2016-17 SEC Mens Basketball Projections

[jbcarol]

Never too early for these:

Adam Sparks ‏@AdamSparks 1h1 hour ago

Vandy basketball must answer these 5 questions before next season. http://tnne.ws/1RkWrSz 

Will Kevin Stallings return?
Athletics director David Williams will determine his coach's status. Kevin Stallings is the longest-tenured (17 seasons) and winningest coach (332-220) in program history. Even though some fans want a change, letting Stallings go would still be an immense jolt to the Commodores. He has been Vanderbilt's only coach in the 2000s.

Are Wade Baldwin and Damian Jones going pro?
Wade Baldwin said he hasn't decided yet, but Stallings thinks his sophomore point guard will enter the NBA Draft. Baldwin has been projected as an early to mid-first round pick. Damian Jones said last October that he would enter the draft after this season, but he has admitted some regret about making that early announcement.

Will Riley LaChance and Nolan Cressler get on track?
Riley LaChance was an SEC All-Freshman selection, leading all rookies in scoring (12.3 ppg). But he suffered through an extended shooting slump this season, averaging only 6.8 points per game. Cressler, who led Cornell in scoring (16.8 ppg) two seasons ago, averaged just 4.8 points in his Vanderbilt debut season.

Who is the point guard?
Baldwin could leave for the NBA. Shelton Mitchell left a year ago to transfer to Clemson. That leaves no true point guards on the roster. Payton Willis, a three-star point guard, signed with Vanderbilt in November, but asking a freshman to immediately play the position might be a stretch. The Commodores likely will try to sign another point guard...

Will scheduling change?
Setting a very difficult non-conference schedule helped Vanderbilt get an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. But...

[jbcarol]

Time to turn the pange (sic). Time to make the change.

Patrick Brown ‏@patrickbrownTFP 2h2 hours ago

Turning the page: Barnes, #Vols want to keep postseason absence short in second season. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2016/mar/17/rick-barnes-turns-page-second-seasvols/355718/ ...

KNOXVILLE — Not often in his nearly 30 years as a college basketball coach has Rick Barnes has woken up on the third Thursday or Friday of March and not had an NCAA tournament game on his schedule.

His first season at Tennessee turned out to be just the second time in the past 21 years that Barnes won't coach in the sport's premier event and the first time since 1992 he won't coach in any postseason tournament beyond the conference phase.

As Barnes turns the page to his second season, his plan for the Volunteers is to ensure that absence is a short one.

"I think you start over like we did coming in here," Barnes said Tuesday afternoon during an interview with Sports Radio WNML in Knoxville. "I think you start over every year, even if you've got a lot of guys back, or if you've got a few guys back. I think every year is a new year.

"Where it's a little bit more simpler would be the fact that they understand, the players coming back, what we want and how we want it, whereas a year ago we were having to teach them everything. Then what you really hope is when the new guys come in during the summer, now you've got your older guys that are going to do the job in terms of (showing) this is the way we do it, this is the accountability that we have to have. They're on spring break right now, and I hope this is the last one they ever have."

After a 15-19 season, Tennessee must take a pretty big step to reach the NCAA tournament next year. The Vols will be young, with Robert Hubbs III and Detrick Mostella the only players pre-dating Barnes and his staff. A five-man signing class will join the freshman quartet of Shembari Phillips, Admiral Schofield, Kyle Alexander and Lamonte Turner (who sat out this season while ineligible) to form the young core of Barnes' second team in Knoxville.

The top offseason priority for the Vols, whose nonconference schedule next season will be headlined by a game at North Carolina, will be replacing Moore and Kevin Punter Jr., the duo who carried such heavy loads this season.

How far the Vols can go could hinge more on the enigmatic Hubbs — who so often has underwhelmed despite flashing his undeniable talent —

No word on potential impact of 2016 recruits.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonHale_CJ/status/711360536558985216

"The big picture of this is we're all right," Calipari said. "Now I'm going to have a brand new team again next year. Surprise."

For players like freshman guard Isaiah Briscoe and junior forward Marcus Lee, who are not currently projected to be selected in the 2016 draft by DraftExpress.com but have been mentioned as draft prospects previously, the chance to gather feedback from professional scouts could be particularly beneficial. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is May 25, 10 days after the scouting combine.

Regardless of how many players leave UK, the roster is guaranteed to look significantly different next season.

Senior forward Alex Poythress is the one official departure.

Kentucky's 2016 recruiting class, which includes five-star signees Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox, Wenyen Gabriel, Sacha Killeya-Jones and Malik Monk, is currently ranked first nationally. Calipari also continues to recruit five-star centers Marques Bolden and Omer Yurtzeven, though the number of NBA defections may be a factor in further additions.

"We got a heck of a group coming in, maybe the best ever that I've had," Calipari said.

[jbcarol]

Ken Pomeroy Verified account
‏@kenpomeroy

UPDATED top 10: 10) Virginia, 9) Indiana, Eight) Wisconsin, 7) Oregon, 6) UNC, 5) Kansas, 4) Villanova, 3) Duke, 2) Kentucky, 1) Louisville

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio 2h2 hours ago

John Robic says now is the time for Humphries and Wynyard to get to work http://bit.ly/1U6mWeY 

Barring an unexpected transfer, Isaac Humphries and Tai Wynyard will be members of the Kentucky basketball team next fall. Even if they were NBA-ready, Humphries and Wynyard are too young to meet the league's current age requirement, so they will be back.

