2014-15 SEC Basketball Projections

[The_Iceman]

From Jon Rothstein

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/491208568809353217

Arkansas #5.

Somebody let me know if I have hog colored glasses on or not, but it seems most CBS guys go out of their way to project Arkansas the worst possible projection they can justifiably give them.  I remember last year some of them had us projected as low as #11.

All puns and jokes aside nobody that watches SEC basketball should have us projected outside of the top 4.  You could argue maybe LSU in front of us, but even that's a stretch they lost a lot of key guys, and will be depending on a lot of new players next year. They do have Mickey and Martin, but Portis is better than both of those guys, and we return a lot more experience with 5 of our 6 top scorers returning.  And Georgia at 3, has got to be a joke, they bring in a recruiting class with two 3 stars and lost their 3rd leading scorer, and their overall record was worse than Arkansas with more way more bad losses.  I guess the combo of Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines looks more dangerous on paper than Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls.

Georgia is an interesting team. They are returning basically their entire roster. If they build on last years success, they could be very good. But I could also see them taking a step back from last years record as well.

[HawgAdvocate]

So between 8 and 11th, and we finished 5th.

Yep, lots of parity and close finishes. Could have been better, could have been worse. We deserve to be 3rd this year though.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Where is mizzou, tenner and aubie on this list?

[Albert Swinestein]

We should be third, but I am not confident enough to bet on it.  LSU will be pretty good even with their player losses from last year.  Georgia is very well coached.  Texas A&M is a team that intrigues me if Alex Robinson is at PG next year...they could be very much improved and they are also very well coached.  We should finish #3, but I would not be surprised to see us end the regular season anywhere from #3 to #6.

[The_Iceman]

Yep, lots of parity and close finishes. Could have been better, could have been worse. We deserve to be 3rd this year though.

Just curious, why would you put us 3rd over Georgia, who lost nobody (yet really didn't gain anyone either) and finished with a better SEC record?

[-Blu]

Georgia had some bad losses that's why they were basically out of the tournament before SEC play even started, they would had to win the SEC tournament to even get in the tourney.  Plus they didn't beat anybody.  We were their best win and it took them beating us in OT at home after we just absolutely collapsed.  They did beat Mizzou twice, but other than that no impressive wins.

Plus they lost their 3rd leading scorer.

http://www.11alive.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/07/14/brandon-morris-uga-basketball/12642047/

Both Arkansas and LSU are better on paper than Georgia, but that's just my opinion.  I think you could make a good argument for Georgia being 5th, but just don't see how if your going by "Power Rankings" you could look at rosters and put them ahead of LSU and Arkansas.

[Hawg Red]

My first reaction was shock. But I think we Hog fans are too close to the situation and we've slotted ourselves in no worse than 3rd. But the outside world is probably looking at the loss of 5 seniors with no perceived "difference-makers" coming in. We all think Beard and Durham, and Miles, will make a big difference, but they don't appear to be significant difference-makers to the outsiders.

I think we finish 3rd. I think we should be picked ahead of everyone but UK and Florida. I understand someone here and there taking either Georgia or LSU ahead of us, but it's kinda shocking to see both ahead of us.

[HawgAdvocate]

Just curious, why would you put us 3rd over Georgia, who lost nobody (yet really didn't gain anyone either) and finished with a better SEC record?

1) They don't shoot well (or often - last in the SEC) from the perimeter

2) They have no one over 6'8" that has any experience

3) No one on that squad appears to be able to carry the team on his shoulders on a tough night like, say, Portis did for us against Bama last season

4) Their best scorer, Charles Mann, easily led them in assists (97)...but he also easily led them in TOs (113 - he led the SEC)

They have some decent talent, but no one that equals Portis or Madden.

[-Blu]

My first reaction was shock. But I think we Hog fans are too close to the situation and we've slotted ourselves in no worse than 3rd. But the outside world is probably looking at the loss of 5 seniors with no perceived "difference-makers" coming in. We all think Beard and Durham, and Miles, will make a big difference, but they don't appear to be significant difference-makers to the outsiders.

I think we finish 3rd. I think we should be picked ahead of everyone but UK and Florida. I understand someone here and there taking either Georgia or LSU ahead of us, but it's kinda shocking to see both ahead of us.

Looking at all of their predictions from last year, we actually shouldn't be surprised, probably every person that made a prediction in the prediction thread in jumpball last year guessed better than all the CBS guys.  I really think outside of Kentucky and Florida Jon doesn't watch much SEC basketball, if any.  I follow him and he rarely comments on the SEC unless they play his favorite team SMU or unless Kenucky or Florida is involved.

