SEC PREVIEW FOR THE 2015-16 SEASON…
The new coach has gone about the business of coaching Tide basketball like someone lit his shoes on fire. He’s done it all, including some heady recruiting. Bama got a verbal commitment from their highest rated prospect in quite some time. Coleman Coliseum has new seating arrangements for students to bring on the heat in T-Town. Whether they show up in large numbers is yet to be seen, but there remains a strong cadre of Tide fans who will. It will be an exciting beginning for the basketball program, and kudos to Johnson for re-uniting the Tide fan base. It was sorely needed. If you described Anthony Grant, the term stoic comes to mind. Describe Johnson and the words atomic bomb comes to mind.
SEC TAKES STEPS TO IMPROVE IMAGE OF THE LEAGUE...
Quietly, and without much fanfare, the Conference hired Greg Shaheen as a consultant to upgrade SEC basketball. Shaheen is a past NCAA Tournament Director. His job was simple. What does the SEC need to do to become a premiere conference again. The conference was told it needed to do several things:
1. You have the money so increase your advertising budget. Increase your expenditures for recruiting to attract better players.
2. The Conference needs to schedule stronger opponents to raise the RPI of each team. Shaheen found particular fault with weak non-conference opponents. The consultant explained in no uncertain terms exactly what the Selection Committee expects from their potential invitees.
3. A long term goal was to improve the facilities of some schools to bring them to an on par level with the out of conference competition.
4. Shaheen was aware of the pending SEC network, and urged the Conference to make full use of its nationwide potential for showcasing basketball in the Deep South.
The SEC Network is bringing in so much money that it gives all SEC schools the chance to compete with Kentucky finance wise. That’s a good thing if you are trying to elevate your exposure on a national level.
Did it work? The SEC had five bids last season compared to three in 2013. The Conference had a couple of teams on the edge of invitations last year to boot. All decent SEC schools not taken by the NCAA got NIT bids.
SEC FACTOID…
No SEC team has ever had six players drafted by the NBA in single season. A total of seven Wildcats made teams.
HERE COMES THE MAN…
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| Simmons will turn LSU around... |
Kentucky once again rang the cash register. The Wildcats inked the nation’s top center in Skai Labissiere. The 6-11 post player gives the Big Blue an Anthony Davis type player. If that wasn’t enough (and at Kentucky there is no limit) 6-4 Jamal Murray, the best two guard prospect. Top 25 players Isaiah Briscoe, and 6-3 all-purpose guard, and Charles Matthews, a 6-5 tweener all became Wildcats. At Kentucky it is the same old song, with a different verse.
Those two schools are just an example of the talent pouring into the SEC. Every school, including Alabama had excellent recruiting classes. How it ends, as the Greeks say, “it is now in the hands of the Gods”.
PREDICTED FINISH FOR THE SEC…
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| Like him or not, he's a great recruiter |
Last year Kentucky won 38 games. They had six players drafted and another signed a free agent contract. The Cat’s lost the famed super seven. They also lost 85% oftheir scoring, and 89% of their rebounded. The Cats will be decimated, right? Hardly the case if you can believe that. The Blue will return Alex Poythress, the 6-8 SF, who was breaking out last season before he injured an ACL. Marcus Lee, 6-9 forward is back. Lee had several great games last year. Stats are really deceptive for Kentucky. They played so many players no one had killer numbers. The team’s fireplug, 5-9 Tyler Ulis, who might be the best point in the conference is back, and he has plenty of people to pass the ball who can score.
Kentucky signed the nation’s top center and shooting guard. They also signed to other top 25 prospects who would be the best players signed by most programs. It’s hard not to pick the Wildcats. Great coaching, great talent, and the SEC’s best home court advantage. This is the Alabama of SEC basketball. Kentucky may also get two foreign players in Issac Humphreys, a mere 7-0 feet tall from Australia. Next door New Zealander, Tai Wynyard. He’s only 6-10. Both were the best players in their respective countries. The rich get richer.
Kentucky is also the poster child for what is killing college basketball. Kentucky places no emphasis on education. They only want to win, and the term student athlete is a joke a great academic institution.
