2014-15 SEC Basketball Projections

[jbcarol]

Sheldon Mickles @MicklesAdvocate  ·  18h
#LSU's SEC basketball slate unveiled http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/9995478-123/lsus-sec-basketball-slate-unveiled ... via @theadvocatebr

[jbcarol]

tnsports @tnsports  ·  17h
Departure of Johnson, Parker means #Vandy will have freshman backcourt. http://tnne.ws/VrWdNM

[jbcarol]

Hugh Kellenberger @HKellenbergerCL  ·  6h
ICYMI, Ole Miss' SEC basketball schedule was released last night. For 13th time in 17 years, Rebels open on the road. http://www.clarionledger.com/story/olemisssports/2014/08/15/ole-miss-basketball-schedule/14139459/ ...

[jbcarol]

Hugh Kellenberger @HKellenbergerCL  ·  20h
Quick take: [Ole Miss chances to make the] NCAA tournament may depend on the the six games against Arkansas, Georgia and LSU. Those are all other SEC middle tier teams.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  14m
Slice says Lyles and WCS progressing right on time, "chomping at the bit" to return.

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  9m
WCS says he's basically cleared now but UK wants to look at one more CT scan to be sure. A week away. Lyles says two weeks behind that.

[jbcarol]

Michael Bonner @MikeBBonner  ·  20h
After opening with Tennessee, MSU plays three of its next four SEC games on the road.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  3h
Rohrssen says Lyles has done everything right off the court at UK. "We can't wait to have him on the court." http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2014/08/16/injured-wildcats-getting-close-returning/14170593/ ...

Freshman big from Indy by way of Canada.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  11h
NBA Scout: Kentucky's Towns Could Be In Mix For No. 1 Pick, Cats' 2nd Five Better Than Most Teams' 1st http://zagsblog.com/articles/nba-scout-kentuckys-towns-could-be-in-mix-for-no-1-pick-cats-2nd-five-better-than-most-teams/ ...

One veteran NBA scout who has watched the games told SNY.tv that freshman big man Karl Anthony-Towns of New Jersey could be in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and that Kentucky's second five is better than a lot of teams' first five.

"They are loaded," the scout said of Kentucky. "It will be hard not to see them playing in the [NCAA] championship game in April of 2015. Their second five may be better than most of the teams they have on their schedule."

"Towns has a chance to go No. 1 but not out of the top five," the NBA scout said. "Poythress has gotten better but he's still a 4 more than a 3. The twins are better but not lottery picks. Ulis is a nice college guard. Booker is a prospect in a few years."

DraftExpress.com currently has Towns at No. 4 in the Draft behind Jahlil Okafor, Cliff Alexander and Emmanuel Mudiay.

The two squads UK is playing are not necessarily first team and second team but rather for balance as they have platooned.  Also Cauley-Stein and Lyles were held out due to leg injuries.

In crunch time yesterday UK broke up the "second unit" and Towns was sitting next to Kenny Payne.  Johnson and Lee were on the front line for UK with the Harrisons and Ulis.

[jbcarol]

Randy Newman @bigbluexpress  ·  13h
Combined stats through 5 games in the Bahamas.


Hat tip to Randy Newman

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  Aug 15
Florida basketball schedule full of SEC exposure: Coming off a Final Four appearance, Florida will get plenty ... http://bit.ly/1uZ119L

Of Florida's 18-game conference schedule, 17 will air on national television. Five games will air on ESPN, four will air on CBS, four will air on the SEC Network, three will air on ESPN2 and one will air on ESPNU.

Nov. 6: Barry (exhibition)

Nov. 14: William & Mary, tbd, SEC Network

Nov. 17: Miami, 7 p.m., ESPNU

Nov. 21: Louisiana-Monroe

Nov. 26: Georgetown, 9:30 p.m., AXS, at Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament, Bahamas.

