SEC 13-14 Basketball Tournament Team Projections

[GoHogs1091]

Really surprised/disappointed the following didn't leave which would have really helped us out next year

Henderson- OM
Releford- Bama
Stokes- UT
O'Bryant- LSU
Poythress, Cauley-Stein, Witjer- UK
Young- UF

While we still should fare well against all but UK next year, we really would have been in prime position to be battling UF for 2nd in the SEC behind UK next year.  As it stands now Bama, LSU and UT are going to be really good along with UF and UK of course

The SEC will be very improved next season in basketball compared to this just completed season.  As of now, the following is how I see the SEC next season.

1.  Tennessee- (provided Stokes and Maymon don't get into foul trouble in games because Tennessee's front court depth won't be the greatest).

2.  Kentucky-  Will have a lot of talent.  Inexperienced talent though will cause them to lose some Conference games (particularly on the road).

3.  LSU-  Has the potential to be very good.  They will have a high quality experienced PG, and an experienced Johnny O'Bryant.

4.  Florida-  Patric Young returning for Florida was huge for Florida because their inside was going to be a definite weak area if he hadn't returned.  The only possible question mark for Florida will pertain to scoring.  Some of their new guys will have to step up in regards to scoring (to replace Rosario's, Murphy's and Boynton's scoring).

5.  Mississippi State-  Will have a lot of firepower (Sword, Thomas, Borchert, and Ware on any given night can drop 20 or more points).  Additionally with the depth that they will have next season, MSU will not be an easy matchup for opponents.  Their this past season PG, Bloodman, (who played in JUCO the season before) got a lot better towards the end of the season, but PG Jacoby Davis (who missed the entire season due to an injury) might be their PG starter this upcoming season.  Davis is more of a scorer than Bloodman.

6.  Vanderbilt-  Are returning experienced players.

7.  Hogs-  Will have to get some scoring from Harris and Portis (to replace Young's and Powell's scoring).  The PG play will also need to get a lot better, but it has the potential with Madden.  Will have to make sure that Portis and Kingsley don't get into foul trouble in games (opposing Teams may go right at them and try to get them in foul trouble and on the bench for an extended period of time). 

8.  Missouri-  Have some potentially good players to replace their players that they are losing.  Losing a lot of players though, so it will be tough to replace the scoring.

9.  Alabama-  Have some returning experienced players, but Alabama will have to get some scoring to replace Lacey's scoring.

10.  South Carolina-  Have some incoming players that are talented, but it won't be enough. 

11.  Texas A&M-  Is bringing in some talented players. 

12.  Ole Miss-  Big question marks (other than PG Jarvis Summers) around Marshall Henderson.  Summers and Henderson won't be enough for Ole Miss.

13.  Auburn-  Will have some depth, but scoring will be problematic.

14.  Georgia-  Scoring will be problematic. 

[jbcarol]

Way too analytical (?), yet early projection for the '13-14 SEC Basketball

Picks Hogs in the upper division.  Likes UK regardless of Wiggins' decision. 

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/227645/SEC-Basketball-Early-Projection

[jbcarol]

Lunardi's bracketology following the virtual end of the '13 recruiting cycle:

1 Kentucky (overall number one seed)
2 Florida
7 Bama
10 Tennessee
10 Mizzou (in last four byes)

Arkansas is included in next four out

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

[jbcarol]

Cat apparently doesn't have Kentucky basketball coach Calipari's tongue

Previews all 13 scholarship players on UK's roster for '13-14

Key Loss: Nerlens Noel, 10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.4 bpg, 2.1 spg

Losses: Archie Goodwin, 14.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.1 tpg
           Ryan Harrow,     9.9 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 tpg
           Julius Mays,        9.3 ppg, 2.9 apg
           

[jbcarol]

Top returning five by team (Kentucky):

Cauley-Stein 7-0 So F, 8.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 0.8 spg, 23.6 mpg, 62% FG%, 37% FT%

Alex Poythress 6-7 So SF, 11.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 25.8 mpg, 58% FG%, 42.4% 3P%

Kyle Wiltjer 6-10 Jr F, 10.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 23.8 mpg, 42% FG%, 36.7% 3P%, 81% FT%

Jarrod Polson, 6-2 Sr G, 3.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 13.8 mpg, 53% FG%, 72% FT%, 28.6% 3P%

Jon Hood, 6-7 RS Sr SG, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.3 spg, 6.3 mpg, 50% FG%, 40% 3P%, 100% FT%

[jbcarol]

Top five returning by team (Florida):

Patric Young  6-9 Sr. C, 10.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 0.9 spg, 26.5 mpg, 58.6% FG%, 49% FT%