And I wouldn't be upset with 4th, it's really debatable between us and LSU. LSU has a better recruiting class and potential 2 first round picks, so you made could argume between Ark and LSU who's better.  But with Georgia losing their 3rd leading scorer and bringing in two low 3 star recruits and having the bad losses they had last year, no reason they should be projected that high.  I'd like to hear him explain that reasoning.

[Breems]

The teams that were legitimately going to challenge us next season had terrible offseasons. We're probably the "safe" 3rd pick. 4th wouldn't be a shocker.

[poloprince]

My first reaction was shock. But I think we Hog fans are too close to the situation and we've slotted ourselves in no worse than 3rd. But the outside world is probably looking at the loss of 5 seniors with no perceived "difference-makers" coming in. We all think Beard and Durham, and Miles, will make a big difference, but they don't appear to be significant difference-makers to the outsiders.

I think we finish 3rd. I think we should be picked ahead of everyone but UK and Florida. I understand someone here and there taking either Georgia or LSU ahead of us, but it's kinda shocking to see both ahead of us.

Beard and Durham > Scott, Wade, Gulley #facts

[Hawg Red]

Beard and Durham haven't played a second of D1 or SEC basketball. Not a fact that they are better. I'm anticipating them to be, but I know better by now than to assume.

[HawgnCorona]

Georgia is an interesting team. They are returning basically their entire roster. If they build on last years success, they could be very good. But I could also see them taking a step back from last years record as well.

UGA did kick Brandon Morris off the team just recently...ICEman.

Im also "shocked" that we would not be a healthy choice for 3rd--if not higher--in conference? Assuming the same criteria is used for selecting the top two? Otherwise, one could easily make a case for media bias. But, why?!!!

[Boston RedHogs]

The teams that were legitimately going to challenge us next season had terrible offseasons. We're probably the "safe" 3rd pick. 4th wouldn't be a shocker.

Ding, Ding, Ding....

[Breems]

Beard and Durham haven't played a second of D1 or SEC basketball. Not a fact that they are better. I'm anticipating them to be, but I know better by now than to assume.

They won't be instant upgrades. Wade and Gulley were pretty good defenders, and our perimeter defense was still the suck last year.

However, if they can score 4-6PPG, they'll already be an upgrade offensively.

[Hawg Red]

They won't be instant upgrades. Wade and Gulley were pretty good defenders, and our perimeter defense was still the suck last year.

However, if they can score 4-6PPG, they'll already be an upgrade offensively.

I think people forget where Wade and Scott were rated coming out of HS. And that Gulley was at least a part-time starter early on in the Big 12. What's coming in is often more appealing than what you had, but it's not always reality.

But, again, I do expect Beard and Durham to be better for our offense and make us flow better on that end. Far from a guarantee that they're better, though. PP isn't known for his analytic thinking, though. To be expected.

[rzrbackramsfan]

This may be a good year to bet money on the hogs finishing 2nd or better in the sec

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein  ·  14h

14-15 SEC Preseason First Team Andrew Harrison (UK), Mike Frazier (UF), Alex Poythres (sic) (UK), Bobby Porti (sic) (Arkansas), Willie Cauley-Stein (UK)

[The Hogfather]

I say we finish 1st or 2nd ...

[hoglady]

If we finish 5th or worse it will be a very disappointing year.
If we bust out on these Arkansas recruits it will be an extremely disappointing year.
This season is crucial for Anderson and the program going forward.

[The_Iceman]

UGA did kick Brandon Morris off the team just recently...ICEman.

Im also "shocked" that we would not be a healthy choice for 3rd--if not higher--in conference? Assuming the same criteria is used for selecting the top two? Otherwise, one could easily make a case for media bias. But, why?!!!

I did miss the Brandon Morris news. Considering their poor recruiting, any loss like this hurts for them.

[The_Iceman]

Beard and Durham > Scott, Wade, Gulley #facts

Hopefully Beard and Durham will be more complete players than those three, or at least more consistent. With Scott, Wade, Gulley, and even Kikko, you had to throw them all out there to see who was going to play well that night. 

[-Blu]

Hopefully Beard and Durham will be more complete players than those three, or at least more consistent. With Scott, Wade, Gulley, and even Kikko, you had to throw them all out there to see who was going to play well that night.

I'm not so much as banking on the fact that our incoming guards are upgrades, I'm more banking on all of our key returns from a 22 win team being better than they were last year.  I fully expect Portis, Qualls, Kingsley, Madden, Harris and Bell to be even better than they were last year, I would also expect Williams to find himself a spot in the rotation this year and play with consistency. 

