SEC 13-14 Basketball Tournament Team Projections

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ  5m
FINAL: Kentucky 75, Michigan 72. The Cats are going to the Final Four.

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ  4m
Kentucky becomes the fifth No. 8 seed to reach a Final Four since expansion to 64 teams in 1985. The 16th FF for UK.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops ·20m
Florida enters its Final Four matchup with Connecticut this week as a 7-point favorite.

[jbcarol]

Will Watson ‏@will_watson ·17 hrs
@cbahn: #SEC in Final Four 10 of last 20 seasons. Last non-UK/Florida team was LSU in '06 and before that Mississippi State in 1996.


Whiffed on Arkansas in 1995 with the last 20 seasons deal (technically the '94 teams would be 21 seasons ago).

[jbcarol]

Jody Demling ‏@jdemling ·6 hrs
Pitino predicts Florida and Kentucky in title game.

[jbcarol]

Gatorsports.com ‏@Gator_sports ·18h
Florida looks to avenge December loss to UConn in Final Four http://bit.ly/1fhfGHN

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops ·14 hrs
According to Latest Line, Florida has dropped to a 6.5-point favorite against Connecticut.

@kntaylor15 was at 7 yesterday.

@ArmonJadidian Kentucky a 1.5-point favorite.

[jbcarol]

David Jones ‏@DaveJonesUFbeat ·Mar 31
This is the fourth time since 1994 the SEC has half the Final Four teams, first time since '06 (LSU, #Gators).

[jbcarol]

Pat Dooley ‏@pat_dooley ·17h
I think I have "Florida starting four seniors" fatigue. Any team in America could start four seniors. Theirs just happen to be really good.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ ·Apr 1
Calipari still floating faint possibility WCS plays but talks like that's highly unlikely. Official diagnosis: "his ankle hurts."

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  2h
Florida's bigs also have big hearts: Florida seniors Will Yeguete and Patric Young have forged a special frien... http://bit.ly/1edwpYX

...dship

[jbcarol]

#GatorMadness ‏@ItsGreatUF ·2h
Patric Young in 5 years? pic.twitter.com/lG9RsKfudN

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops ·4 hrs
Billy D on non-conference losses at Wisconsin, at UConn "I think it helped us grow as a team."

[jbcarol]

Victories over Wisconsin on Saturday and Florida on Monday would do more than make Kentucky national champion. UK could also claim the toughest path to a national championship since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Given Wisconsin and Florida as Final Four opponents, the cumulative total of the seeds Kentucky defeated in this year's NCAA Tournament would be 19. The existing record is 20, set by Villanova in 1985. Coincidentally, Villanova was an 8-seed, the worst seeding for a champion. Kentucky can match that mark, too.To get to the Final Four, Kentucky beat 9-seed Kansas State, 1-seed Wichita State, 4-seed Louisville and 2-seed Michigan. Wisconsin is a 2-seed. Florida is the tournament's overall No.1 seed.

"We got here through an absolute mine field," UK Coach John Calipari said Thursday, "and happened to not step on a mine. I don't even know what to call it what we just went through."Wichita State (35-0), Louisville (31-5) and Michigan (28-8) had a combined won-loss record of 94-13 going into games against Kentucky. Earlier in the week, Calipari said the Cats went through a "gauntlet" to get to the Final Four.

http://www.kentucky.com/2014/04/03/3177737/if-the-cats-win-ninth-title-theyll.html

Real Jerry Tipton

[jbcarol]

Matt Stone ‏@mattstonephotog ·21 hrs
Kentucky's John Calipari smiles as Wisconsin's Bo Ryan talks about "one-and-dones." #bbn pic.twitter.com/aexbeyBNC4

[jbcarol]

Not Jerry Tipton ‏@NotJerryTipton ·4 hrs
Record in the 2014 NCAA Tournament

ACC: 4-5

Big 12: 6-7

Pac 12: 8-6

Big Ten: 10-5

AAC: 7-3

...SEC: 11-1

#FootballConference

[jbcarol]

David Jones ‏@DaveJonesUFbeat ·1 hr
Donovan said 4 seniors "will go down as good a collection guys as we've had." #Gators

[jbcarol]

Cuonzo Martin ‏@CuonzoMartin ·4h
Tennessee is one of just 13 schools to reach at least four Sweet 16s since 2007.