Nov. 27: Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament, Bahamas, tbd

Nov. 28: Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament, Bahamas, tbd

Dec. 5: at Kansas (SEC-Big 12 Challenge), 9 p.m., ESPN

Dec. 8: Yale

Dec. 12: Texas Southern

Dec. 14: Jacksonville

Dec. 20: Wake Forest (Orange Bowl Classic), at Sunrise

Dec. 30: at Florida State, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Jan. 3: Connecticut

Jan. 7: at South Carolina, 7 p.m., SEC Network

Jan. 10: Mississippi State, tbd, FSN

Jan. 15: Auburn, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Jan. 17: at Georgia, 2 p.m., CBS

Jan. 20: LSU, 7 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 24: at Ole Miss, SEC Network

Jan. 27: at Alabama, 9 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 31: Arkansas, 1 p.m., CBS

Feb. 3: at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m., ESPN

Feb. 7: Kentucky, 9 p.m., ESPN

Feb. 12: Ole Miss, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Feb. 14: at Texas A&M, tbd, SEC Network

Feb. 18: Vanderbilt, 7 p.m., SEC Network

Feb. 21: at LSU, noon, CBS

Feb. 24: at Missouri, 9 p.m., ESPN

Feb. 28: Tennessee, tbd, ESPN2

March 3: Texas A&M, 9 p.m., ESPNU

March 7: at Kentucky, 2 p.m., CBS

[jbcarol]

Anchor o' Gold: Dai-Jon Parker Also Leaves Vanderbilt Because We Can't Have Nice Things

Dai-Jon Parker was set for a breakout senior season in Nashville with the Vanderbilt Commodores. Instead, he'll take his talents to Indianapolis and finish his basketball career in Division II.

Kedren Johnson's departure was just the beginning of an upperclass exodus. Senior shooting guard Dai-Jon Parker will also be leaving Vanderbilt University.

Parker's departure comes as some surprise. He played in all 31 games last season and posted career highs of 8.3 points and 3.2 assists last season. He was expected to lead this team as a senior this winter. Instead, the Commodores will have to turn to a cache of young guards to keep the team afloat.

Coach Kevin Stallings made it seem as though Parker's departure was the result of a failure to meet team standards in the university's release Friday afternoon:

"It is a privilege to be a Vanderbilt basketball player and with that privilege comes a high level of responsibility, both on and off the playing floor," said Stallings. "Unfortunately, the standards that were clearly set forth in both cases were not met and led to this decision.

"I did agree, however, to wait to announce both decisions until after they had determined where they would be continuing their college careers. Fortunately, our staff has been preparing for this possibility since last fall and feel that we have brought in six very talented perimeter players to lead us going forward. We certainly wish Dai-Jon and Kedren the best as they move forward with their lives."

Parker's transfer means that one player - Shelby Moats - now remains on the roster from the team's 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes.

Stallings's comment on the team's depth chart is accurate. The Commodores have a wealth of backcourt talent set to make their marks in Nashville this winter. Wade Baldwin, Matthew Fisher-Davis, Shelton Mitchell, and Riley LaChance...

[jbcarol]

Scarblog: Anthony Grant has never backed down from a challenge. Good thing because the SEC has inserted the basketball version of Dante's Inferno early in Alabama's conference schedule for the upcoming season.

It's not exactly a descent through nine circles of eternal damnation, but close. It's a five-game January stretch that could go a long way toward deciding whether Grant survives his hot-seat season in Tuscaloosa.

Saturday Jan. 17: Kentucky (home).
Thursday Jan. 22: Arkansas (away).
Saturday Jan. 24: Auburn (home).
Tuesday Jan. 27: Florida (home).
Saturday Jan. 31: Kentucky (away).

Three of those five games - Kentucky twice and Florida - come against teams coming off Final Four years. Two of those games - the second one against Kentucky and Arkansas - are two of the toughest road trips in the SEC.

The easiest game in that stretch, Auburn, won't be quite as easy as it's been in recent years for two reasons: 1.) Tony Barbee's out and Bruce Pearl's in, and 2.) It's the back end of one of those brutal Thursday-Saturday stretches after making the often adventurous return trip from Fayetteville.

How rough is that run? If the Crimson Tide goes 3-2 in that stretch, it should get an automatic at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament...

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  1h
Quick-hit update on Kentucky's final game and first loss here in the Bahamas: http://cjky.it/1p3b9xU

...blowing a 13-point lead over the final 8:48 in a rematch with the Dominican Republic National Team and losing 63-62 on a Jack Michael Martinez fadeaway jump shot with 2.6 seconds left.