While the incoming guys should be upgrades, even if they aren't as big of an upgrade as we hope, if our key players progress like they should, we should be significantly better next year.  With all that said, I'd be shocked if Beard, Durham, and Babb don't play as well as expected, I've read a few reports from some practices and everything I've heard on Beard and Durham has been nothing but positive, heard they are taking control of the offense and really playing well.  I heard Durham has a really nice pull-up shot.  I haven't heard much on Babb yet though.

[Danny J]

I am telling you guys....I still think we have a shot to win the SEC regular season title and at worst...worst....3. We will be ahead of the Gators and LSU. Might finish behind the Cats.

[The Hogfather]

I am telling you guys....I still think we have a shot to win the SEC regular season title and at worst...worst....3. We will be ahead of the Gators and LSU. Might finish behind the Cats.

I agree.  I say 1st or 2nd in the SEC this year (unless we have some key injuries/suspensions, etc.).

[hawgchill]

From Jon Rothstein

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/491208568809353217

Arkansas #5.

Somebody let me know if I have hog colored glasses on or not, but it seems most CBS guys go out of their way to project Arkansas the worst possible projection they can justifiably give them.  I remember last year some of them had us projected as low as #11.

All puns and jokes aside nobody that watches SEC basketball should have us projected outside of the top 4.  You could argue maybe LSU in front of us, but even that's a stretch they lost a lot of key guys, and will be depending on a lot of new players next year. They do have Mickey and Martin, but Portis is better than both of those guys, and we return a lot more experience with 5 of our 6 top scorers returning.  And Georgia at 3, has got to be a joke, they bring in a recruiting class with two 3 stars and lost their 3rd leading scorer, and their overall record was worse than Arkansas with more way more bad losses.  I guess the combo of Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines looks more dangerous on paper than Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls.

Favorite quotes (for ME) by our heritage coaches,

"Nobody GAVE us anything" Richardson
"Gut check time for us"   Sutton

Each built, and got it DONE on the court....
CLEARLY (in THIS opinion) that's where we are NOW.

Play to OUR potential and with toughness, we'll be where we SHOULD be

Peace to hogville Fam!

[Hawg Red]

I am telling you guys....I still think we have a shot to win the SEC regular season title and at worst...worst....3. We will be ahead of the Gators and LSU. Might finish behind the Cats.

Just curious -- What's your reasoning on us finishing ahead of Florida?

[Danny J]

Just curious -- What's your reasoning on us finishing ahead of Florida?

Experienced upperclassmen PG(Wilbekin) has graduated. If you look over the losses last year, most(not all), were to teams with experienced and talented upperclassmen PG's. Teams that could overcome the pressure because they had veteran floor general type PG's who knew how to distribute and how to beat the press and how to beat the half court traps. Also....I think our defense will be the best it has been in a decade which will help to overcome those same type of players capable of beating and exposing our traps. While we were better last year our defense still had a ton of gaps and weaknesses to be exposed and I think that gap will narrow quite a bit especially by the end of January.

Sorry I don't post as much until start of the fall practices so I probably won't be able to respond to a follow up post.

[SwinerBock]

I wouldn't get all hung up on a 3rd, 4th, 5th prediction in the pre-season.  I think you have to say Kentucky and Florida will be the top 2, and there will probably be a group of 3 or 4 that are somewhat evenly matched and will battle it out for 3rd, and we should be in that group.  It will probably come right down to the wire this season just like it did last season.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  5h

Former Tennessee hoops signee Eric McKnight tells @GoVolsXtra he will play for Long Beach State http://www.knoxnews.com/govolsxtra/basketball/former-tennessee-basketball-signee-eric-mcknight-says-he-will-play-for-long-beach_09273486 ...


Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  4h

Source confirms #Vols guard Detrick Mostella has been cleared by NCAA Clearinghouse.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  Jul 23

Florida confirms that DeVon Walker's injury occurred during summer workout. Knee buckled on cut. Freak injury.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

What's better to be picked 3rd and finish 5th or picked 5th and finish 3rd.

[The Hogfather]

What's better to be picked 3rd and finish 5th or picked 5th and finish 3rd.

5th 3rd (sounds like a bank or something)

[Hawg Red]

What's better to be picked 3rd and finish 5th or picked 5th and finish 3rd.

Latter.

[jbcarol]

Wes Rucker @wesrucker247  ·  23h

Detrick Mostella is, to be clear, one of the best athletes #Vols have had in my decade-or-so on the beat. Fast, and can dunk on anyone.