Scottie Wilkebin  6-2 Sr. PG, 9.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 1.5 spg, 31.9 mpg, 45.3% FG%, 35.9% 3P%, 72.5% FT%

Casey Prather  6-6 Sr. SF, 6.2 ppg, 0.9 spg, 17.1 mpg, 62.2% FG%, 58.3% FT%

Michael Frazier II  6-2 So. SG, 5.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 18 mpg, 44.6% FG%, 46.8% 3P%, 84% FT%

Will Yeguete  6-7 Sr. PF, 5.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 spg, 21 mpg, 53% FG%, 57% FT%

[jbcarol]

Top five returning by team (Bama):

Trevor Releford  6-0 Sr. SG, 14.9 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.1 spg, 40.7% 3P%, 82.4% FT%

Trevor Lacey

Rodney Cooper  6-6 Fr. SG/F, 10.2 ppg, 28.8 mpg, 4.5 rpg, 40.1% FG%, 30.1% 3P%, 64% FT%

Levi Randolph  6-5 Jr. G, 8.1 ppg, 30 mpg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 spg, 43% FG%, 34% 3P%, 71.6% FT%

Nick Jacobs  6-8 Jr. PF, 7.6 ppg, 21 mpg, 4.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 54% FG%, 60% FT%

Devonta Pollard*  6-8 So. SF, 3.9 ppg, 18 mpg, 3.1 rpg, 37% FG%, 12.5% 3P%, 61.4% FT%

*Pollard is pending legal issues

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (Vols):

Jordan McRae  6-5 Sr G, 15.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 bpg, 0.8 spg, 42.3% FG%, 35.5% 3P%, 77% FT%

Jarnell Stokes  6-8 Jr PF, 12.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 28.8 mpg, 0.7 spg, 52.8% FG%, 56.7% FT%

Josh Richardson  6-6 Jr G, 7.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 1.1 spg, 47% FG%, 21.4% 3P%, 69.2% FT%

Jeronne Maymon  6-7 PF, 12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1 spg, 55.8% FG%, 65.8% FT%, 28 mpg
('11-12 stats for Maymon out injured in '12-13)

Derek Reese  6-8 G, 3.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 13.6 mpg, 38.8% FG%, 32.3% 3P%, 66.7% FT%

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (Mizzou):

Jabari  6-5 Jr G, 13.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 40.4% FG%, 36.6% 3P%, 78.5% FT%

Earnest Ross  6-5 Sr G, 10.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 25.3 mpg, 1.2 spg, 41.3% FG%, 37.7% 3P%, 71% FT%

Tony Criswell  6-9 Sr F, 5.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 18.8 mpg, 44.4% FG%, 61% FT%

Stefan Jankovic  6-11 So F, 3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 8 mpg, 36.5% FG%, 90% FT%

Ryan Rosburg  6-10 So F, 1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 7 mpg, 40.7% FG%, 57% FT%

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (Vandy):

Kedren Johnson  6-4 Jr G, 13.5 ppg, 3.6 apg, 40.8% FG%, 35% 3P%, 72.3% FT%

Rod Odom  6-9 Sr F, 10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 36.5% FG%, 35.3% 3P%

Kyle Fuller  6-1 Sr G, 8.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, 26 mpg, 38.7% FG%, 27% 3P%

Dai-Jon Parker  6-3 Jr G, 7.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 28.5 mpg, 41.4% FG%, 39.7% 3P%

Kevin Bright  6-5 So G, 6.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 29.3 mpg, 41% FG%, 40.6% 3P%, 58.8% FT%

[jbcarol]

Scott Carter ‏@GatorZoneScott 3h
#Gators point guard Scottie Wilbekin suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules. Wilbekin averaged 9.1 points, 5 assists as junior.

[jbcarol]

The suspension, announced by the school via Twitter, is Wilbekin's second in the span of seven months. Last November, Wilbekin sat out three games (two that counted and the canceled Florida-Georgetown game on the USS Bataan) for violation of team rules.

Florida declined to give the reason for the suspension. Florida coach Billy Donovan also declined Monday further comment on Wilbekin's status.

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20130610/ARTICLES/130619988/1056/gatorsbasketball

Donovan has 5-star point guard Kasey Hill.

[GatorsGators]

Bad Wilbekin

[Brass Knob]

Good timing for Florida. He will have completed all necessary steps to be fully reinstated before the season actually starts, or he will just sit for a couple of exhibition games...