Started jacking up threes and contested shots inside the arc which led to the blown lead.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  3h
Story from UK loss today in the Bahamas now includes a photo gallery. Check out Andrew Harrison's face on last shot: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2014/08/17/perfection-eludes-uk-basketball-bahamas-dominican-team-wins/14200803/ ...

[jbcarol]

Ben Garrett @SpiritBen  ·  Aug 16
Playing first of two exhibition games in the Bahamas, North Carolina lost 84-83 to the Providence Storm, the same team #OleMiss beat by 11.

[jbcarol]

Vaughts' Views @vaughtsviews  ·  7h
SEC releases complete 2014 basketball schedule http://wp.me/pt93y-c7G

[jbcarol]

Andy Katz @ESPNAndyKatz  ·  Aug 15
Credit Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings for not lowering standards. If players aren't meeting responsibilities then he should jettison them.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  4h
There is a quote from or about (or both) all 12 UK players regarding their performance in the Bahamas here: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/08/18/bahamas-breakdown-a-look-at-all-12-cats/14259157/ ...

[jbcarol]

3-Point Shot: Andy Katz discusses whether Kentucky can go undefeated in the SEC, says NC State coach Mark Gottfried likes what he sees from transfer Trevor Lacey and says Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings is confident in the five newcomers he has coming in.

[jbcarol]

Eamonn Brennan @eamonnbrennan  ·  9m

I'm excited to see: The UK platoon http://es.pn/1mhkzRx

So yeah, as of mid-August, that's what I'm most excited to see in 2014-15: a real, legitimate five-in-five-out platoon...

Will Calipari reserve that option for exhibition and rent-a-win games?  Create excitement at home for otherwise boring opponents?

[jbcarol]

Frank Martin @FrankMartin_SC  ·  4h

Leadership s not telling people what 2 do,it's giving the people around u the confidence & courage 2 put their personality in2 group culture

[jbcarol]

Kim Anderson's first summer as Missouri's basketball coach has come and gone.

He retained top recruits Jakeenan Gant, a power forward who was named Mr. Georgia Basketball last season, and Namon Wright, a heady guard from Los Angeles, while adding three more impact freshmen — wings Montaque "Teki" Gill-Caesar and D'Angelo Allen, along with point guard Tramaine Isabell.

Anderson also found a veteran point guard in Hawaii transfer Keith Shamburger to supplement a roster that already included young talent like forward Johnathan Williams III and Wes Clark.

Some expect a rebuilding season for Missouri, but the reality is this is simply a building year for Anderson, who laid a foundation built on fundamentals and defense during the summer.

"From day one to eight weeks later, I thought we got better," Anderson said. "We've got a little bit more of an idea defensively, and that was the main thing I wanted to see during that period."

The team — aside from Shamburger, who was finishing classes to graduate at Hawaii, and Gill-Caesar, who committed in early August — also built some much-needed chemistry, eating breakfast together every morning and bonding over biscuits and gravy...

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  4h
Billy D: Rutgers transfer Carter still not 100 percent: When Eli Carter transferred to Florida in the spring o... http://bit.ly/1vja3i5

[jbcarol]

The Tennessee men's basketball team hopes to welcome former Memphis big man Dominic Woodson to its frontcourt soon.

And there's a chance the 6-foot-10, 300-pound forward with three years of eligibility left could play this season.

Woodson's name was added to the UT student directory on Wednesday, the first day of the fall semester. A student can enroll as late as Aug. 29 and still participate in the fall semester, according to the university registrar.

A source aware of the transfer told the News Sentinel that Woodson would start classes Thursday. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because Woodson's transfer has not been made official.

Kevin Robinson, Woodson's mentor, told the News Sentinel on Wednesday he would withhold comment until Woodson's plans were finalized.

UT was among the schools that inquired about Woodson after Memphis announced his transfer on Aug. 14...

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  1h

.@GaryParrishCBS reporting Memphis will tell NCAA Dominic Woodson's scholarship wasn't renewed. Key for his hope of immediate eligibility.

[jbcarol]

GoVolsXtra @GoVolsXtra  ·  16h

Josh Pastner would support Dominic Woodson playing immediately for Vols: http://ow.ly/AAQ6C

[jbcarol]

Tennessee Basketball @Vol_Hoops  ·  18h
We're excited to welcome 6-10, 290-pound forward Dominic Woodson to Rocky Top: http://1tn.co/1lm9kMM

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  20m
Just looked this up, Florida's four bk seniors accounted for 59.4 pct of team's scoring last year and 51.1 percent of its rebounding.