Eric McKnight news was a blow for #Vols, but having the nation's No. 45 overall prospect in the fold is great for them.

[jbcarol]

MGM Grand hotel and casino is playing host to two major events, one of them new. The 2014-15 season will see the "MGM Grand Main Event" and "MGM Grand Showcase" at the establishment's MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The initial Main Event will be played from Nov. 24-26...

The Main Event will feature Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Auburn and Tulsa in a "heavyweight" bracket...

"Our goal is to brand MGM Grand as the 'college basketball capital of Las Vegas' and with both the Main Event and Showcase we have set the foundation for bigger and better things to come in the next few years," Brooks Downing [former UK assistant basketball SID], president of bd Global said.

[mhuff]

It's better to finish first.

It all depends on road wins. Non-conference schedule is tougher as well.

[Hoggish1]

So between 8 and 11th, and we finished 5th.

Why do I always want to smack Gotlieb?  Do I need anger management?

[jbcarol]

Three-star 2014 point guard Braxton Bonds from Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Academy plans to walk-on at Tennessee this season, a source close to Bonds' recruitment told govols247 on Sunday...

He's close friends with 2016 CPA star wing Braxton Blackwell. The 6-foot-8 Blackwell is the nation's No. 24 overall prospect in the 2016 Top247.

[jbcarol]

In Calipari's five years at Kentucky, his teams have been known for featuring one notable "star"...

However, with a less-heralded recruiting class and a slew of returning talent, it is unclear who will fulfill this role in the upcoming season.

Karl Anthony Towns
Towns is the highest-rated signee in this year's class (#5 prospect according to Scout) and recently won Gatorade's Male Athlete of the Year award. Karl has a great head on his shoulders and a competitive spirit - traits that, when combined with his talent, could make him a leader on next year's team. Of course, he will have to win a starting position...

Aaron Harrison
We already know he's clutch. If Aaron can become a bit more consistent next season...

Cauley-Stein
Willie has been a projected lottery pick for the past two seasons...

...

Andrew Harrison
Last season's "tweak" that precipitated the incredible postseason run revolved around him. Andrew will be Calipari's first returning point guard at UK...

[jbcarol]

MGM Grand hotel and casino is playing host to two major events, one of them new. The 2014-15 season will see the "MGM Grand Main Event" and "MGM Grand Showcase" at the establishment's MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The initial Main Event will be played from Nov. 24-26...

Retweeted by Auburn Basketball
bd Global @bdGlobalSports  ·  Jul 23
Finally, an exclusive first look at the @MGMGrand Main Event championship belt/trophy

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  5h
Tweet from Tariq Owens' dad says #Vols freshman forward gained 10 pounds during his first month on campus

[jbcarol]

The 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats began the first of ten practices today in order to get ready for their trip to the Bahamas. According to our own Matt Jones "The plan in the Bahamas, at least for the first couple of games, is likely to be to play two separate five man teams an equal amount of the game. That may change for the latter games, but this will give all ten of the main players a chance to get full work and showcase themselves."

f I was calling the shots though this is how I'd divide the teams:

Lineup 1:
PG- Andrew Harrison

SG- Dominique Hawkins

SF- Devin Booker

PF- Alex Poythress

C- Karl-Anthony Towns

Lineup 2:
PG- Tyler Ulis

SG- Aaron Harrison

SF- Derek Willis

PF- Marcus Lee

C- Dakari Johnson

Cauley-Stein is recovering from surgery and Lyles is also out for the Bahama games.

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein  ·  4h
Greetings from Lexington! Here are the Craft Center to check out Kentucky before it heads to the Bahamas.

Still believe Arizona has college basketball's best starting five. But no program has a better 12 than Kentucky. And it's not even close.

Calipari said there will be a "zone" day during the next few weeks where Kentucky focuses on zone D. A must with this team's length.

Early prediction on Kentucky starting five --- Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee, Willie Cauley-Stein....

Devin Booker is a zone breaker. Going to take pressure off people and stretch the defense. Going to push for major minutes as a freshman.

Will Alex Poythress become a perimeter threat? He has to be next season. Going to be seeing a lot of time at SF for UK. Must make shots.

Karl Towns has a little Channing Frye in his game. Accurate from deep and extends defenses from the five spot. Major, major talent.

Two guys who can play on Kentucky that NO ONE talks about? Dominique Hawkins + Derek Willis. Both would play major mins at another program.

Andrew Harrison has noticeably tightened his left hand dribble since the end of last season. Much more comfortable using both hands.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  22m

#Vols coach Donnie Tyndall, speaking about Brandon Lopez, to @SportsAnimal99: "It's a huge blow to our team."