Playing time won't come easy, though. With at least three talented frontcourt players joining them from the current recruiting class, and maybe one more before it's all said and done, the two second-year big men will have to compete and earn their minutes over the talented newcomers, and hopefully Marcus Lee, next season.

Assistant coach John Robic said they need to use this spring to get ready for the position battles.

"This is a huge spring for those two, body-wise and skill-wise," Robic told call-in show listeners, last night. "They have to take advantage of now until summer school starts, until the end of the academic term in early May, and once they come back from home and that summer school session starts, it is a huge, huge time for those two."

[jbcarol]

Jerry Meyer ‏@jerrymeyer247 21m21 minutes ago

Next year is no different than any other year for Kentucky w Calipari. Another promising recruiting class coming in http://bit.ly/1S48mhP

Even for Kentucky and Calipari, this is a rare group. And it all starts with the best possible backcourt tandem.

Best backcourt class

The Wildcats have signed both the No. 1 point guard and the No. 1 combo guard in the 247Sports Composite. But while the combo guard, Malik Monk, would be the catch of most other classes, the Wildcats' class gem is 6-foot-4 point guard De'Aaron Fox.

"He has all the attributes you want from the point guard position," said Jerry Meyer, 247Sports Director of Basketball Scouting. "He has great athleticism, length, he can score, distribute and defend. He has leadership, and he can make all the plays. If you're looking for a weakness, maybe he could get physically stronger, as he's fairly slim. But that's really it.

"As far as a well-rounded and complete player at the position," Meyer said, "[Fox is] at the top of what I've scouted."

Edrice Adebayo, Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones
All three are ranked as power forwards, coming in at the Nos. 3, 4 and 9 spots at the position in the 247Sports Composite. But while they are all listed at the same position, they bring vastly different talents to the fold.

"From an immediate standpoint, I think Bam Bam (Adebayo's nickname) is your upgrade for that frontcourt because he's the most physical of the three," Meyer said. "Killeya-Jones is a more skilled and finesse type. And Gabriel is athletic and plays hard, he just has to get stronger. How much stronger he gets will be key."

Wildcats are in play for a few other top recruits, including the No. 2 center and No. 20 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite in Marques Bolden. Bolden's 247Sports Crystal Ball currently favors Kentucky (50 percent) over Duke (30 percent).

Out of Kentucky's most frequently used lineups the past five games, that would mean three of the five players — Isaiah Briscoe, Derek Willis and Marcus Lee — were likely to return. Freshman swingman Charles Matthews and center Isaac Humphries are also due back, along with junior Dominique Hawkins.

[jbcarol]

One of the best seasons in Texas A&M's history has come to a close. The Aggies were handled by the Oklahoma Sooners, 77-63, in the Sweet 16

Despite the loss, Texas A&M's remarkable season cannot be diminished and could mark a transcendent point in program history. A&M's Sweet 16 appearance was its first since 2007, and the team's 28 wins are the most in school history.

Unfortunately for Kennedy, he will have to replace several of the key players who led his team this season. Seniors Alex Caruso, Danuel House, Jalen Jones and Anthony Collins played their final games in the maroon and white on Thursday.

[jbcarol]

Florida will lose senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith. The Gators also could lose senior forward Alex Murphy if he's unable to successfully petition for a sixth year from the NCAA based on his season-long foot injury

"We've all got to get a little bit better this spring and this summer," White said. "Each one of these guys ... we potentially could have a pretty good nucleus returning, and if each one of them just makes a little jump, then collectively we've made a pretty good jump."

White said the Gators will be prepared for any additional defections and is open to exploring the transfer market this season.

"I'm sure we will have some movement on this roster as all teams throughout the country will have," White said. "Year in and year out, the transfer rate, just continues to increase and it's always evident with transitions and it's part of the process everywhere. I'm sure we're gonna have a couple of scholarships open up. And we're always evaluating the landscape."

Florida has signed two players to letters of intent for the 2016 class — three/four-star guard prospect Eric Hester (6-foot-4) and three-star forward Dontay Bassett (6-8). Both had strong senior seasons at Oldsmar Christian School in St. Petersburg. Hester is a combo guard and strong perimeter defender, while Bassett is a big man who runs the floor well and should fit White's up-tempo style.

The Gators will need to figure out how to make up for the production of Finney-Smith, who led Florida in scoring (14.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.3 rpg) for the second straight year. Another intriguing addition will be redshirt freshman forward Keith "Smooth" Stone (6-8, 230). White said Stone transformed his body and built confidence in practicing for a full season.

Florida's main issues in White's first season centered around putting the ball in the basket. The Gators finished the year shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from 3-point range and 64.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Freshman shooting guard KeVaughn Allen scored 418 points, trailing only Bradley Beal, Nick Calathes and Kenny Boynton for most points scored by a UF freshman over the past 20 years. Allen scored 20 or more points in three games, including 22 points in the George Washington loss.

Sophomore center John Egbunu also showed he could be a consistent post scorer, finishing the season third on UF in scoring (11.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.5 rpg). The 6-foot-11, 249-pound Egbunu displayed some toughness by playing three games with a torn ligament in his right thumb before undergoing surgery last week. He'll spend the next four to six months rehabilitating from the surgery, but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2016-17 season.

Junior point guard Kasey Hill found confidence late in the season as well, scoring in double figures in each of his final five games. Hill averaged 15.4 points and 4.4 assists during that stretch.

Hill, Egbunu and Allen could provide a solid nucleus to build around, provided all three return next season.