[jbcarol]

NCAA March Madness ‏@marchmadness  18h
The Wildcats beat 3 teams from last year's #FinalFour on the way to North Texas: http://oak.ctx.ly/r/virt  pic.twitter.com/jw5EyCjn7E

[jbcarol]

NCAA March Madness ‏@marchmadness  19h
The Gators have pulled away at the end of each game en route to the #FinalFour: http://oak.ctx.ly/r/vi7v  pic.twitter.com/KHlDdTuZ5m

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  15h
Billy D says Scottie "won't be on an island by himself guarding Napier. It's got to be a team effort."

Working on story on UF's physicality v. UConn. At C, Young (240) more than 28 lbs heavier than UConn c Phillip Nolan (212).

At power forward spot, Will Yeguete (230), 35 pounds heavier than UConn pf DeAndre Daniels (195).

[jbcarol]

David Jones ‏@DaveJonesUFbeat  1h
Distributors of Final Four souvenirs had to pull shot glasses. #Florida did not want logo on them because it is tied in w/alcohol. Gators

[jbcarol]

ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo  37m
A national championship would give Florida 38 wins this season – tying them with 2011-12 Kentucky for most all-time in D-I

[jbcarol]

ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo  11m
This was the 4th game this season in which Florida had single-digit assists and double-digit turnovers. The Gators went 1-3 in those games.

Final  UConn 63  Florida 53

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  22m
Curse of AT&T Stadium -- last year, it was Erik Murphy and Michael Frazier w/stomach flu. This year Wilbekin w/cramping.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ  6m
They did it again. FINAL: Kentucky 74, Wisconsin 73. Final Badgers shot rimmed out. Cats will play for the national title Monday night.

[jbcarol]

John Clay ‏@johnclayiv  1m
Connecticut 60, Kentucky 54. Here's final box

Kentucky finished 13-of-24 at foul line. Connecticut 10-for-10.

[jbcarol]

NCAA Tournament Conference Record for Conferences with at least 3 Bids by %

SEC ............ 12-3
American ..  9-3
B1G ............ 10-5
Pac-12 .......  8-6
ACC ............  6-6
Big 12 ........ 6-7
A10 ............. 4-6
Big East ..... 2-4

[jbcarol]

Final Coaches Poll:

1 UConn
2. Kentucky (One 1st place vote)
3. Florida
...
23. Tennessee

No other SEC teams received votes.

[jbcarol]

David Jones ‏@DaveJonesUFbeat ·3 hrs
Orlando among NBA teams interested signing Will Yeguete to summer league team. #Gators

David Jones ‏@DaveJonesUFbeat ·24 mins
Will Yeguete's father, Lucien, has been working raise funds to save homeless children in central Africa in crisis. Missed Final 4. #Gators

[jbcarol]

Will Yeguete ‏@Will15Yeguete ·13 hrs
Girl: Are you Will Yeguete?
Me: No I'm not
Girl: Dang I always wanted to meet Will Yeguete
Me: I know i wanna meet him too!
Girl: (sigh)

[jbcarol]

Final ESPN BPI calculated after the NCAA Championship Game:

1. Arizona
2. Florida
...
8. Kentucky
25. Tennessee
40. Arkansas

[jbcarol]

Final four power rankings for '14-15:

1. Florida
2. Kentucky
3. Tennessee
4. Arkansas

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops ·22 hrs
Remembering the ride: Here are the top-10 memories during the 30-game winning streak for Sun sports columnist ... http://bit.ly/1kkYCCo

[jbcarol]