#2. Louisiana State University Tigers
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| Jones signed the best high school player in USA |
Simmons is 6-10 and can play the post, power forward, small forward, and he shoots the ball so well he can play the two. I know Johnny Jones well enough to know he’d rather let Simmons play facing the basket. The young man has those kind of skills. Add Simmons to the long list of Tiger greats. Men like Bob Petit, Pete Maravich, Shaquille O’Neal, and others make LSU a historically great program. I think Jones has LSU on the cusp of bringing big time basketball back to Baton Rouge. Simmons may be a once in a decade player, and he is certainly another one and done. This is a kid that Kentucky couldn’t get even though he was their top recruit.
LSU lost 32+ points and 19+ rebounds with the departure of Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey. That’s a lot to replace. At the end of the fall quarter, Arizona transfer Craig Victor, a 6-9 inside banger will be eligible. Tim Quarterman is an able if not flashy point guard. He’s 6-6 and averaged 11.5 ppg last season. Finally, the Tigers have long range bomber, Keith Hornsby at the two. He’s 6-4 and is a deadly shooter. He averaged 13.4 ppg last year.
#3. Vanderbilt Commodores
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| Jones returned for Senior Year |
All the size is well and good, but someone has to deliver the rock. That would be sophomore Wade Baldwin IV. As a freshman, Baldwin had some great minutes and was solid. Jeff Roberson is only 6-6 but he has the ability to play both forward positions. Vandy is counting on him heavily to deliver this year. If Baldwin can match his freshman year play, I think that Vandy might just be the surprise team in the SEC. The Commodores have a good coach, and one of the most unique home court advantages in the SEC. Oh yeah, you’ll lose the battle of shooting free throws in Nashville every time.
One thing I’ve learned about the Commodores in the last fifty years is that the when you least expect the success out of Nashville you’ll going go get it. Vandy has been a big force in SEC basketball, and this could be another year for their ship to set sail.
#4. Texas A & M
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| Kennedy says TAM is ready to for next level |
But House is not the great player on their team. Alex Caruso, he of the unexpected passes, played a key role in the team’s success. He was a lot like Levi Randolph in that it was hard to get him to shoot the ball. He can shoot. Alex looked sick (physically) toward the end of the season, and coupled with the loss of House it hurt.
Billy Kennedy hopes that gilded point guard, Alex Robinson, 6-1 can fulfill his potential. That will allow Caruso to play the two guard and not wear himself down. The Aggies have a good schedule and dodge having to play some of the big boys twice. I almost picked them 3rd or 4th and that could have easily been justified..
SEC FACTOID…
This is the first time in memory that no Alabama player is projected to be a first, second, or third team All-SEC. I think by the end of the season at least one Tide player will make one of those teams. My guess – Shannon Hale or Retin Obasahan.
LATER THIS WEEK: The other teams, All-Conference picks, All-Freshman teams, and more.
LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO CRIMSON HOOPS WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW? SEE PAGE TWO IN RIGHT HAND COLUMN.
PART TWO OF SEC PREVIEW
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| William "Turtle" Jackson |
The main news out of Georgia is the Turtle. That’s the nickname of 6-2 guard William Jackson. He is a superstar. He can shoot the long range jumper, break down a defender on the dribble, and has great court sense. He reminds me of the late great Earl Monroe. His mantra was “whoever is free is the man I see.” Mark Fox got a five-star recruit who can play the point or the two. Then you add the return of Kenny Gaines, 11.7 ppg, and Charles Mann, who averaged 11.2 ppg game. The three might well be the best backcourt in the SEC. I went back and watched a couple of Georgia games and had forgotten just how impressive that pair really can be. Add the Turtle and you have something that will elevate you to the top half of the SEC.
# 6 Mississippi State Bulldogs landed two great additions to their team. First, they got a great coach in Ben Howland. Howland has been to the upper echelons of college basketball. The second is the addition of Malik Neman, the top player out of Mississippi who turned down big time offers from Duke and Kentucky to stay home and play. Newman is a 6-3 guard who is a program maker. Expect him to start alongside Fred Thompson who is 6-5 and scored 9.3 per game. Keep in mind that the Bullies return three of their top four scorers. Top of that group is Montgomery’s Craig Sword. Sword averaged 11.2 ppg despite continuing back problems. He had surgery off season and reports are that he is 100%. 6-9 Gavin Ward is back after having a 10.0 and 7.1 rebounds per game.
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| Howland was great hire for Hail State |
Ben Howland took UCLA to three straight NCAA Final Fours from 2006-2008. That isn’t the exact stuff of John Wooden but it’s not shabby either. Most coaches never make it for even one appearance in the Final Four. If you live in Starkville, Mississippi better times are ahead. Howland is known for his discipline. Some say he goes beyond that. How you go from Westwood to Starkville is an interesting story. Look for substantial improvement from the Bullies.