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman ‏@BrentZwerneman 14m14 minutes ago

Despite losing 4 senior starters, Texas A&M intends to be back in NCAAs mix next season: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Sweet-16-berth-gives-Texas-A-M-foundation-for-7104743.php ... via @HoustonChron

A&M made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years with four senior starters, but their exits don't necessarily mean the Aggies are back in the land of the NIT or, even worse, no man's land in the postseason.

"We've got four freshmen back, and three of them played major minutes in helping us win," A&M fifth-year coach Billy Kennedy said. "We've got a good base, and I really like the recruits we have and a couple of kids that we think we're going to add, so that's going to make us even better."

The top players intending to reunite next season are center Tyler Davis and guards D.J. Hogg, Admon Gilder and Kobie Eubanks, who will all be sophomores. Forward Tonny Trocha-Morelos will be a junior; forward Tavario Miller will be a lone senior.

The Aggies (28-9) lose House and fellow guards Alex Caruso and Anthony Collins, along with forward Jalen Jones.

A&M won at least a share of its first league title in 30 years in splitting the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship with Kentucky.

"The seniors showed us what it takes and what we're going to have to keep doing," Hogg said.

Hogg and the rest of the returnees next season will be tasked with teaching newcomers Robert Williams and J.J. Caldwell the ropes. Williams, a forward from Vivian, La., is ESPN's 48th top prospect nationally. Caldwell, a point guard from the Sports Association of Texas for Christian Homeschoolers, checks in at No. 89 on ESPN's Top 100 list.

Kennedy, who's been successfully battling Parkinson's disease since not long after his hire in 2011, received a new five-year contract late in the season. His roster appears settled for at least the next season, but Kennedy might have to rebuild part of his staff.

Top assistant Rick Stansbury has been linked to the opening at Western Kentucky.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello Mar 24

Duke and Kentucky are now both out of the NCAA Tournament -- but they're the likely preseason No. 1 and No. 2...

[jbcarol]

Sheldon: In his postseason news conference March 15, LSU men's basketball coach Johnny Jones said he expected junior guard Tim Quarterman would give strong consideration to entering the NBA draft.

Like freshman forward Ben Simmons, who declared for the draft a week ago and hired an agent just three days later, Quarterman didn't take long to make his decision

LSU finished 19-14 and failed to make the NCAA tournament field, then declined to be considered for any other postseason event.

"He thinks he has an opportunity to go play professionally and would possibly put himself in a position that he'll go all-in," Jones said after the season ended. "He's not going halfway and trying to test the waters. He's out in the middle of it, and that's something that I think he's been looking forward to trying to explore for himself."

Like freshman forward Ben Simmons, who declared for the draft a week ago and hired an agent just three days later, Quarterman didn't take long to make his decision.

Fellow guard Antonio Blakeney, a freshman, could be another LSU player who explores his professional opportunities in the coming days and weeks.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 8m8 minutes ago

For whatever it's worth: My best read on Bolden is mom wants Duke, kid wants UK. Both schools like their chances. Coin flip still.

De'Aaron Fox has told Bolden " he's that missing piece to – I don't want to say a perfect team, but a perfect team." http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2016/03/28/uk-pledges-recruiting-top-center-mcdonalds-game/82349790/ ...

McDonald's All American Game is not known for defense, but that isn't stopping four Kentucky signees here from applying a full-court press on the nation's No. 1 center prospect, Marques Bolden.

"I've threatened him a couple times," point guard De'Aaron Fox joked after Monday's practice for Wednesday night's big game. "I really want to play with him, and the other guys want to play with him, too, so I want to get him on board. I told him I was going to break his kneecaps, but he knows it's all fun and games."

Fox, the top-rated point guard in the Class of 2016, has known Bolden, a fellow Texas native, since they were in grade school. They've always played against each other, but each has expressed interest in finally sharing the court as teammates in Lexington.

Kentucky already has the nation's No. 1 recruiting class with Fox and fellow McDonald's All-Americans – plus five-star forward Wenyen Gabriel, who is not eligible for this game as a fifth-year high school player.

"I tell (Bolden) if he comes, it's over. We could potentially be top five with just our freshmen, not counting whoever's going to come back," Fox said. "So I just tell him he's that missing piece to – I don't want to say a perfect team, but a perfect team."

The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Bolden has narrowed his choices to the Cats, Duke and TCU and plans to announce a decision before his birthday, April 17. He isn't planning to do it this week in Chicago, but "soon, because it's getting close to the end."

Probably promised his mama he wouldn't announce at McD's event.

[jbcarol]

Daniel Paulling ‏@DanielPaulling 14h14 hours ago

I think they'll be all right after adding a couple of graduate transfers. AK can build a roster that wins 19-plus.

Ole Miss has reportedly lost another member of its 2015-16 basketball team: http://on.thec-l.com/1US1x9n

Redshirt junior Terry Brutus plans to transfer from Ole Miss, according to Alex Kline of Recruit Scoop, citing an anonymous source.

Brutus appeared in 36 games during his four-year career with the Rebels, averaging 1.1 points and 7.1 minutes. The forward played in seven games this season, starting once.

Injuries limited Brutus' time at Ole Miss.

He missed the 2013-14 season, his second with the Rebels, because of a torn ACL in the preseason that led to him receiving a redshirt. Brutus then played in just two games last season because of foot and knee surgeries and missed the start of this season because of an ankle issue.

Brutus, who last played for the Rebels on Jan. 30 against Kansas State, is scheduled to graduate in May, meaning he'd be immediately eligible to play this season as a graduate transfer, which would be his final season of eligibility.

Because of his extensive injury history, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound Brutus could be granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, meaning he'd have two seasons left to play.