Calipari began the morning on the MSNBC show "Morning Joe", made his way to something called "Squawk Box" on CNBC, had lunch with former President Bill Clinton, took a jet with Tucker Max to Charlotte for the Bobcats and Bulls, and while there ran into Michael Jordan. Tucker tweeted me and said the two talked about the "One and Done" Rule and Jordan said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver would be pushing hard this summer to get the rule changed to two years.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/traveling-caliparis-thursday-news-and-views

[jbcarol]

http://www.nwahomepage.com/fulltextsports/d/story/2014-razorback-basketball-banquet-recap/25464/WiFQ-JiLhEKh9OTof8o6ng

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik ‏@Steve_Walentik ·53 mins
Every member of this year's All-SEC first team will be gone next season with Julius Randle's expected announcement he's entering NBA draft.

Steve Walentik ‏@Steve_Walentik ·50 mins
Arkansas' Bobby Portis, Georgia's Charles Mann, LSU's Jordan Mickey and Ole Miss' Jarvis Summers are only All-SEC second-teamers coming back

First Team All-SEC                                                                                                                                   
Trevor Releford, Alabama – G, 6-1, 190, Sr., Kansas City, Mo.
Casey Prather, Florida – F, 6-6, 212, Sr., Jackson, Tenn.
Scottie Wilbekin, Florida – G, 6-2, 176, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.
Julius Randle, Kentucky – F, 6-9, 250, Fr., Dallas, Texas
Johnny O'Bryant III, LSU – F, 6-9, 256, Jr., Cleveland, Miss.
Jabari Brown, Missouri – G, 6-5, 214 Jr., Oakland, Calif.
Jordan McRae, Tennessee – G, 6-6, 185, Sr., Midway, Ga.
Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee – F, 6-8, 260, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.

Second Team All-SEC                                                                                                                             
Bobby Portis, Arkansas – F, 6-10, 242, Fr., Little Rock, Ark.
Chris Denson, Auburn – G, 6-2, 181, Sr., Columbus, Ga.
Patric Young, Florida – C, 6-9, 240, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Charles Mann, Georgia – G, 6-5, 210, So., Alpharetta, Ga.
James Young, Kentucky – G, 6-6, 215, Fr., Rochester Hills, Mich.
Jordan Mickey, LSU – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Dallas, Texas
Marshall Henderson, Ole Miss – G, 6-2, 177, Sr., Hurst, Texas
Jarvis Summers, Ole Miss – G, 6-3, 186, Jr., Jackson, Miss.
Jordan Clarkson, Missouri – G, 6-5, 193, Jr., San Antonio, Texas
Rod Odom, Vanderbilt – F, 6-9, 212, Sr., Central Islip, N.Y.

SEC All-Freshman Team                                                                                                                       
Shannon Hale, Alabama – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Johnson City, Tenn.
Bobby Portis, Arkansas – F, 6-10, 242, Fr., Little Rock, Ark.
Julius Randle, Kentucky – F, 6-9, 250, Fr., Dallas, Texas
James Young, Kentucky – G, 6-6, 215, Fr., Rochester Hills, Mich.
Jarell Martin, LSU – F, 6-9, 241, Fr. Baton Rouge, La.
Jordan Mickey, LSU – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Dallas, Texas
Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina – G, 6-5, 205, Fr., Lancaster, S.C.
Damian Jones, Vanderbilt – C, 6-10, 235, Fr., Baton Rouge, La.

SEC All-Defensive Team                                                                                                                         
Patric Young, Florida – C, 6-9, 240, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Scottie Wilbekin, Florida – G, 6-2, 176, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky – F, 7-0, 244, So., Olathe, Kan.
Jordan Mickey, LSU – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Dallas, Texas
Josh Richardson, Tennessee – G, 6-6, 196, Jr., Edmond, Okla.

[jbcarol]

Quick thing from the Julius Randle announcement that he will enter the NBA Draft.

In the question-and-answer session, Randle several times alluded to the adversity he and his teammates went through this season. He wasn't talking about injuries or illness or things of that nature. He was talking about the criticism that came from the team not meeting the excessive expectations placed on this team.