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (Ole Miss)

Marshall  6-2 Sr G, 20.1 ppg, 1.3 spg, 38% FG%, 35% 3P%, 88.3% FT%
Jarvis Summers  6-3 Jr G, 9.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 40% FG%, 34% 3P%
Ladarius White  6-6 Jr G, 6.4 ppg, 3 rpg, 20 mpg, 40% FG% 35% 3P%
Millinghaus  5-10 So G, 5.3 ppg, 1.8 apg, 0.8 spg, 14 mpg, 34% FG%, 32% 3P%
Aaron Jones  6-9 So F, 3.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 17 mpg, 55.6% FG%
DeMarco Cox  6-8 Sr C, injured for most of '12-13

[jbcarol]

With the recent indefinite suspension of Florida point guard Scottie Wilbekin, it would be easy to assume Braxton Ogbueze is kicking himself.

After all, had Ogbueze stayed at Florida for his sophomore season, he could have been in line to compete for the starting point guard job to start the 2013-14 season.

But according to Ogbueze's older bother, Klem, Braxton is doing just fine.

"He doesn't regret it," Klem Ogbueze said. "He's looking forward, not back. As a family, we look forward."

Ogbueze left UF at the end of his freshman season due to lack of playing time and has ended up closer to home at UNC Charlotte.  A Charlotte, N.C., native, Ogbueze played sparingly behind Wilbekin and Kenny Boynton at point guard as a freshman.

Klem Ogbueze said he doesn't think Wilbekin's suspension would have made a difference for his brother's chances at UF coming into this season. Wilbekin also was suspended for the first two regular season games of 2012-13 for an unspecified violation of team rules.

"When Scottie got busted last year, Braxton still didn't get an opportunity," Klem Ogbueze said. "Maybe (incoming freshman) Kasey Hill will get his chance."

Klem said his brother can use the year off to get stronger and excel for Charlotte.

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (LSU)

JOB III (Catfish)  6-9 Jr. PF, 13.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 29 mpg, 48% FG%, 59.6% FT%
Anthony Hickey  5-11 Jr. PG, 11.2 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.9 spg, 38.6% FG%, 32.8% 3P%, 44.4% FT%
Shavon Coleman  6-5 Sr. F, 10.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.4 spg, 28 mpg, 44.7% FG%, 30.2% 3P%
Andre Stringer  5-9 Sr. G, 10.4 ppg, 2.1 apg, 39.6% FG%, 41% 3P%
Malik Morgan  6-4 So. G, 5.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 18 mpg, 41% FG%, 33.8% 3P%

[jbcarol]

Suspended guard Scottie Wilbekin has work to do to get back in the good graces with the Florida basketball program.

Florida coach Billy Donovan wouldn't disclose why Wilbekin was suspended, but sounded upset with his returning starting point guard. Wilbekin was suspended last week for a violation of team rules. It's the second suspension for Wilbekin since November, when the Gainesville native sat out three games (two that counted and the suspended Florida-Georgetown game on the USS Bataan) for an undisclosed team rules violation.

"Right now, he needs to prove that he wants to be part of the team and that this is what he wants to do," Donovan said Monday.

Wilbekin is barred from the Florida basketball practice facility until the suspension is lifted. The rising senior guard averaged 9.1 points, was second in the SEC in assists (5.0 per game) and was named to the All-SEC defensive team in his first season as a starter.

"He has to take care of responsibilities" Donovan said. "At this point, I don't really want to address any more about his status until the season starts in October. Hopefully, this is something he can learn from."

Wilbekin is a local high school player who moved up his graduation to get an early start at Florida.

[jbcarol]

Top five returning by team (Bama):

Trevor Releford  6-0 Sr. SG, 14.9 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.1 spg, 40.7% 3P%, 82.4% FT%

Trevor Lacey

Rodney Cooper  6-6 Fr. SG/F, 10.2 ppg, 28.8 mpg, 4.5 rpg, 40.1% FG%, 30.1% 3P%, 64% FT%

Levi Randolph  6-5 Jr. G, 8.1 ppg, 30 mpg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 spg, 43% FG%, 34% 3P%, 71.6% FT%

Nick Jacobs  6-8 Jr. PF, 7.6 ppg, 21 mpg, 4.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 54% FG%, 60% FT%

Devonta Pollard*  6-8 So. SF, 3.9 ppg, 18 mpg, 3.1 rpg, 37% FG%, 12.5% 3P%, 61.4% FT%

*Pollard is pending legal issues

With Pollard out and Lacey heading to NC State, let's add:

Retin Obasohan  6-1 So. G, 3.9 ppg, 13 mpg, 37.4% FG%, 28.6% 3P%

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (Vols):

Jordan McRae  6-5 Sr G, 15.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 bpg, 0.8 spg, 42.3% FG%, 35.5% 3P%, 77% FT%

Jarnell Stokes  6-8 Jr PF, 12.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 28.8 mpg, 0.7 spg, 52.8% FG%, 56.7% FT%

Josh Richardson  6-6 Jr G, 7.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 1.1 spg, 47% FG%, 21.4% 3P%, 69.2% FT%

Jeronne Maymon  6-7 PF, 12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1 spg, 55.8% FG%, 65.8% FT%, 28 mpg
('11-12 stats for Maymon out injured in '12-13)

Derek Reese  6-8 G, 3.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 13.6 mpg, 38.8% FG%, 32.3% 3P%, 66.7% FT%

Vol Newcomers:

Robert Hubbs, Darius Thompson and A.J. Davis comprise Martin's most impressive freshman class in his three recruiting seasons at UT.