#7 South Carolina Gamecocks are led by the mild mannered Frank Martin. Joking aside, Martin is an excellent coach, much loved by his players, despite having a volcanic like temper. He has high expectations for his own performance, and believes his players should mirror his desire to win. Look for that 17 win total of last season to increase. It all starts around Sindarius Thornwell. The 6-5 shooting guard was injured much of last season, but when Thornwell played up to his potential the Gamecocks were a dangerous team. It might be said that USC will be as good as Sindarius. Martin thinks he is going to be a force for the Gamecocks. Last season the Gamecocks had early wins over Iowa State and Oklahoma State. The Gamecocks even had a cup of coffee in the Top 25. Then USC lost eight games by narrow margins. It took a while to rebound, but the Gamecocks had two big wins in the SEC Tournament.
# 8 Ole Miss Rebels have been on the upswing. They have won 127 games in the
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| Ole Miss "little big man" |
Sam Finley, a JUCO, from Howard Texas Junior College, to be the running mate with Moody. Finley made some JUCO All-America team, and Kennedy has high expectations for him. In addition, Liberty University grad, Tomasz Gielo who is 6-9 to help Ware with the inside game. He will have one year to play. I have to admit to finding Kennedy’s path to success somewhat unique, but he has shown he knows how to find players to fit his team’s style of play. If Moody is not fully recovered, you can expect the Rebels to take a hit in the standings.
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| Pearl hopes Canty can elevate the Tigers |
Pearl is putting his hopes around Kareem Canty, the 6-1 Marshall transfer who now eligible to play this season. Pearl himself says that Canty is one of the best three guards in the SEC. He is a point guard who can shoot, distribute, and run an offense. Pearl is a master of hyperbole, but a couple of Marshall fans tell me that Canty is the real deal. Auburn has some decent size inside. Tyler Harris is 6-10 and has good mobility. A wild card is 7-2 Travon Reed. The center has some potential and got a lot of minutes last year after being thrown in the fire early on. But the main man inside is Cimmeon Bowers, who is 6-7 and weights around 245. He has soft hands and the moves of a guard. He is also undisciplined and was always a show in every game he played last season. If Bowers can start thinking of his team inside of his NBA future, he will be a great asset to Auburn. If not, he’ll be a comical distraction. No doubt he has the skill to be a great player. Some compare his to Charles Barkley. That’s high praise, and a lot of pressure to live up to. If Canty can deliver the mail, the Tigers might be a much improved team.
'Bama lost three senior starters last season. A lot of SEC teams don’t even have three seniors on their rosters. They will not be easily replaced this season. This season is going to be a wild roller coaster ride of highs and lows. I think the highs and a glimpse of the future will be enough to satisfy Tide faithful. Alabama brings in Mr. Basketball, in Dazon Ingram. Ingram was not highly rated, but Kentucky wanted him. That tells me he is a good player. He is a true point guard is 6-5 and that alone will cause a lot of problems for defenders. Justin Coleman, was a four or five star high school recruit who had an up and down freshman year. He had 28 on the road in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The last Tide players on the roster had to be Coleman and Retin Obasahan. Both of the players will love to motor up and down the floor. Obasahan is the best defensive guard in the SEC. The Tide returns a very surprising Riley Norris who had a good freshman season, and showed a lot of court savvy. Jimmie Taylor, 6-10, at Center patrolled the paint like a barracuda as the season progress. He is not a real offensive threat but had his moments. The Tide signed another shot blocker in Class AA Player of the Year in Alabama. A lot of people think that Donta Hall is going to be a great player with some weight and some weight room work. The highly underrated Brandon Austin from Montgomery is going to surprise in my opinion. He is a 6-5 two guard and can go to the small forward position as well. Michael Kessens, 6-10 power forward steadily improved during the season. He’ll be better this year, but you have to wonder if he has the up and down the floor game. If he does he will be a key member of the Tide offense. He needs to get a meaner on defense.
Without a doubt, the real man to keep an eye on is the moody Shannon Hale. The 6-8, 230 lb. forward had some great games. He isn’t afraid to shoot. That was something that Avery Johnson noted right away. If Hale can take his game to the next level the Tide might finish in the upper half of the SEC. Otherwise, the Tide faithful should sit back and get a preview of things to come.
Next up: The last four teams, All - Conference Picks, and a little more
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