Day one give had one surprise... Kinda

Georgia Bulldogs knocks State from Tournament with some great effort...   

     Mississippi State dug deep to find yet another way to lose not just a game, but an NCAA berth as well. A lot would have to happen for the Dogs to get a bid. State has already agreed to host the opening round in the NIT if not selected by the NCAA according to a source close to the AD's office. I'm sure that is a big letdown for Bulldog fans. Without a doubt, State is the most disappointing team in the SEC.

Not just an SEC story
 but a national headline

Four Big SEC Stories ...

     Four stories stuck out this season in the SEC. All were completely different in scope but each was certainly newsworthy in their own right. There may be more stories. Kentucky winning the National Championship for the SEC. Is Rick Stansbury is catching a lot of heat from State fans. Is it possible he could lose his job? I don't think so, but what great news for the Tide if it turns out to be true. It would eliminate a great coach and put to rest of questions$ about his recruiting methods. It might help us with D. Pollard. He likes Grant. Kentucky is his other choice. That's not good for Alabama. 

1. The breaking point shaving scandal at Auburn. This is going to give an NCAA already    upset with the SEC's sport success even more room to pass legislation that might hurt the league. This is a bigger story than trouble at Auburn. This could end up being the biggest basketball story of the decade. Auburn's problem isn't just with one basketball player. This is going to be one of those stories where the net could get larger. A Federal Investigation is a serious issue, and no stone will be left unturned to see if this is an endemic problem with the entire program. Let me stress there is nothing to indicate that at this time.
2. Kentucky's undefeated season in the Conference with young players. Whether you like John Calipari or not you cannot take anything way from the job he's done with the Wildcats this season. 
3. The collapse of Mississippi State. The Dogs fall from grace was stunning. I know it made a lot of Alabama fans happy. I don't think I've ever seen a team with more talent play so poorly when it mattered the most.
4. The suspensions by Alabama's Anthony Grant of four players in the middle of a run for the NCAA. Grant stuck to his guns and the Tide managed to find a way to wade through troubled waters to an NCAA berth was outstanding.

    There were a couple of other stories worthy noting. Coach Martin's job in the second half of the season led the Vols to a second place in the SEC Tournament and many think they may make the NCAA despite a laughable start. 

     Tony Barbee's coaching job at Auburn deserves some special mention. Talk about a thankless job. He still kept the Tigers competitive. What a blow to his players to find out that one of their numbers may have betrayed the program. How bad was that.

      The same applies to a lesser degree to those players at Alabama who thought they'd put themselves ahead of their teammates, coaches, and fans. Releford has not recovered from his one game suspension, although I think there is something medical going on with him that has not been disclosed yet.