What to expect in the SEC in 2005-06: A much tougher conference

[Biggus Piggus]

A linear progression from the past three seasons' records at Arkansas would suggest a 73% winning percentage next season.  That would be 22 wins in 30 games.

Apparently the nonconference schedule will include 13 games, at least five against potential top 50 opponents.  In the SEC, a lot of teams will be in flux, but possible top 50s may include Kentucky, Florida, Alabama and LSU.  Quite a few other teams have a chance to jump up there.

I'm betting on Auburn being a lot better.  Lebo is bringing in three frontcourt players and more guards.

Georgia ought to be decent too.  They signed five-star guard Louis Williams, averaging 37 points a game, and four-star point guard Mike Mercer.  Plus two big centers, and late signee Billy Humphrey (50 in back-to-back games, pursued by most SEC teams) is a commit.

Auburn and Georgia are poised to try to make a push into the top 50.

Share donors might be Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

MSU is banking on two five-star signees, huge scorer Monta Ellis and Philly center Vernon Goodridge.  The 6-5 Delk twins fit right into the guard/forward role that Stansbury has developed so well.  Goodridge and SF commit Bernard Rimmer are closer to projects than what the Bulldogs are used to signing.  Last year's signees did not pan out either.  Looks like a step back for MSU hoop.

South Carolina signed another heap of mid-major players, sleepers and projects.  I am skeptical, but you know Dave Odom can coach them up.

Vanderbilt signed Alabama shooting guard George Drake and Vandy-style four/five Kyle Madsen.  Stallings loses three seniors and really needs to add some frontcourt muscle, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen.

Trying to climb up are Arkansas, Tennessee and Ole Miss.

The Rebels lose lots of mediocre seniors.  Barnes gets to reset the talent level.  His star recruit is 6-9, 340 Carl Swanigan, from Utah via Indiana prep school.  Xavier Webb of Tennessee is 6-9, 225 and a pro-type four.  Marquis Young of Chicago is 6-9, 275.  He recently qualified.  His AAU teammate was fellow signee Jarvis Walker, a 6-4 two guard.  Bobby Clark is a 6-6 two guard from Mississippi via various prep schools.  Trey Hampton of Alabama is a 6-7, 220 combo forward.  Mike Smith is a 6-7, 240 power forward from Arkansas via prep school.  Put it all together, and this year was a vacation for Barnes.  All of these have high-major talent or close to it, but were available for academic reasons.  Most of them look ready to qualify.  Ole Miss will be no pushover next season.  They will be the most physical team in the SEC.

Tennessee loses four seniors including SG Scooter McFadgon (d before g, sportswriters of the world please observe) and C Brandon Crump, two key starters.  Behind Crump the front line had nothing. Buzz's top recruit was 6-6 in-state wing Tyler Smith, who ought to patch up another position of need.  His main big signee was re-signed 6-10 Damion Harris, now at prep school, who may be good in time.  Also signed 6-8 in-state plugger Matthew Dotson.  Buzz is still fishing for a shooting guard.

Arkansas loses one senior and possibly other players if Stan cleans house.  Signees include New Jersey point guard Sean McCurdy, who missed his senior season with an injury, and Mississippi power forward Cyrus McGowan, strong rebounder and defender with a crude offensive game.  At the least he needs another point guard with an outside shot to do anything about addressing his team's weaknesses.

I count seven SEC teams poised to stay strong or make a push for the upper division, omitting Arkansas for the moment.  This year was our easier shot.  Next season the slope is steeper.

[gatecrasher]

That doesn't bode well for a team still trying to find an identity, does it?

[Swino]

Don't forget that we start our year in Maui.  This is no paradise jam line-up either.  Kreusuewikilikamalapa of Duke and the others will be laughing when they watch game tapes from this year.

They should put a big ole NC 17 rating on our games due to the graphic  prison rape-like debacle that will occur.