitting more than a three-pointer per game. While not spectacular,
Damien Leonard (6.8 ppg), Brenton Williams (6.1 ppg), R.J. Slawson (4.5 ppg),
and Eric Smith (4.1 ppg) all bring valuable experience to the table. Southern
Miss transfer LaShay Page (11.6 ppg) will be an immediate help in the
backcourt, and 6-11 Lithuanian native Laimonas Chatkevicius has a great
combination of size, skill and shooting touch.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: After a down year in 2010-11 (17-14), Mississippi State
returned to form last season as one of the SEC's best, going 21-12 overall and
8-8 in conference play, culminating in a berth in the NIT. The Bulldogs have a
lot of work to do if they want to qualify for their first NCAA Tournament
since 2009 however, as Rick Ray takes over head coaching duties for the
retired Rick Stansbury. Ray will have to overcome the loss of the team's four
best players as Arnett Moultrie (16.4 ppg, 10.5 rpg) and Renardo Signey (9.7
ppg, 5.2 rpg) declared for the NBA draft, Dee Bost (15.8 ppg, 5.5 apg)
graduated, and last year's prized recruit Rodney Hood (10.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
transferred to Duke. With all the departures, only Jalen Steele (8.7 ppg) and
Wendell Lewis (3.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg) remain and they logged significant minutes
last season and their production will need to increase as they are inserted
into the starting lineup. The addition of seven newcomers will help change the
landscape in the locker room, but it is still expected to be a long season in
Starkville.
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