A fourth signee, junior college transfer Pops Ndiaye, also is playing at Rocky Top. The fifth newcomer, Antonio Barton, is finishing up his degree at the University of Memphis.

I mention grinding to say that UT's newcomers understand what they signed on for. They get that Martin won't roll the ball out there and say, "Go hang a hundred on 'em.''

Hubbs is the second ranked SG in the nation.

Thompson is a 3-star SG.

Davis is a 3-star SF.

Pops is a 2-star C.

Barton is the Memphis transfer guard.

[jbcarol]

ESPN's Myron Metcalf and Eamonn Brennan analyze Kentucky and the impact of one-n-dones

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9408300/meeting-watercooler-discuss-kentucky-basketball

[jbcarol]

Yes, Ole Miss does return Marshall Henderson for next season.

But no one will pay attention in February and March if Ole Miss is not relevant, and being so depends on coach Andy Kennedy replacing Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner. The program's alltime leading rebounder and shot-blocker, respectively, were so vital to the team's success. Holloway was a walking double-double and emotional building block, while Buckner finally deciding to just play coincided with the team winning the SEC championship and a NCAA Tournament game. This is not coincidence.

Junior Aaron Jones and redshirt junior Demarco Cox both missed the NCAA Tournament after an ACL tear and a foot stress fracture, respectively.

They'll be helped by Terry Brutus, who was pressed into duty after Jones' injury, and two freshmen, Sebastian Saiz and Dwight Coleby. Saiz might be the more college-ready of the two...

With Henderson, point guard Jarvis Summers and wing LaDarius "Snoop" White all returning, Ole Miss is likely to be a perimeter-based team offensively.

DeMarco Cox used to be included as a four-star in the Ole Miss football recruiting stats to give Nutt's classes a boost.

[jbcarol]

UK without Wiltjer — a 6-foot-10 forward — was not expected to start for the star-studded 2013-14 Wildcats, but he would have been a main contributor off the bench.

With Wiltjer gone, UK's rotation next season will probably look something like this ...

Starters
Harrison twins
Poythress
Randle
Cauley-Stein
Bench
Young
Johnson
Lee
Willis
Polson
Hood
Hawkins

The departure of Wiltjer would leave the Cats lacking in a couple of areas.

No. 1: Consistent three-point shooting...

No. 2: Veteran leadership...

With Wiltjer out, the only player on the team who actually made a field goal during UK's title season will be Sam Malone, who had six points on three field goals in 2011-12.

Cheers.

[msudawgs64]

hey jbcarol..our top 5 returning should be easy to list...Ha 

[jbcarol]

hey jbcarol..our top 5 returning should be easy to list...Ha 

I keep listing top fives and guys keep transferring, getting arrested in kidnapping cases ...

[msudawgs64]

I keep listing top fives and guys keep transferring, getting arrested in kidnapping cases ...

glad Pollard opted for Alabama instead of us..whew.

[jbcarol]

Calipari compares his 2014 team to his 2010 team (John Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Patterson, Dodson/Miller, BCG holdovers). Will now do so without Wiltjer.

Expectations will be high for Kentucky as we near the start of the 2013-14 season. Probably ridiculously high, actually. But when you add six McDonald's All-Americans to a roster that returns former McDonald's All-Americans like Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein, people tend to demand championships.

"I compare this team more to our team my first year (2010) than I compare them to the 2012 team," Calipari said. "This will be probably a team that won't be a great, great execution team, because there's so many new guys like our first team, yet a team that physically can do things – athletically, physically, skill-wise – to beat teams even though they're not the greatest execution team."

This Kentucky team in 2013-14 will certainly have the talent — and unlike last season, the depth — to compete for a national championship but it will likely all depend on how all of that talent co-exists and plays as a team.

[jbcarol]

Cherry Picking info from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

By the Numbers

60- The number of 2013 SEC recruits
12- The number of five-star SEC recruits
11- The number of four-star SEC recruits
22- The number of states represented by SEC recruits
11- The number of SEC recruits from Texas (state with the most SEC recruits)

Biggest sleeper: Moses Kingsley, Arkansas

Kentucky and Auburn have eight newcomers each. Seven of Auburn's recruits would be included in the 60 total plus all eight of Kentucky's.