UF's seniors will be missed most on defense next season, but offensively, there's some production coming back w Frazier/DFS.

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter @Dave_Matter  ·  4h
New at STLtoday: Kim Anderson on Mizzou's latest addition & more from SEC teleconference http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/anderson-pleased-with-mu-freshmen/article_9a70b248-f6aa-5193-a44f-43686dafe5f1.html ...

There may be some eligibility issues with Seattle Fr Isabell due to reported impermissible benefits from Steve Ballmer.

Steve Ballmer and his allies at Lakeside School attracted basketball talent to the wealthy school and aided them with a series of questionable tactics that included a new basketball-focused nonprofit, cash for a coach, an unusual admissions process and weak enforcement of academic standards.

Another player who joined the school was Tramaine Isabell, a talented prospect who is now set to play at the University of Missouri.

Isabell's mother, Aiyana Brown, said he first became interested in Lakeside after his middle school took him on a trip there. As a single mother and bus driver, she knew that the cost of the school was beyond her reach, so she asked Isabell's basketball trainer, Jeff Harris, to check with people he knew at the school.

Harris said he called his old friend Hobson, the new head coach. Harris said he and Hobson talked about the difficulties they would face if Isabell came to Lakeside.

"Tavio was kind of like, 'Are you sure, Jeff? Are you sure that this is a kid worth sticking our neck out on the line [for] and trying to help?' " Harris said.

Isabell started as an eighth-grader.

Isabell said the experience at Lakeside was "crazy" because people like Ballmer were among his biggest supporters. He described becoming "close friends" with the billionaire, who would ask Isabell about how his schooling was going.

The academics were a challenge. Isabell's GPA was always close to 2.0, or C, his mother said.

Brown described her son as "kind of like a guinea pig" for Lakeside as the school explored ways to be more diverse. "Tramaine wasn't necessarily ready for Lakeside," Brown said. "I don't know if Lakeside was necessarily ready for him."

To help get him through the first year, Lakeside assigned Isabell a tutor that ended up working with him two hours a day, five days a week for three months. He also had the help of tutors in other years.

State rules require student-athletes to maintain at least a D grade in all but one of their classes, but many schools or districts have a more stringent standard that the state considers a superseding requirement. Seattle Public Schools, for example, requires that athletes have a 2.0 GPA and take classes that move them in "normal progress toward graduation."

Carol Puccinelli, the Lakeside athletics secretary when Isabell was a student, believed that the 2.0 standard was in place at Lakeside under the athletic director who hired her, Ed Putnam, who died in 2008. Booth Kyle, the current admissions director at Lakeside, said he has no record of that standard ever being in place and that the school currently follows the lower state standards.

Puccinelli was surprised by how much time Isabell was spending in the gym during school days, since skipping class would prohibit a student from playing in a game. And she showed people in the athletic department that Isabell's grades might make him ineligible.

Administrators never deemed Isabell ineligible. Instead, Lakeside kept advancing Isabell through his freshman, sophomore and junior years. Puccinelli recalled a conversation with a Lakeside teacher who said Isabell was being allowed to hold off taking some of the academic classes that he would need for graduation.

Because of that, Isabell's senior-year schedule would have been an enormous undertaking, Puccinelli said. That almost ensured Isabell would not get a diploma from the school.

Isabell left Lakeside before his senior year, just a few months after leading the team to the state title game.

Puccinelli said it was sad to watch Isabell struggle. "It wasn't fair to him," she said.

At the end of each season, Puccinelli had the task of submitting each Lakeside team for state academic awards. One year, she couldn't figure out why the system wouldn't accept the basketball team's grades, until she learned that the minimum standard was a team average 3.0 GPA.

The basketball team had fallen to a 2.8 — something Puccinelli hadn't seen in her 14 years there.

A home on the lake

Isabell also got help at home, thanks to Rich Padden, a wealthy lawyer who has been a major supporter of the nonprofit funded by Ballmer, has been involved closely with Lakeside athletics, and had a son on the Lakeside team.