Two to play two

[jbcarol]

 The Advocate ‏@theadvocatebr 7h7 hours ago

.@RabalaisAdv: LSU basketball coach Johnny Jones upbeat but knows expectations are elevated http://bit.ly/1pHr87Y 

Under Jones, the former LSU player turned assistant turned head basketball coach, LSU has made a habit of winning. He has won 80 games in four seasons. Even a sportswriter can figure out that's 20 wins a year, which is supposedly college basketball's waterline for success.

But the past two seasons and their combined 41 wins have failed to satisfy a swath of the LSU fan base. Maybe it's a disgruntled majority. Maybe it's a boisterous minority.

A one-and-done flameout in last year's NCAA tournament was a disappointment to some degree for all concerned. And a lack of postseason appearance (more on that later) after this 19-14 campaign left LSU by Jones' own admission "short of the mark of where we wanted to be," especially on a team that included the likely No. 1 NBA draft pick.

Jones contends he was dealt a tough hand by former coach Trent Johnson. Johnson posted losing seasons two of his last three campaigns at LSU and left for TCU (where he was fired this month) after going 18-15.

Jones points to bringing in and/or developing top-shelf talent like Johnny O'Bryant (a Johnson recruit), Jarell Martin, Jordan Mickey and of course this year's dynamic freshman duo, Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney.

"To do what we've been able to do, I'm excited about that," Jones said.

At the same time, Jones acknowledges that expectations for LSU basketball are on a different plane than those for LSU football and baseball. The football team went 9-3, and Les Miles nearly got fired. The baseball team won the Southeastern Conference and went to the College World Series last year, and no one campaigned for that team to rank among LSU's all-time best. Six CWS titles sets a high bar.

The bar for LSU basketball isn't that high.

[jbcarol]

Following Justin Coleman and Michael Kessens' announcements to transfer, four key players from last year's rotation are gone with Retin Obasohan and Arthur Edwards graduating.

Alabama's starting point guard Dazon Ingram is expected to be healthy after suffering a foot injury last season. Alabama will also add point guard Avery Johnson Jr. and Memphis transfer Nick King.

As of now, no other players are expected to transfer.

[jbcarol]

South Carolina's roster is in flux thanks to the graduation of four seniors and the suspensions of five players whose futures with the program remain in question.  So, Frank Martin is looking under every rock for potential new players.

[jbcarol]

Mizzou is in need of impact players

The struggles of the past two seasons coupled with the latest defections of Namon Wright and Tramaine Isabell and the graduation of starting forward Ryan Rosburg leave the Missouri basketball team in need of more than one impact newcomer next season, no matter how the program's 2016 recruiting class looks at the end of the NCAA's spring signing period.

Kim Anderson again expressed optimism about the futures of all three players — small forward Willie Jackson and forwards Reed Nikko and Mitchell Smith — the Tigers signed last November even though the group is currently only ranked as the 13th-best class in the 14-team SEC.



"Position-wise, I think we'll need to get a guard, maybe two guards, and I think you're always searching for a big man," Anderson said. "Obviously, there's the self-imposed restriction that has to be used either this year or next year, so we'll evaluate that as we go forth."

The biggest need Missouri has might be for another primary ball-handler, as the loss of Isabell after the departure of Wes Clark in February has left rising sophomore Terrence Phillips as the only MU player with experience running the point.

It's tough to know how to rank the need for perimeter scoring or a low-post presence after that. The Tigers lost their best players at both positions with Wright transferring and Rosburg exhausting his eligibility.

There are options at both spots with K.J. Walton and Cullen VanLeer returning on the perimeter and set to be joined by Jackson and perhaps Barnett, if Missouri does in fact see his future as a small forward. Kevin Puryear is expected to help anchor the frontcourt no matter who the Tigers might add, but Anderson also has rising senior Russell Woods and the two incoming freshman big men, Smith and Nikko, to vie for playing time at the other forward spot.

"I'm encouraged by some of the young men who've committed to come visit," Anderson said. "I think the one thing that we can really sell to them is an opportunity to come in and contribute immediately, and hopefully, we'll be able to sign some guys that will help us win next year."

[jbcarol]

Minutes after Kentucky's season was cut short with an NCAA Tournament loss to Indiana, and Calipari was sitting at the postgame podium in Iowa, already looking ahead.

Don't let the door hit you...

"We got a heck of a group coming in," he said, "maybe the best ever that I've had."

It's clear that Calipari has been looking forward to this next group of Wildcats. Four of them — Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox, Sacha Killeya-Jones and Malik Monk — are McDonald's All-Americans. Another one, Wenyen Gabriel, would have been if he'd been eligible for the game, which also could include No. 1 center Marques Bolden by the time they get to campus this summer.

Time will tell if this turns out to be Calipari's best-ever recruiting class. The players who are now a part of it certainly want to be remembered as such.

[jbcarol]

Kicks For Sale@realsoleworld

@ESPNLunardi Shed some light on Mississippi State's upcoming season


Joe Lunardi ‏@ESPNLunardi 8h8 hours ago Drexel Hill, PA

Joe Lunardi Retweeted Kicks For Sale

Expecting a big step forward.


Joe Lunardi ‏@ESPNLunardi 8h8 hours ago Drexel Hill, PA

Thanks for the impromptu. New bracket on Wednesday (I think).

[jbcarol]

Memorial Magic still resonates with coaches seeking tradition. Vanderbilt offers the unique opportunity of being a basketball school in a lucrative football conference. And who doesn't want to live in Nashville?

