2015-16 SEC Basketball Projections

[jbcarol]

Wednesday it was tweeted by Spire Academy in Ohio that Kapita will be attending the school in 2015-16.

A final ruling has not yet been made and there's still a possibility he could end up enrolling at Arkansas after the first semester.

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 7m7 minutes ago

2016 guard Marcus Ottey (6-2, Canada) will attend Spire Institute in Ohio this year, source told @CBSSports. Was at St. Benedict's.

[jbcarol]

Jerry Tipton: Calipari suggested Saturday that the increasing international flavor of Kentucky's roster is more coincidence than conscious effort to recruit globally.

"You're recruiting guys who don't want to run from this," he said. "This is just what they want. And whether I'm from Lexington, Ky., or Toronto, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, who wants this?"

Kentucky freshmen Skal Labissiere and Jamal Murray are from Haiti and Canada, respectively. Transfer Mychal Mulder is also Canadian. Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat next to Calipari at a joint news conference Saturday, played for the Dominican Republic National Team.

Speculation has UK interested in a 7-foot native of Australia.

"It's not been by design," Calipari said. "The guys we have, I don't care where they're from. They're pretty good players."

To add to the international intrigue, Calipari mentioned a 7-foot-5 Italian who apparently was on campus recently.

"He made Karl look about 6-7," Calipari said.

To which, Towns added, "He made me look like Tyler Ulis."

[jbcarol]

Michael Bonner ‏@MikeBBonner Jul 30

USA Today ranks Malik Newman as one of the nation's best players http://on.thec-l.com/1Slul9U

USA Today ranked the top 50 players in college basketball on Thursday. Mississippi State freshman Malik Newman ranked 10th.

The Big Lead described Newman as an "Explosive combo guard with a shot to match. Instant impact player in the SEC, where he could lead the conference in scoring as a freshman."

Newman ranked as the fourth best player in the SEC and the sixth best freshman in the country, according to the Big Lead.

LSU's Ben Simmons topped the listed followed by Kentucky's Skal Labissiere and Jamal Murray.

Newman signed with Mississippi State and coach Ben Howland after winning four state championships with Callaway High School in Jackson.

[GoHogs1091]

Michael Bonner ‏@MikeBBonner Jul 30

USA Today ranks Malik Newman as one of the nation's best players http://on.thec-l.com/1Slul9U

The SEC is going to have trouble with Newman.  He is basically unguardable. 

Just will have to hope he is having an off game. 

[jbcarol]

Do you think Newman will play lead guard?

[jbcarol]

VandyMBB ‏@VandyMBB 44m44 minutes ago

Dores in at number 18 in early ESPN Top 25 poll - http://es.pn/1W1jJwj 

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

1 UK
5 LS
7 A&M
9 VU
11 UGa
12 Arkansas

First four out: State, Florida

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

1 UK
5 LS
7 A&M
9 VU
11 UGa
12 Arkansas

First four out: State, Florida

Rafay Asrar ‏@rasrar89 Aug 5

@ESPNLunardi Just curious how Purdue fell from a 4 to an 8 seed after landing a McDonald's All American and a transfer PG?

[GoHogs1091]

Do you think Newman will play lead guard?

I presume he will be their PG.  He and Sword (SG) will be a tough matchup for opposing teams.

[jbcarol]

Jon-E-A
‏@multipleof6

@JonRothstein how many teams from SEC can make big dance?
5:51 PM - 9 Aug 2015


Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 12h12 hours ago

Jon Rothstein retweeted Jon-E-A

TBD. UK, A&M, and Vandy should be in. After that is up in the air.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/632690073633427456

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/632170262885175296

[jbcarol]

Arkansas announced on Wednesday that Jacorey Williams has been dismissed from the program stemming from a series of incidents this offseason.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/634080400273448960

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/635434224758210560

With Billy Donovan now in the NBA, this league is very much still Kentucky and then everybody else. But programs in the SEC are now getting a higher caliber of player and that's going to make this a higher caliber of conference when it comes to college basketball's overall landscape.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/635860569401237504

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/ArRecruitingGuy/status/636275022567313409

[jbcarol]