[jbcarol]

"I can't imagine anybody else being picked No. 1 in the country than Duke," NC State and former Bama coach Mark Gottfried said.

[jbcarol]

Cherry Picking from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

Rankings

1. Kentucky (No. 1 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Julius Randle, PF, Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian

2. LSU (No. 5 247 Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Jarell Martin, PF, Tallulah (La.) Madison

3. Florida (No. 15 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Chris Walker, PF, Bonifay (Fla.) Holmes Co.

4. Missouri (No. 16 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Johnathan Williams III, PF, Memphis (Tenn.) Southwind

5. Arkansas (No. 21 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Bobby Portis, PF, Little Rock (Ark.) Hall

Biggest sleeper: Moses Kingsley, Arkansas

[chiefhawg]

Cherry Picking from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

Rankings

1. Kentucky (No. 1 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Julius Randle, PF, Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian

2. LSU (No. 5 247 Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Jarell Martin, PF, Tallulah (La.) Madison

3. Florida (No. 15 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Chris Walker, PF, Bonifay (Fla.) Holmes Co.

4. Missouri (No. 16 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Johnathan Williams III, PF, Memphis (Tenn.) Southwind

5. Arkansas (No. 21 247Composite team ranking)
Top Player- Bobby Portis, PF, Little Rock (Ark.) Hall

Biggest sleeper: Moses Kingsley, Arkansas

So Jarell Martin is from the same town as Anthony Lucas. It would have been nice if Luke could have steered him our way. But oh well,

[jbcarol]

Cherry picking info from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

Overview

... LSU has both quality and quantity in its six-man recruiting class. Jarell Martin is a five-star forward while Jordan Mickey and Tim Quarterman are four-star prospects....

Florida doesn't have a large class, but most importantly the Gators snagged top targets and top 10 prospects- point guard Kasey Hill and post player Chris Walker [a source is claiming Walker will be ineligible academically and may pursue the D League]....

Missouri landed a trio of four-star prospects, led by recent state champion Johnathan Williams III....

A dynamic interior duo - five-star Bobby Portis and four-star Moses Kingsley – are headed to Arkansas....

Tennessee has big hopes for five-star wing Robert Hubbs....

South Carolina has a lot riding on the abilities of five-star guard Sindarius Thornwell....

Alabama needed more interior depth, and they secured it with four-star center Jimmie Taylor and four-star power forward Shannon Hale.

[jbcarol]

Eli Carter's decision to transfer from Rutgers to Florida seemed to solve a major issue for a team losing its top three scorers, including guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario.

But with the fall semester closing in on Aug. 21, Carter and the Gators still are waiting to see whether he will be eligible to play this season.

Carter, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard who averaged 14.9 points last season, plans to seek a waiver that would allow him to play for UF next season rather than sit out one season under NCAA transfer rules.

Donovan said Carter has yet to file an appeal with his former school.

"That's really more right now in Rutgers' hands," Donovan said. "He's got to obviously apply for that. He's got to go through writing a letter and then the letter's got to be submitted to Rutgers. Rutgers has got to also submit a letter. But really the people that help in all that is Rutgers, however they want to handle the situation.

"I have not been in contact with them at all. I've really just stayed out of it. It's something that him and his family needs to do."


As two of Florida's frontcourt veterans recover from offseason surgeries, coach Billy Donovan is hoping one incoming freshman's academic status will also see improvement this summer.

With 43 days left before UF's fall semester begins, Gators signee Chris Walker is still working on meeting the NCAA's eligibility requirements to enroll at Florida. A 6-foot-10 McDonald's All-American, Walker has been taking online courses this summer but needs a 2.6 GPA to gain admission.

"I haven't heard anything back yet," Donovan said Wednesday. "Obviously, he's not here in Summer B. He's still working towards finishing up. However long that's going to take I'm not sure, because he's going to have to go through the (NCAA) Clearinghouse and still get cleared."

[jbcarol]

6-4 sophomore point guard Eric McClellan will have an opportunity to play significant minutes for Vanderbilt.

McClellan was one of the top freshmen in Conference USA in 2012 after averaging 8.5 points at Tulsa.

How much playing time McClellan gets has not been determined. Junior Kedren Johnson, the team's leader in scoring (13.5) and assists (3.6) last year, will be the starting point guard, and senior Kyle Fuller will get significant playing time as well at guard.

The coaching staff is still working on developing the best gameplan for the different guards. Stallings said they may use two point guards again.

"It makes practice sessions and everything more competitive," Stallings said. "It's the best way to hold guys' feet to the fire if you will, in terms of their concentration and focus and their effort and intensity."