Wolken thinks Vanderbilt is in a better position to hire a coach than it was in 1999, especially because Nashville's profile and the SEC's earnings have grown.

"Basketball is more than just a distraction (at Vanderbilt), which is rare in the SEC," Wolken said. "And I think the academic profile, if leveraged correctly, is a huge positive."

The next coach must follow Stallings, who finished with 332 wins and seven NCAA Tournament appearances, both program records. But he was never known as a gregarious marketer of the program.

Jenkins said that need to "make it fun again" — along with Stallings' longevity despite first-round exits in four of his past five NCAA Tournament trips — should make the Vanderbilt job more attractive for a coach with an outgoing personality.

"What makes Vanderbilt a good job is that you don't get fired," Jenkins said. "There was a pretty mediocre coach there for 17 years who had a losing record in the conference and one NCAA Tournament win in nine years, and he kept his job. That's the most appealing thing."

Deep NCAA Tournament runs should be a hope for the next Vanderbilt coach. Stallings made Sweet 16 runs in 2004 and 2007, but his teams never recaptured that success.

[jbcarol]

5 Vanderbilt questions

Are stars going pro?
Point guard Wade Baldwin and center Damian Jones, both underclassmen, are projected as NBA first-round draft picks.

Are scholarships available?
Vanderbilt's roster is currently full, including incoming freshmen Payton Willis, a 6-4 point guard from Fayetteville (Ark.) High

Who is the point guard?
If Baldwin stays, there are no concerns at point guard. But if he leaves, Willis and Riley LaChance would be the only options at the position.

Is this a rebuilding project?
The cupboard is not bare for a new coach. Even if Baldwin and Jones leave, Vanderbilt still returns starters Kornet, Jeff Roberson and Matthew Fisher-Davis. Kornet is a big man with 3-point touch and one of the nation's top shot-blockers. Likewise, Roberson's skill set would fit well with Drew's defensive mentality. And Fisher-Davis is among college basketball's deadliest 3-point shooters.

Beyond that, a new coach would need to revive the confidence of LaChance and develop young guards Joe Toye and Camron Justice and 6-10 center Djery Baptiste

[jbcarol]

South Carolina's roster is in flux thanks to the graduation of four seniors and the suspensions of five players whose futures with the program remain in question.  So, Frank Martin is looking under every rock for potential new players.

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 18h18 hours ago

2 of 5 suspended South Carolina players won't return to team http://sec.news/2360ZSb

Freshman forward Eric Cobb and freshman guard Jamall Gregory are no longer with the team, Martin announced Tuesday. Cobb and Gregory were arrested in March and charged with damaging properties with a BB gun.

Crack Shots Retained
The other three players suspended — freshman guard TeMarcus Blanton, sophomore guard Marcus Stroman and freshman forward Chris Silva — are still with the program but remain suspended, Martin said.

Martin said he would decide their fates at a later date, and that they are not facing legal action.

[jbcarol]

Rob Dauster ‏@RobDauster Apr 4

The @NBCSports 2016-17 Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25 http://wp.me/p1aWjM-2iGj

Putting together the Preseason Top 25 was more difficult than in past seasons because of the new NBA Draft rule that allows players to test the waters. We won't know for another month and a half whether these guys are going to stay in the draft.

To battle with this problem, we put a '*' next to every potential draft pick that we think is returning to school.

2. Kentucky
    Returning: Derek Willis*, Marcus Lee*, Dominique Hawkins, Isaac Humphries, Charles Matthews
    Newcomers: De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, Wenyen Gabriel, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Tai Wynyard
    Why they're here: Kentucky is No. 2 — more like No. 1b — because we were concerned about where they would get perimeter shooting from to space the floor.

ALSO CONSIDERED
A&M (Returning: Tyler Davis, Tonny Trocha-Morelos, Admon Gilder, D.J. Hogg, Kobie Eubanks; Newcomers: J.J. Caldwell, Robert Williams)

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 17h17 hours ago

With Ulis, Murray, Poythress, Labissiere gone, UK losing 65.7% of points, 67.6% of assists, 42.3% of rebounds: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2016/04/06/ulis-makes-three-cats-leaving-early-nba/82709536/ ...

Tyler Ulis, Jamal Murray and Skal Labissiere all have announced their decisions to leave school early – in addition to the departure of senior Alex Poythress. Those four accounted for 65.7 percent of UK's points, 67.6 percent of the assists and 42.3 percent of the rebounds last season.

UK signed the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, which features five top-30 overall prospects, including the top-rated point guard, De'Aaron Fox, who'll have literally small but figuratively huge shoes to fill after Ulis' departure.

[jbcarol]

 Cecil Hurt ‏@CecilHurt 19h19 hours ago

Alabama is a 250-1 shot to win 2017 NCAA basketball tournament, per Bovada.

[jbcarol]

Building a basketball power in the heart of football country isn't without precedent

Getting the roster built in Avery Johnson's image.

Since arriving, six of Anthony Grant's recruits have transferred. Of the 10 scholarship players returning or headed to Alabama, four were signed in the Grant era. Recruiting continues for next season with a few graduate transfers on the wish list.

They'll also need to replace Retin Obasohan's team-high 17.6-point average and 45 steals. Low-post play didn't meet expectations as the Tide was out-rebounded by nearly four boards a game. Arthur Edwards (9.5 ppg.) also graduated while Justin Coleman (7.8 ppg.) and Michael Kessens (3.7 ppg.) will transfer. That leaves Alabama without three of the four top scorers.