Wilson Rankings: Preseason 2015-2016

Rank Seed Team
4    1    Kentucky

13    4    Florida

33    9    Arkansas

52       Mississippi*

59       Georgia*

62       Tennessee*

* among "first 12 teams which barely missed the at-large cut"

Not sure about Florida

http://bracketproject.blogspot.com

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/636871454307545088

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB/status/637349573200113664

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_CJ/status/637350019331436544

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/637309898636849152

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/637610992860590080

Played about 19-21 minutes per game

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/637978086370357248

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KySportsRadio/status/638080047891484672

[jbcarol]

https://rsnbracketology.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/rsn-2015-16-preseason-bracketology/

1. UK
6. UF
6. Ark
9. VU
10. A&M
11. UGa
11. LSU

Last 4 Byes: Ohio State, Virginia Commonwealth, Illinois, Georgia

Last 4 In:  LSU, Oregon, Stanford, Tulsa

First 4 Out:  Ole Miss, Northern Iowa, Davidson, Michigan

Next 4 Out:  Alabama, George Washington, Connecticut, South Carolina

c/o: http://bracketproject.blogspot.com/

[jbcarol]

NBC Sports: Without Kapita, Arkansas will have to rely on returning players like Moses Kingsley and Trey Thompson while graduate transfer Willy Kouassi should help as an interior defensive presence. It's going to be tough for that thin front line to help replace the production of departed SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis.

[jbcarol]

WholeHogSports ‏@wholehogsports 1h1 hour ago

Arkansas guard Anton Beard has been charged with three counts of felony forgery http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2015/sep/02/ua-guard-faces-3-forgery-counts-2015090/ ...

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria  2h2 hours ago
Kentucky, Duke 1-2 in Athlon Preseason College Hoops Poll; ACC Places Three in Top Five http://zagsblog.com/articles/kentucky-duke-1-2-in-athlon-preseason-college-hoops-poll-acc-places-three-in-top-five/ ...

15. Vanderbilt: The Commodores made a push late last season. They return everyone of note from that team, including SEC Player of the Year contender Damian Jones.

25. A&M: The Aggies return Danuel House, Alex Caruso and Jalen Jones from last year's bubble team. Billy Kennedy should have the depth to get back into the Tourney. - See more at: http://athlonsports.com/magazines/athlon-sports-2015-16-college-basketball-preseason-top-25#sthash.42BbqGU3.dpuf

[jbcarol]

Ben Garrett ‏@SpiritBen 4m4 minutes ago

#OleMiss basketball signee Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey is ineligible for the semester due to a failed test. Rebels expect him back in December.

[jbcarol]

Aaron Scharf@scharf15

@GoodmanESPN who do you think finishes 2nd in the SEC this year?

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 20h20 hours ago

Jeff Goodman retweeted Aaron Scharf

Vandy.

[jbcarol]

Michael Bonner ‏@MikeBBonner 2h2 hours ago

Breaking: @HailStateMBK freshman Aric Holman will have knee surgery and could miss up to four months http://on.thec-l.com/1UPw3MC

[jbcarol]

Kentucky, Maryland top Blue Ribbon's preseason top 25

14. Vandy

22. A&M

[jbcarol]

Jerry Tipton ‏@JerryTipton Sep 16

Blue Ribbon editor Chris Dortch said that addition of Jamal Murray made UK No. 1.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 23h23 hours ago Fort Lauderdale, FL

FYI, @BlueRibbonSport has picked Florida to finish 7th in SEC in its preseason college basketball preview.

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 5h5 hours ago

Marcus Lee has never played 20 minutes or more in a game in two years at UK. Should have a huge numbers spike in 15-16. Former McD AA.

[jbcarol]

Michael DeCourcy ‏@tsnmike 20h20 hours ago

Why is Duke ranked No. 5 by SN for the 2015-16 season? Let's start with the Devils' incredible history http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2015-09-21/sporting-news-top-10-25-college-basketball-rankings-magazine-duke ...

[jbcarol]

Ken Pomeroy ‏@kenpomeroy Sep 21 Salt Lake City, UT

If you don't have Vandy in your preseason top 25 you are probably a weirdo

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 7h7 hours ago

Predictions mixed on Gators in SEC hoops - http://brockway.blogs.gatorsports.com/13215/predictions-mixed-on-gators-in-sec/ ...