In the long run, the scrutiny placed on Randle's game this year should help him in the pros, where his play will put under the microscope in a bottom-line fashion. As his mother, Carolyn Kiles said, Julius is a 19-year-old getting ready to play with grown men.

http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2014/04/22/three-quick-things-on-julius-randles-announcement

His comment may foreshadow the announcements of other UK freshmen who may figure that you might as well get paid to be under that level of scrutiny.

[jbcarol]

All-SEC Early Entry in NBA Draft Team (thus far)

Jabari Brown  Mizzou  R-Jr
Jordan Clarkson  MU   Jr
JOB III          LSU      Jr
Julius Randle  UK       Fr
Jarnell Stokes UT       Jr
James Young  UK       Fr

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops ·15h
Eight Gators on SEC honor roll: Florida was a cerebral team throughout its 2014 run to its fifth Final Four in... http://bit.ly/1ikqWEV


Knocked off by a hungrier team with more basketball smarts and less book smarts.

[jbcarol]

Preseason Media Poll                    Pts
Kentucky (21)................................... 371
Florida (5)........................................ 353
Tennessee (1).................................320
LSU................................................... 270
Missouri........................................... 262
Alabama.......................................... 257
Ole Miss...........................................216
Arkansas..........................................197
Texas A&M...................................... 139
Vanderbilt........................................ 125
Georgia............................................ 119
South Carolina.................................108
Mississippi State..............................59
Auburn............................................... 39


Regular Season finish with SEC-T seed
1.    ‡Florida    18–0    29–2       
2.    †Kentucky    12–6    22–9    
3.    †Georgia    12–6    18–12        
4.    †Tennessee 11–7 20–11       
5.    #Arkansas    10–8    21–10       
6.    #Ole Miss    9–9    18–13           
7.    #LSU    9–9    18–12           
8.    #Missouri    9–9    21–10           
9.    #Tex A&M    8–10    17–14                 
10.    #Alabama    7–11    13–18             
11.    Vanderbilt    7–11    15–15    
12.    Auburn    6–12    14–15       
13.    So Carolina    5–13    11–20              
14.    Miss State    3–15    13–18

[jbcarol]

'13-14 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1. Kentucky, 2. Florida, 3. Tennessee, 4. Missouri, 5. LSU, 6. Alabama, 7. Ole Miss, 8. Arkansas, 9. Vanderbilt, 10. Texas A&M, 11. Georgia, 12. South Carolina, 13. Mississippi State, 14. Auburn

KENTUCKY: To call the Wildcats' 2012-13 campaign a disappointment would be putting it mildly. A year after winning the a national championship, Kentucky finished just 21-12 and missed out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time in John Calipari's tenure, and for only the second time since 1992...

ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks exceeded expectations in Mike Anderson's second season as head coach in 2012-13, going 19-13 overall while finishing above .500 in the SEC (10-8) for the first time since 2007-08, although an uphill climb appears to be in store after they lost two of the league's most reliable players in BJ Young (15.2 ppg, 3.4 apg) and Marshawn Powell (14.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Of the remaining players from last year's squad, only Coty Clarke (7.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Mardracus Wade (6.5 ppg) can be relied upon for any sort of consistent offensive production. There's plenty of opportunity for newcomers to make a impact on this roster, and luckily Arkansas made a big recruiting splash by bringing in a pair of 6-foot-10 freshmen in Bobby Portis and Moses Kingsley, the former being a McDonald's All-American and a consensus five-star prospect, while the latter, who is originally from Nigeria, is a defensive specialist...

What they were saying b/4 the '13-14 season tipped off...

[jbcarol]

Robi Coker @robicoker  ·  9h

"@gatorhoops: 1st time since 2010 that no Gators were taken in the NBA draft." 36-3 Great teams aren't always most talented-Group of Winners


Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  8h
Wilbekin to get summer shot w/Grizzlies, Sixers: Former Florida point guard Scottie Wilbekin will get an oppor...