Help is coming from a few directions. First, freshman Dazon Ingram's promising debut season was cut short by the December broken foot. Transfers Nick King (Memphis) and Avery Johnson Jr. (Texas A&M) will be eligible by the fall. King especially has impressed coaches and teammates since arriving last summer.

As of now, two newcomers are on scheduled for arrival this summer. Forward Braxton Key is the current headliner as the No. 67 player in the 247Sports composite of recruiting rankings. He'll be joined by shooting guard Ar'Mond Davis, the No. 6 JUCO transfer.

The recruiting cycle is far from over with a few graduate transfers targeted. It just won't include the one-time crown jewel of the class. Terrance Ferguson, the nation's No. 15 player, committed to Alabama in August but didn't sign in the fall. He officially dropped the pledge March 1. Johnson had stated his willingness to pursue the one-and-done level player like Ferguson, but didn't hook one thus far in the first full year recruiting.

ohnson said they should be ready to make noise by 2017-18 with two full recruiting classes built around his vision.

"By the third year, that's when we have to have the wheels rolling on this thing," Johnson said. "If we do it right. Coaches hate responsibility, but that will let me know if I have this thing going by the third year.

"I'm not trying to come in here and wave a magic wand and say we're going to get this thing done over night," Johnson said. "But at the same time, we are laying the steps. We have to treat our program, not like we're a football program, but we have to treat our program like it's a basketball elite program."

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology  April 7, 2016

1-seed UK
5 A&M
9 Vandy
10 Florida

First Four Out

    Virginia Tech
    Providence
    Texas Tech
    Mississippi State

CONFERENCE   TEAMS
Big Ten   8
ACC   8
Pac-12   6
Big 12   6
Big East   5
SEC   4

[jbcarol]

Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet is ready to lead the Commodores into the Bryce Drew era, but he will do it on crutches until midsummer.

Kornet, a 7-foot-1 forward, had a screw replaced in his foot for precautionary reasons about three weeks ago. He will be out for another two-plus months before returning to the court for Drew, who was hired as Vanderbilt's new coach on Wednesday.

When he does get back, Kornet wants to fully "buy in" to Drew's plan, and he said the whole team must do the same for the Commodores to have a chance at returning to the NCAA Tournament next season.

"If it's just one person, it's not going to be worth anything," Kornet said. "It's got to be everybody moving in the right direction for us to really win this year."

Aside from a leadership role, Kornet arguably will be Vanderbilt's best returning player since point guard Wade Baldwin and center Damian Jones plan to go in the NBA draft.

Last season, Kornet averaged 8.9 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds despite missing five games with a torn MCL at midseason. His 3.0 blocks per game ranked fourth-most in the nation, and he was voted to the All-SEC Defensive team.

Kornet, who also posted the program's second triple-double of the modern era this past season, said he's fine with being Drew's first offensive option, if that's what is needed.

"I am definitely open to that. I think I stepped into that role some this last year, except when I got hurt," Kornet said.

"Just from the brief conversations I've had, everybody seems to love (Drew)," forward Jeff Roberson said. "Yeah, it's a little strange when you build relationships because you are recruited by coach (Kevin) Stallings and you play for him. Things can change real quick.

"But (Drew) has a very good reputation, and he really seems like a great guy."

Some players had met their new coach or his brother, Baylor coach Scott Drew, before. Bryce Drew recruited Joe Toye at Valparaiso. Scott Drew recruited guards Matthew Fisher-Davis and Riley LaChance.

Fisher-Davis, one of the SEC's top 3-point shooters, said he wasn't interested in looking at Drew's style of play at Valparaiso. Instead, he wants to see it first-hand at Memorial Gym to understand where he fits.

"I just want to judge him with a clean slate," Fisher-Davis said. "I just want my impressions to be my impressions, nobody else's."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/DanielPaulling/status/720292945107136512

Ole Miss may have found next season's starting point guard.

Redshirt junior Cullen Neal intends to transfer from New Mexico to Ole Miss, according to ESPN's Jeff Goodman. The 6-foot-5 Neal is immediately eligible to play as a graduate transfer and has two seasons' worth of eligibility remaining.

"They just made me feel like home," Neal told ESPN. "I just felt like it was the right place for me -- and I think they have a chance to be really good in the next few years."

He averaged 30.2 minutes, 12.3 points and 3.7 assists in 31 games last season, shooting 35 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from 3-point range. Neal, however, struggled with (shooting and )turnovers, committing 3.3 per game.

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 2h2 hours ago

We're still a ways away from next season, but finding a top challenger for Kentucky in the SEC is difficult. No clear cut second team.

[jbcarol]

Shelby Mast ‏@BracketWAG Apr 13

Yes it's early, yes I've still got the Madness! New bracket for 2016-17 season posted, enjoy a good laugh! http://www.bracketwag.com

1 - UK
7 - A&M
9 - Miss. St.
11 - UF
11 - Bama

Last 4 in - Alabama, Saint Joseph's, VCU, Kansas State    
First 4 out - Ohio State, California, Iowa, Auburn    
Others considered for at-large bids (in no particular order) -  Georgia Tech, Houston, Temple, Tulsa, George Washington, Richmond, Saint Bonaventure, Marquette, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Georgetown, Proidence, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Evansville, Illinois State, Arkansas, UNLV, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arizona State, Colorado, Stanford, Washington, BYU, Clemson, Nebraska, Colorado State, Northern Iowa, Boise State, Memphis, Georgia

Multi bid conferences - ACC (9), Big 12 (7), Big 10 (5), Big East (5), PAC 12 (5),
SEC (5), ...