Three major college basketball preview magazines hit newsstands this week.

Two picked the Gators to finish in the middle of the pack of the SEC. One picked Florida to finish even lower than that.

Athlon magazine picked Florida to finish 5th in the SEC, while Lindy's picked Florida to finish 8th in the 14-team league. Sporting News picked Florida 11th.

Based on those projections, it's clear that first-year coach Mike White has work to do to in order to get the Gators back to the top...

[jbcarol]

Bracket Odds

2 UK
6 LSU
6 Vandy
8 Arkansas
10 A&M
11 UGa/Florida
12 Ole Miss/Tennessee

Last Four In
Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida

H/T: http://bracketproject.blogspot.com

[jbcarol]

Rob Dauster ‏@RobDauster 17h17 hours ago

Programs on the rise and the decline heading towards the 2015-16 season: http://wp.me/p1aWjM-2faa 

PROGRAMS ON THE DECLINE

Florida: Mike White is 101-40 in four years as a head coach, but the former Louisiana Tech coach will have his work cut out for him replacing Kevin Durant's new head coach...

Arkansas: Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls...

PROGRAMS ON THE RISE

A&M: Despite 21 wins, Texas A&M missed out on the NCAA tournament due to a poor finish to the regular season and lack of quality wins. That could change this year with this group in College Station. Daneul House, Jalen Jones and Alex Caruso are all back and are joined by four-star recruits Tyler Davis, D.J. Fogg, Elijah Thomas and Admon Gilder.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores ended the season as one of the nation's hottest teams, bouncing back from a 1-7 start to conference play by going 11-4 in February and March. With Damian Jones, Wade Baldwin IV and Riley LaChance all back...

more to look out for

    Boise State
    Creighton
    LSU

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 8h8 hours ago

New Story || Veterans with unfinished business, newcomers with big dreams lead reloaded 2015-16 UK basketball team: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2015/10/01/reloaded-uk-basketball-aims-to-finish-job/73128738/ ...

"Well, first of all we play positionless is what I've said this summer. We don't really – we could play with three point guards. We could play with three centers. As long as you can play basketball. And guys like Tyler and Isaiah and Jamal and those kids who are comfortable in their own skin, they're not in competition with the guy on their team. They are but they're not..."

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 21h21 hours ago

UF bk media day notes on KeVaughn Allen, slimmed down Egbunu, Kasey Hill's shot - via @Gator_sports http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20150929/ARTICLES/150929658/1136/FRONTPAGE ...

Florida's three incoming freshmen all made appearances during Tuesday's basketball media day.

But one has already made a distinct impression on UF's coaching staff.

Freshman 6-foot-2 guard KeVaughn Allen, a two-time Parade All-American from North Little Rock, Ark., is getting strong early reviews for both his scoring ability and his work ethic during preseason drills.

"KeVaughn, like a lot of guys on our roster, has a chance to start," Florida coach Mike White said. "There are a lot of spots available. Dorian Finney-Smith is going to be hard to beat out, of course.

"KeVaughn is fighting for those -- one of those wing positions. He's very talented. He's in the gym as much as anybody that we have."

Allen nearly asked to be released from his Letter of Intent when White took over for former Florida coach Billy Donovan...

[jbcarol]

Official Bracketologist for http://www.usatoday.com , http://Indystar.com , http://collegeinsider.com  & Super10 Selection Committee member:

Shelby Mast ‏@BracketWAG 12h12 hours ago

no postseason for @SMUBasketball so had to update the bracket http://www.bracketwag.com

1 UK
5 VU
6 LS
7 AM
11 UG

First 4 out -  Ohio St., N. Iowa, Providence, Davidson    
Others considered for at-large bids (no particular order) -  Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, ... Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss, ... Mississippi St.

[jbcarol]

 Sheldon Mickles ‏@MicklesAdvocate 6h6 hours ago

#LSU basketball gets rolling toward its most anticipated season in years Monday http://theadvocate.com/sports/latestsports/13613686-128/lsu-basketball-gets-rolling-toward ...