Padden "took an interest in me," Isabell said. The player began living at Padden's home — a $6 million mansion on Lake Washington that includes nearly 6,000 square feet of space.

In an interview, Padden initially declined to describe Isabell's living situation at the Washington Park house. He later said Isabell would "periodically stay with us" in the middle of the week.

When a Times reporter obtained records showing Isabell's driver's license listed Padden's house as his home address, Padden acknowledged that Isabell stayed there "most of the time" and is still living there today, even though Isabell is out of high school.

Padden also said Isabell was allowed to use one of Padden's vehicles — a GMC Yukon the player was driving when he got pulled over earlier this year two hours south of Seattle, according to court records. Padden also said he gave Isabell a "modest" amount of money to help him buy things like gas and food.

Isabell's mother said Padden helped with some medical bills related to a critical surgery the player had to rebuild his injured ankle.

Padden said he simply wanted to help a young kid who came from a difficult upbringing.

"Anything I believe we can do to help the black community in Seattle is kind of where my focus is," Padden said.

The circumstances have similarities to the case of Jamal Crawford. A Seattle businessman supported Crawford with a car, a place to live and money while he attended Rainier Beach High School. The NCAA later suspended Crawford for violating rules concerning amateurism.

Retweeted by Tramaine Isabell
Jamal Crawford @JCrossover  ·  Aug 20
I love being underrated..

[jbcarol]

Here are the 10 returning players that I expect to shine brightest in the upcoming season with consideration given to past accomplishments and what I believe their teams will be asking of them:

1. Jordan Mickey, F, LSU: Mickey didn't arrive in Baton Rouge with as much fanfare as classmate Jarrell Martin...

2. Bobby Portis, F, Arkansas

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  8h
Calipari said Cauley-Stein will participate in individual instruction and pickup games with team when Cal returns from taking Brad to school

[jbcarol]

Randy Rosetta @RandyRosetta  ·  3h
Athlon's pegs #LSU's two sophomore big men as pre-season All-Americans http://s.nola.com/Sh8FEFk  via @nolanews

It's not much of a secret that the LSU basketball team will be built on the foundation of sophomores Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin in 2014-15.

Athlon pegged the two talented big men as pre-season All-Americans -- Mickey to the first team and Martin to the third team.

Of Mickey, Athlon's wrote: "Mickey joined exclusive company by becoming only the second player in LSU history with 100 blocked shots in a season. The other is Shaquille O'Neal. After averaging 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, Mickey will team with fellow sophomore Jarell Martin for what could be the SEC's best frontcourt duo."

Joining Mickey on Athlon's first team were Andrew and Aaron Harrison of Kentucky; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of Arizona and Bobby Portis of Arkansas.

The complete second team was guards Terry Rozier (Louisville), Isaiah Taylor (Texas), Marcus Foster (Kansas State); and forwards Austin Nichols (Memphis) and Chris Walker (Florida).

Joining Martin on the third team were guards Wayne Selden (Kansas), Rodney Purvis (UConn) and forwards Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin) and fellow Baton Rouge native Damian Jones (Vanderbilt).

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  18h
Billy D concerned about unknowns: Florida coach Billy Donovan wrapped up his preseason speaking Tuesday night ... http://bit.ly/1zC9JLY

On new players stepping into starting roles: "You know, a guy like Chris Walker comes in mid-semester last year and plays 5-7 minutes a game, gets in there very, very sparingly and he's going to have an opportunity to play more. Kasey Hill kind of backed up Scottie Wilbekin last year, came in and had some really good moments and had some learning experience growing moments as a freshman. Can he handle a primary role like that?

"Dorian Finney-Smith came off the bench played a pretty big role for us, played significant minutes, but he had his ups and downs as well. I think the biggest thing is all of our guys coming back, there was never any level of consistency in terms of performance. There were signs. There were some very, very bright spots of what they could be and can be. But they have to be able to do it on a consistent basis night in and night out."

– on losing four seniors and swingman DeVon Walker for the season with a torn ACL: ""Losing four seniors and now DeVon being hurt, hopefully our guys were able to learn some very, very valuable experiences from those four guys..."

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  1h

Tyndall hasn't heard back a/b eligibility of Dom Woodson, Braxton Bonds. Estimates it could take 4-8 weeks. Hopes to know by 1st exhibition.