[jbcarol]

SEC rebuilding

Florida hasn't played in each of the past two NCAA Tournaments and while Mike White's team has a chance in 2017, nothing is guaranteed.

The same can be said for the rest of the league as well.

Vanderbilt will be in complete rebuilding mode under first-year coach Bryce Drew after losing both Wade Baldwin and Damian Jones to the NBA. Texas A&M has quality young talent in its program, but loses four proud veterans in Anthony Collins, Alex Caruso, Danuel House, and Jalen Jones.

LSU, South Carolina, and Ole Miss both suffered significant personnel defections while Mississippi State and Auburn are probably a year away from really contending for a spot at the top of the SEC standings.

[jbcarol]

The last member of the Missouri basketball team's once-celebrated 2014 recruiting class is leaving.

Jakeenan Gant, a former Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia, has asked for his release to transfer and will follow Montaque Gill-Caesar, Namon Wright, D'Angelo Allen and Tramaine Isabell out of Columbia.

The group, once ranked as the nation's 11th-best recruiting class [in our nation] contributed to two of the worst season's in program history during its short time together, combining for a record of 19-44 over the past two seasons.

Gant's departure comes as a surprise because the 6-foot-8, 207-pound forward — who underwent offseason shoulder surgery last month — had seemed in line for an expanded role in a thin Missouri frontcourt heading into Coach Kim Anderson's third season.

Gant never made the impact that was anticipated when he signed to play for then Coach Frank Haith, in November 2013. At the time, he was ranked as one of the nation's top 60 prospects and would go on to average 21.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 2.8 assists as a senior at Effingham County High School in Springfield, Ga.



His departure leaves Missouri with even fewer established players in the frontcourt heading into next season. Incumbent starter Kevin Puryear, the team's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, and rising senior reserve Russell Woods stand as the team's only returning players. The Tigers have added Texas transfer Jordan Barnett, though he had been expected to see more time on the wing and won't be eligible until December, along with incoming freshmen Reed Nikko and Mitchell Smith.

Missouri has two scholarships it can use on the 2016-17 roster, though it had been expected to hold one to absorb a self-imposed scholarship reduction to help resolve its NCAA case and is facing a thin pool of potential frontcourt targets with the NCAA's spring signing period already more than a week old.

[jbcarol]

NBC Sports 2016-17 Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25

2. Kentucky
Returning: Derek Willis*, Dominique Hawkins, Isaac Humphries, Charles Matthews
Newcomers: De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, Wenyen Gabriel, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Tai Wynyard
Why they're here: Kentucky is No. 2 — more like No. 1b —

ALSO CONSIDERED
A&M (Returning: Tyler Davis, Tonny Trocha-Morelos, Admon Gilder, D.J. Hogg, Kobie Eubanks; Newcomers: J.J. Caldwell, Robert Williams)

[jbcarol]

CT24@ctommoli24

@JonRothstein how will Tennessee look next year?


Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 6h6 hours ago

Jon Rothstein Retweeted CT24

Still rebuilding. Rest of SEC is a mystery after Kentucky next season.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 14h14 hours ago

Center Gak adds size to UF's 2016 class - via @Gator_sports http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20160425/ARTICLES/160429779/1217?Title=UF-basketball-adds-6-foot-11-center-to-class ...

Florida added a versatile, skilled big man to its 2016 basketball recruiting class when 6-foot-11, 205-pound Gorjok Gak committed to the Gators late Sunday night.

A three-star recruit from Victory Rock Prep School in Bradenton...

"It's been a long and rugged process, but I couldn't have done it without my family and my basketball family," Gak wrote in his tweet. "It's a good day to be a Gator."

Gak returned to his native Australia after wrapping up his college visits and couldn't be reached for comment. But Victory Rock Prep coach Loren Jackson said he thinks Gak will adapt well to UF coach Mike White's up-tempo system.

"It's a great opportunity for him to come in with a young staff and have a chance to be a contributor," Jackson said.

In its scouting report on Gak, ESPN.com wrote: "Gak is a extra long power forward that runs the floor well. He is a strong above-the-rim finisher on all clear paths and when he receives drop-off passes created by dribble penetration. He is a good rebounder on both ends and displays good touch and feel."

Gak will join guard Eric Hester (6-4, Oldsmar Christian) and forward Dontay Bassett (6-8, Oldsmar Christian) as UF's third member of the Class of '16 when his signing becomes official. All three played their senior seasons of high school within the state.

One concern about Gak is his ability to match up physically against SEC frontlines due to his lack of bulk .Jackson said Gak's frame could add more muscle in a college strength and conditioning program.

"He's going to get stronger as he gets older," Jackson said. "The one thing you can't teach is skill and he has plenty of skill. He has a good feel for the game."

[jbcarol]

Houston point guard Ronnie Johnson will transfer to Auburn. The 6-foot, 180-pound graduate transfer will be eligible to play in the 2016-17 season.

Johnson averaged 9.4 points and 2.9 assists per game for Houston last season. He transferred to Houston from Purdue, where he was a standout as a freshman and sophomore, averaging over 10 points and 3.7 rebounds both seasons.

Johnson becomes the favorite to be Auburn's starting point guard next season with four-star signee Jared Harper, who is expected to arrive this summer, able to be integrated into the lineup.

Pearl had not been shy about making a graduate transfer at point guard the top priority...

Auburn is also expected to have Tahj Shamsid-Deen back following his second season plagued by shoulder injuries.

[jbcarol]

 GoGamecocks.com ‏@gogamecocks 15h15 hours ago

VIDEO: Frank Martin talks new assistant coach, transfer Kory Holden and more http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-mens-basketball/article75438482.html ...