Holding 10 days of practice in early August, before a 13-day exhibition tour of Australia, was certainly advantageous to the LSU men's basketball team.

It gave the Tigers a leg up on their preparations for the 2015-16 season, which officially begins Monday with the first full-scale practice that will kick off Johnny Jones' fourth season as coach.

It's one of the most anticipated LSU seasons in years, with the addition of three of the nation's top 40 recruits —

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 8h8 hours ago

South Carolina only returns one rotation player who shot better than 36% from 3. Gamecocks have pieces & culture. Can they space floor?

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 8h8 hours ago

Great stat: Vanderbilt's Riley LaChance only had 47 TO's last season in 1,166 minutes played. That's 1 TO every 24.8 minutes. High level.

[jbcarol]

Ben Garrett ‏@SpiritBen  13h13 hours ago
Stefan Moody isn't walking, or talking, like a player who had major surgery in June. http://foxs.pt/1jJaMJk 

He showed no signs of a player coming off of surgery for a stress fracture in his left tibia in June. No limping. No slow movement. Nothing. Such surgery typically requires 2-3 months of recovery time. This was September.

Moody wasn't just right on schedule. From the way he talked, and the way he walked, the first team All-SEC selection was ahead. Good news, to say the least, for the face of Ole Miss basketball.

"I'm feeling great right now, for real," he said...

Moody played with the stress fracture all last season. Ole Miss finished 21-13, including its second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three years. Moody was the Rebels' best player. He averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists...

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 3m3 minutes ago

New Story || John Calipari's State of the BBN address in Louisville warns: "Early on, we're going to be ugly." http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2015/10/07/calipari-speaking-galt-house-louisville/73449134/ ...

"This year's team, as we speak, we stink," Calipari told a crowd of about 800 at the Galt House during Wednesday's Wildcat Tipoff Luncheon. "I said to them two days ago: 'There's one really good thing that's happening.' They said, 'What's that, Coach?' I said, 'We're not playing tomorrow, so we're OK. I'm not going to panic yet.' "

Ulis is one guy he's not worried about. After a timeshare with Andrew Harrison last season, Ulis is the unquestioned leader of these Cats –

"He's really good," Calipari said. "My other guards are underwater with that: they got more turnovers than assists. But that's OK. They're learning."

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 13h13 hours ago

Kevin Stallings told @CBSSports that this year's Vanderbilt team is the best shooting team he's ever coached -- as an assistant or HC.


Over two decades of time

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 5h5 hours ago

Danuel House was the only player on Texas A & M last season to make more than 30 3's. Opens door for freshman D.J. Hogg to emerge as sniper.

[jbcarol]

The Tennessean ‏@Tennessean 20h20 hours ago

#Vandy men's basketball @VandyMBB all grown up this season, @AdamSparks writes: http://tnne.ws/1Ooldi3 

Damian Jones is projected as a possible NBA Draft lottery pick. And Riley LaChance has some stubble on his chin.

It appears Vanderbilt's once fresh-faced basketball team is all grown up...

"We are far, far ahead of where we were a year ago, and I think that's reflected in where we are ranked and where we're picked to finish," said coach Kevin Stallings, whose team opened preseason practice last week. "... (But) there's a big difference between talking about it and doing it, so we'd rather be doers than talkers."

The Commodores return seven of their top nine players, including four starters, from a team that posted a 21-14 record and a run to the NIT quarterfinals last season. Cornell transfer Nolan Cressler also becomes eligible, giving Vanderbilt another backcourt scorer on a squad that led the SEC in 3-point shooting (39.2 percent) last season.

Most preseason publications place Vanderbilt in the top 25 and see the Commodores among the few contenders to Kentucky's throne atop the SEC. Point guard Wade Baldwin broke Vanderbilt's freshman assist record last season.

Baldwin (9.3 ppg, 4.4 ast.) and LaChance (12.3 ppg) earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season, and Jones (14.5 ppg, 6.5 reb.) was voted an All-SEC first-teamer.

Vanderbilt's returning players accounted for 82 percent of the team's points and 79 percent of game minutes last season.