Tyndall on @SportsAnimal99: "He (Lopez) needs to become an additional assistant coach for us, a guy that's watching tape with the staff."

Tyndall on @SportsAnimal99: Lopez will rehab and, if he can, play the following season. If not he can join #Vols staff as GA.

Tyndall on @SportsAnimal99: "Eric (McKnight) would have been our starting center. Absolutely. No question about it."

Tyndall to @SportsAnimal99 on Mostella: "I was never concerned. I really wasn't. It was just a matter of it running his course."

Tyndall to @SportsAnimal99 on PGs: "It's probably going to be point by committee rather than just 1 person."


Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  7m
Tyndall to @SportsAnimal99 on Eric McKnight: "I really can't explain it. I wish I could. That's a question you have to ask the SEC people."

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein  ·  4h
Greetings from Lexington! Here are the Craft Center to check out Kentucky before it heads to the Bahamas.

Still believe Arizona has college basketball's best starting five. But no program has a better 12 than Kentucky. And it's not even close.

Calipari said there will be a "zone" day during the next few weeks where Kentucky focuses on zone D. A must with this team's length.

Early prediction on Kentucky starting five --- Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee, Willie Cauley-Stein....

Devin Booker is a zone breaker. Going to take pressure off people and stretch the defense. Going to push for major minutes as a freshman.

Will Alex Poythress become a perimeter threat? He has to be next season. Going to be seeing a lot of time at SF for UK. Must make shots.

Karl Towns has a little Channing Frye in his game. Accurate from deep and extends defenses from the five spot. Major, major talent.

Two guys who can play on Kentucky that NO ONE talks about? Dominique Hawkins + Derek Willis. Both would play major mins at another program.

Andrew Harrison has noticeably tightened his left hand dribble since the end of last season. Much more comfortable using both hands.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/jon-rothstein-on-kentuckys-freshmen-and-11th-and-12th-players

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  7h
UCLA basketball's trip to Alabama set for Christmas Break http://ow.ly/zIveG

UCLA will travel to Tuscaloosa on Dec. 28 to complete the home-and-home series it started with Alabama last season. The Bruins downed the Crimson Tide, 75-67, in last year's matchup at Pauley Pavilion despite a career night from Trevor Releford.

Along with the UCLA game, Alabama also has its trip to Xavier set for Dec. 6. Alabama fell short when it hosted the Musketeers last year, 77-74.

Two other known non-conference opponents, Wichita State (road) and South Florida (home), have yet to release their respective schedules.

Alabama is already scheduled to play two tough non-conference games at the CBE Hall of Fame Classic on Nov. 24 and 25 in Kansas City. The field of potential opponents features Iowa State, Maryland and Arizona State.

Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, Alabama went 6-7 against non-conference foes in 2013-14.

Alabama will be UCLA's only true non-conference road opponent in 2014-15.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  31m
Final Update: Walk-on PG Brandon Lopez will redshirt after tearing ACL; Walk-on PG Braxton Bonds comes aboard http://www.knoxnews.com/govolsxtra/basketball/tennessee-point-guard-brandon-lopez-tears-acl_37918057 ...

Tennessee

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  4h
Dino Gaudio saw Calipari's team practice and now calls UK the most talented team he's seen in 10 years.
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/dino-gaudio-calls-uk-best-team-hes-seen-in-a-decade-predicts-undefeated-run-through-sec/ ...

[jbcarol]

Numbers work out for Bruce Pearl.

They always do.

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  2h
Small forward granted release from letter of intent at Auburn http://ow.ly/zLZre

Auburn signee Sam Logwood has been released from his national letter of intent, a team spokesman confirmed Wednesday.

The small forward signed with Auburn under former coach Tony Barbee and had not yet arrived on campus.

Auburn remains one man over the NCAA scholarship limit of 13, but one player is expected to be removed from scholarship in August.

"There's been notification, so everybody has been notified about whether or not they'll be back or not," Pearl said outside a Lee County Auburn Alumni event on July 17. "Then it's just a matter of some guys finding some places and finalizing some plans. When that gets done, it'll get announced."

Center Benas Griciunas left the team in June and landed at Charlotte. Logwood had not yet qualified and was waiting on the results of an entrance test in late July. If Logwood had arrived on campus, Pearl would have needed to make room for two scholarships.

The only player on Auburn's roster who was not on scholarship at this time last year is sophomore forward Alex Thompson. The former walk-on was awarded a scholarship by Barbee in January.

Logwood is a three-star small forward out of La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana, where he was rated the state's fourth-best player

Auburn's current roster is currently available at the link above.