The steward of the Gamecocks men's basketball program breaks down the arrival of his new assistant, Bruce Shingler, and Delaware transfer point guard Kory Holden.

[jbcarol]

TexAgs ‏@TexAgs 1h1 hour ago

A&M basketball lands 2016 Lipscomb transfer JC Hampton ...

JC Hampton's stats from his last season at Lipscomb: 15.9 pts/game 2.7 ast/game 1.2 stl/game 40.1 FG% 35.3 3P% 83.1 FT%

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/731282518146617344

But would Bolden go to Duke?

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 2h2 hours ago

Only 7 days until we find out who is actually staying in the 2016 NBA Draft.

[jbcarol]

Freshman guard Charles Matthews is transferring from Kentucky and has been granted a full release with no restrictions, the school confirmed Wednesday.

6-foot-6 Chicago native and former four-star recruit, Matthews averaged just 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game last season. He started three times and recorded career highs in points (11) and rebounds (7) against South Florida and Boston University.

"The hardest thing as a coach is to lose a player that you really want to coach," Calipari said. "In Charles' case, I believe he is going to be a productive college player who has the ability to play at the next level. I know Charles' best basketball is ahead of him, and while I'm a saddened to see him go, I support his decision and will help in any way I can.

"It hasn't happened very often in my career, but transferring is a part of our game. It doesn't change who we are as a program. We will support every kid in whatever way we can to make sure they can pursue their dreams, because ultimately that's all I want for these young men."

Matthews is recovering from an unspecified minor medical procedure prompted by a gait that "looked so bad," Calipari said last week, that it "made my hips hurt."

Matthews joins a short list of Kentucky transfers since Calipari took over in 2009. Darnell Dodson (Southern Miss), Stacey Poole (Georgia Tech), Ryan Harrow (Georgia State) and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga) are the only others. Matthews' departure has another effect: no matter what Marcus Lee and Isaiah Briscoe decide about the NBA draft, UK now has a scholarship available for five-star center Marques Bolden, who is set to announce his decision Thursday.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 5m5 minutes ago

UK's worst-case scenario: Matthews transfers, Lee and Briscoe stay in the draft and Bolden picks Duke. Loaded starting five, but then ...

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio 11h11 hours ago

3 weeks ago, Marcus Lee was 95% headed to Draft and Briscoe was 95% returning. Now both are basically toss-ups. Unsure what either will do

Both come back: Fox, Monk, Briscoe, Willis, Bam...Neither come back: Fox, Monk, Willis, Wenyen, Bam

UK would like to have both Briscoe and Lee back...if Briscoe doesn't come back, Hawkins must step up...if Lee doesn't come back, I-Zack must

[jbcarol]

Another reason Briscoe/Lee decisions are big: 5 ranked opponents before Christmas would be hell on all-frosh squad.

Cats' non-conference slate is already stacked with big-name opponents and far-flung trips: vs. Michigan State in Madison Square Garden (Champions Classic) on Nov. 15, vs. Arizona State in the Bahamas on Nov. 28, vs. UCLA in Rupp Arena on Dec. 3, vs. Hofstra at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 11, vs. North Carolina in Las Vegas (CBS Sports Classic) on Dec. 17 and at Louisville on Dec. 21.

Kentucky is ranked No. 2 in CBS Sports' "Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25," and if the latest report is accurate, the Cats will face No. 4 Kansas, No. 6 Michigan State, No. 7 North Carolina, No. 11 UCLA and No. 17 Louisville.

[jbcarol]

Georgia's Juwan Parker receives medical redshirt after missed season

Parker missed the entire 2015-16 season with a partially torn Achilles

The goal for Parker, a 6-foot-4 and 205-pound guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is to be full-go and 100 percent on June 1, which is when Georgia will begin summer workouts. During the 2014-15 season, Parker averaged 4.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

"Really, the issue with Juwan is how much volume that Achilles tendon can handle," Fox said. "Right now, he's able to go for a full hour really hard. He looks like the old Juwan. We're kind of capping him right there and we're slowly building on that. Once we come back this summer, and hopefully by next summer, he'll be able to go two-and-a-half, three hours with no issue. He's really progressing well."

Two to play two

[jbcarol]

A look at what has happened — and what will happen — in the SEC over the next six months.

The gap between Kentucky and whoever you think will finish second in the conference is wider than the gap between that second-place team and the team destined to finish in eighth.

SEC balanced at least: And that's why I hesitate to call the conference bad. The way the league shakes out, there may not be another team capable of getting to the Sweet 16. But there are 10 other teams in the conference that could make the NCAA tournament...

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_CJ/status/735498864153743361

It's my understanding that the folks at UK didn't know what Briscoe would do until shortly before the tweet.

Briscoe, a 6-foot-3 guard and former McDonald's All-American, started 33 games as a freshman for the Wildcats last season. He averaged 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Cats will have seven six former five-star recruits on the 2016-17 roster, including five in the incoming freshman class.

At mid-season Briscoe was the worst free throw shooter in D1.  Improved his form down the stretch

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 3h3 hours ago

Isaiah Briscoe (32.2) and Derek Willis (18.6) will be UK's only returning players who averaged more than 10 minutes per game last season.

[jbcarol]

 Michael Bonner ‏@MikeBBonner 3h3 hours ago

Just spoke to Horatio Webster: "Once we meet and talk (with the coaches) the the decision will be made but right now, he's at Miss State."

HW: "We have not spoken with Ben. We don't know if Ben has the same vision as we have. We don't know if we have the same vision as Ben."