[jbcarol]

As the basis for coach Johnny Jones' first full LSU recruiting class, Jarrell Martin and his fellow newcomers understand what they have been tasked with doing.

"I decided to stay at home and be close to my family," Martin said Wednesday, as he and three teammates met the media for the first time. "My mom is a single parent at home, so I decided to stay with her. I wanted to bring the legacy back that LSU had when Shaq was here."

That is what Martin, Darcy Malone, Tim Quarterman and John Odo, along with the rest of Jones' recruiting class, will be asked to do, as the Tigers enter the second season of the Jones era. Last season produced a 19-12 record, while Jones' recruiting efforts have spiked hope for the program's future.

Landing Martin, Louisiana's top prospect in the Class of 2013, was key for Jones, who has a decorated history as a recruiter.

"When coach went out and recruited Jordan Mickey and Tim Quarterman, I felt that he was really trying to do something," said Martin, a product of Baton Rouge's Madison Prep. "He said all he needed was another big piece, and I was the piece that was missing."

The additions of Martin and Odo, both 6-foot-9, and Malone, a 7-footer, should provide the Tigers with size and quality depth in the front court.

Quarterman, meanwhile, is a versatile 6-6 guard who was Georgia's Class 3A State Player of the Year...

[jbcarol]

ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman broke the news that Jordan Mickey, an LSU signee, and Karviar Shepherd, a TCU signee, were ruled non-qualifiers by the NCAA...

Mickey and Shepherd both played at Deion Sanders' charter school, Prime Prep, in Dallas.

[jbcarol]

Cherry picking info from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

Accolades

Best perimeter scorer: Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
Best low post scorer: Julius Randle, Kentucky
Best passer: Andrew Harrison, Kentucky
Best shooter: Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
Best rebounder: Julius Randle, Kentucky
Best shot blocker: Marcus Lee, Kentucky
Best defender: Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina
Most versatile: James Young, Kentucky
Best in the clutch: Andrew Harrison, Kentucky
Best pro prospect: Julius Randle, Kentucky
Best speed: Kasey Hill, Florida
Best motor: Chris Walker, Florida
Impact player: Jarell Martin, LSU
Biggest sleeper: Moses Kingsley, Arkansas

Chris Walker is not expected to be eligible.

An exhaustive list of categories needs one to recognize Portis and Johnson -- not because everyone needs a trophy.

[mizzouman]

Top Five Returning by Team (Mizzou):

Jabari  6-5 Jr G, 13.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 40.4% FG%, 36.6% 3P%, 78.5% FT%

Earnest Ross  6-5 Sr G, 10.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 25.3 mpg, 1.2 spg, 41.3% FG%, 37.7% 3P%, 71% FT%

Tony Criswell  6-9 Sr F, 5.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 18.8 mpg, 44.4% FG%, 61% FT%

Stefan Jankovic  6-11 So F, 3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 8 mpg, 36.5% FG%, 90% FT%

Ryan Rosburg  6-10 So F, 1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 7 mpg, 40.7% FG%, 57% FT%

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/miss/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/201314MBBProspectus.pdf

[jbcarol]

Cherry picking info from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

by Position

Point Guard- Andrew Harrison (No. 1 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Shooting Guard- Aaron Harrison (No. 1 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Small Forward- James Young (No. 4 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Power Forward- Julius Randle (No. 1 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Center- Dakari Johnson (No. 1 nationally, signed to Kentucky)


For fourth time in five recruiting classes, Calipari fails to land the top SF.

[RyeHogFan]

Cherry picking info from Jerry Meyer's 247 SEC Hoops Recruiting Breakdown

by Position

Point Guard- Andrew Harrison (No. 1 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Shooting Guard- Aaron Harrison (No. 1 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Small Forward- James Young (No. 4 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Power Forward- Julius Randle (No. 1 nationally, signed with Kentucky)

Center- Dakari Johnson (No. 1 nationally, signed to Kentucky)


For fourth time in five recruiting classes, Calipari fails to land the top SF.

Haha! That's funny right there!

[jbcarol]

Pre-Business Major Payne is Auburn's only returning starter with the dismissal of Shaq

HOOVER — Auburn men's basketball suffered yet another devastating personnel blow as sophomore guard Shaq Johnson was dismissed for what the school called a "violation of team rules" shortly after being arrested late Wednesday night for possession of marijuana.

Johnson was charged with second-degree possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, following a traffic stop by Auburn police officer Robert Franklinjust (sic) before midnight Wednesday...

"We hold our student-athletes to a high standard at Auburn University in the way that they conduct themselves off the court," Auburn coach Tony Barbee said. "I am very disappointed in Shaq's choices and actions, and they won't be tolerated."

Auburn already has lost leading scorer Frankie Sullivan, leading rebounder Rob Chubb and starting point guard Josh Wallace to graduation [or better said, end of athletic eligibility]. With the loss of Johnson, only forward Allen Payne returns from last season's starting lineup.

[jbcarol]

Dan Cross was the starting point guard on Florida's first Final Four team 1994.

And he wasn't shy about offering perspective why Florida has struggled mightily in close games in each of the last two seasons.

"The point guard a lot of times is the difference," Cross said. "And making the decisions, if you will have the ball in your hands or get the ball in the right person's hands ... that critical decision making a lot of times makes or breaks games.

"It's the free throws at the end of games, when the free-throw is in the hands of the point guard. I believe that kind of leadership has been lacking the last few years."

But Cross is confident that help is on the way. Living in Orlando, Cross has watched incoming freshman point guard Kasey Hill extensively throughout his high school career. He thinks the McDonald's All-American can be the answer help solve UF's recent close-game woes.

"He has the potential to have that quality type of relationship, that type of demand that's put on a point guard," Cross said. "I just believe (Florida coach) Billy (Donovan) hasn't been able to find that the last few years. But a guy like Kasey Hill, that kind of commands and controls the pace of the game ... anytime you have that type of point guard who can control what's going on, his upside is very good."

http://brockway.blogs.gatorsports.com/12121/cross-blames-pg-leadership-for-close-losses

[jbcarol]

Every season, teams step up and step back. Who will those be in 2013-14? Let's look at 10 of each. King: Risers » Medcalf: Fallers

Only in today's age of one-and-done -- and, perhaps, only at Kentucky -- could a team go from losing to Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT to winning the NCAA title the following season.

But that will be the expectation in Lexington.

6. LSU: The Tigers have been to the NCAA tournament just once since 2006, but could make an appearance in 2014 thanks to the return of several key players and a huge addition down low.

4. Tennessee: The Volunteers barely missed out on the NCAA tournament last season -- mainly because of some key losses early in SEC play, where they dropped four of their first six games... The frontcourt should be loaded with Jarnell Stokes, who averaged 12.4 points per game last year, and Jeronne Maymon, who averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds two years ago before missing last season with an injury. Incoming freshman Robert Hubbs should give the Vols a boost at small forward, and leading scorer Jordan McRae (15.7 PPG) returns at shooting guard. Point guard Trae Golden was dismissed from the team during the offseason, but Tennessee should be fine at that position with either Antonio Barton, a Memphis transfer, or freshman Darius Thompson.

1. Kentucky: The haul includes five players (Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, Dakari Johnson and James "JT" Young) ranked among the nation's top-10 prospects by ESPN.com. The question is whether the young Wildcats will jell and, if so, how quickly. Kentucky, which also returns potential lottery picks Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein...

The SEC had no teams in the top 10 potential "tumblers" from where they were last season. It helps for many to not have been so high.

[jbcarol]

Haith sounded just as upbeat about the Tigers' prospects in the 2013-14 season, even though they'll be working with a new core of players after losing star point guard Phil Pressey and the starting frontcourt tandem of Laurence Bowers and Alex Oriakhi.

NCAA rules installed last year that allow coaches to work with their players on a limited basis during summer school have helped him gauge the group's potential and get a better sense of how the pieces — including four freshmen and a junior college transfer, Keanau Post — will fit together.

Haith said. "I think this team works hard. I think we've got some toughness about us, which I like. And I think we've got some firepower. I think Jordan Clarkson, Jabari Brown and Earnest Ross can all go for 30. They can have a night where they can get 30 points. When you've got three guys like that on your team, that's pretty good."

He knows full well that the biggest question marks surrounding his third season in Columbia are in the frontcourt and that they can't really start to be answered until the Tigers open practice in late September — an earlier start than previous years thanks to an NCAA rule change passed in May. But Haith is confident he will have solutions once the season gets underway.

"We've got a lot of bodies," he said. "Those guys haven't done it yet, but talent-wise, they're pretty good. Keanau Post is pretty doggone good. Tony Criswell's a proven guy, who played in this league last year. Stefan" Jankovic "and Johnathan Williams III "have had tremendous summers, both those guys. Torren Jones is a tremendous athlete and strong and physical. I love what he brings. ... There aren't going to be many people that push him around. You like having a guy like that on your team that ain't afraid. He has no fear whatsoever. When we compete, he throws his nose and goes after it. And Ryan Rosburg who's coming back. You've got six guys who all can play in there. I've got to believe we're going to find enough in there to be competitive, to get what we want to get out of them."

Haith's NCAA issues from his time at Miami are still on pending and continue to be delayed.

[jbcarol]

ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman broke the news that Jordan Mickey, an LSU signee, and Karviar Shepherd, a TCU signee, were ruled non-qualifiers by the NCAA...

Mickey and Shepherd both played at Deion Sanders' charter school, Prime Prep, in Dallas.

Eligibility Center slips Jones a Mickey

On July 11, the NCAA refused to certify the 6-foot-7, 195-pound swingman Jordan Mickey out of Dallas after questions arose over whether his schoolwork at Prime Prep satisfied core course requirements, but that changed when LSU coach Johnny Jones passed along word Mickey — a four-star prospect — was good to go.

"I wasn't' really worried from that standpoint," said James Wright, who noted his son carries a 3.6 cumulative grade point average.

"Goodman premature again."

-- wife

On a separate note, Goodman was too early to be definitive that LSU would not find a way to get a player from Deion Sander's school eligible, especially with a 3.6.

[jbcarol]

Top Five Returning by Team (Vandy):

Kedren Johnson  6-4 Jr G, 13.5 ppg, 3.6 apg, 40.8% FG%, 35% 3P%, 72.3% FT%

Rod Odom  6-9 Sr F, 10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 36.5% FG%, 35.3% 3P%

Kyle Fuller  6-1 Sr G, 8.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, 26 mpg, 38.7% FG%, 27% 3P%

Dai-Jon Parker  6-3 Jr G, 7.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 28.5 mpg, 41.4% FG%, 39.7% 3P%

Kevin Bright  6-5 So G, 6.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 29.3 mpg, 41% FG%, 40.6% 3P%, 58.8% FT%

Vanderbilt junior point guard and leading scorer Kedren Johnson confirmed today that he is no longer with the basketball team or enrolled in school.

During a brief conversation, Johnson said that the matter is related to "student conduct"...

[jbcarol]

The losses [starters Johnson and Bright], coupled with the earlier transfers of freshmen Sheldon Jeter and A.J. Astroth, leave Stallings with just nine scholarship players and two walk-ons as the Commodores prepare for a 10-day, four-game trip to Greece and Italy that begins on Aug. 10.

Forward Rod Odom (10.4 points per game) and guard Kyle Fuller (8.7 ppg) return for their senior seasons. Junior shooting guard and defensive specialist Dai-Jon Parker is also back after averaging 7.2 points and emerging into a 3-point threat after he was suspended for eight games.

In the post — a glaring weakness last year, Josh Henderson (5.4 ppg) and Shelby Moats (3.0) hope to receive some immediate help from freshman Damian Jones.

In addition, guard Eric McClellan is eligible after sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules. As a freshman at Tulsa in 2011-12, he averaged 8.5 points and 2.2 assists in 16 starts.

Stallings claims he is not on a hot seat and does not claim this to be another rebuilding year.

[jbcarol]

Having made three straight appearances in the Elite Eight the goal is a simple one for Billy Donovan's program: take the next step and reach the Final Four for the first time since 2007.

The Gators lost three senior contributors from last season's team (Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy and Mike Rosario), but the combination of returnees and newcomers has many expecting Florida to be one of the favorites (with Kentucky) to win the SEC.

Patric Young, who may be "pound for pound" the strongest man in college basketball, returns along with classmate Casey Prather and USA U-19 gold medalist Michael Frazier II. Florida adds one of the nation's best freshmen in point guard Kasey Hill, and transfers Dorian Finney-Smith (Virginia Tech) and Damontre Harris (South Carolina) give the Gators two interior contributors with prior Division I experience.

But for all of Florida's talent there are some question marks.

What will the statuses of guard Scottie Wilbekin (suspension) and Will Yeguete (knee surgery) be when practices officially begin in October? Will the NCAA approve Rutgers transfer Eli Carter's request to be granted immediate eligibility? And there's also the unresolved status of freshman big man Chris Walker, who also arrives in Gainesville amidst high praise but has some academic issues to take care of as well.

Four players in flux at Florida.

Also at the link is a video of the Gators' off-season strength and conditioning program.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN
Trying to put together SEC Hoops Preseason Power Rankings for Monday. Top 3 fairly easy, then it gets difficult from there.

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 2h
@KySportsRadio Yeah. Gotta go with the Vols as the clear-cut No. 3 team -- especially with Hubbs coming in.

[jbcarol]

With Rodney Cooper leading the way, the Alabama basketball team opened its five-game trip in Europe with an 85-67 victory over the Meppel Red Giants on Saturday in The Netherlands.

The junior guard scored a team-high 18 points. Junior forward Nick Jacobs and senior guard Trevor Releford added 15 points each. Junior guard Levi Randolph and sophomore guard Retin Obasohan each scored 10 points. Randolph also had seven assists to go with six rebounds.

Bama's 10-day trip continues with a game against Gembo at 1 p.m. CDT game Monday in Belgium.