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello @bmarcello  ·  6h
Gotta start thinking if center Trayvon Reed makes it to campus that Auburn might be an NCAA Tournament candidate.

[jbcarol]

In what is turning into a daily occurrence since Bruce Pearl's show-cause was lifted, Auburn has landed a Top 100 recruit. Class of 2014 center Trayvon Reed, who originally committed to Maryland, will spend his first semester at Elevate Academy in Florida before joining the team. He will be eligible for play during the second semester.

Jeff Goodman        ✔ @GoodmanESPN

Former Maryland signee Trayvon Reed will attend Auburn at the break this year after a semester in junior college.
4:11 PM - 28 Aug 2014

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  1h

Congrats to EJ Floreal (@BouncyE_24) who KSR has learned has earned a scholarship from John Calipari for the upcoming season


Son of UK's Track and Field coach gets the 13th scholarship.

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik @Steve_Walentik  ·  2h
Have confirmed that #Mizzou Gs Keith Shamburger and Tramaine Isabell have been cleared to play this season, as @jeffborzello said earlier.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  14h
#Vols hoops Kevin Punter on how growing up in the Bronx influenced his game. Full Q/A coming this weekend.

[jbcarol]

Andy Katz @ESPNAndyKatz  ·  Aug 29
3-point shot: Offseason trips for Indiana, Ohio State, Ole Miss:

Ole Miss was in the Bahamas.

AK returns 7 of the top 10 players with five newcomers. Great jump start on the season going forward despite losing Henderson.

[jbcarol]

USA Today Bracket WAG

1 seed  Kentucky
3 seed  Florida
12 seeds  Arkansas and UGa (First Four games)

Last 4 in - Arkansas, UTEP, Georgia, N. Iowa    
First 4 out - Maryland, NC State, Auburn, Florida St

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  18h

Some early motivation for #Vols basketball: Sporting News' College Basketball Yearbook picked them to finish last in SEC.

[jbcarol]

Michael Bonner @MikeBBonner  ·  12h

Dan Mullen on #DawgTalk: De'Runnya Wilson done with hoops, Elijah Staley starting. http://on.thec-l.com/1rP94IQ

Dan Mullen may have closed the door on De'Runnya Wilson's basketball career.

Mississippi State's head coach was asked about his wide receiver dabbling in in both football and basketball last year. It appears that experiment is over.

"I think De'Runnya may be done with basketball at this point," Mullen said. "I think that's his plan."

Wilson had the most productive year by a freshman wide receiver since 2009. He finished with 26 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns. In MSU's season-opening win, he led all wideouts with four catches for 65 yards and two scores.

After the season, Wilson played in seven games for Rick Ray's basketball team. He scored six points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Wilson, Alabama's Mr. Basketball in 2013, didn't join the basketball team for its final game of the season or the SEC tournament in Atlanta.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  50m

#Vols Donnie Tyndall, speaking at his golf tournament today, said there's a good chance he will redshirt 6-10, 290 Memphis transfer Dom Woodson if he can't lose weight.

Tyndall: Woodson probably a month away from hearing back a/b eligibility. Would redshirt him even if eligible, if he doesn't drop a/b 20 lbs

Tyndall said Woodson's work ethic has been off and on since he arrived. He's at 295 right now. Target is 270 range.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  23h

Sounds like Kevin Punter would be #Vols starting PG if Tyndall had to name one today. He's making transition better than the staff expected.

Tyndall on Kevin Punter: "He is one of the three most detailed, organized, professional guys on our team. He's there early. He stays late."

Tyndall said Derek Reese has come on strong the past couple of weeks after a not-so-great summer. He considers Reese a forward, not a guard.

Tyndall said two of Detrick Mostella's weaknesses are defense and shot selection. He's getting better, though. Coachable. Great athlete.

[jbcarol]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA  ·  10m

Yahoo Sources: John Calipari finalizing plans for unprecedented preseason NBA scouting combine for No. 1 Kentucky. http://yhoo.it/1lPWIxo

[jbcarol]

David Cloninger @DCTheState  ·  Sep 9
USC men's hoops down a man. Brian Steele suffered a right knee injury during workouts and is out eight weeks.

Gamecocks already lost Shamiek Sheppard to an ACL tear over the summer. Steele has already had surgery.

[jbcarol]

Kentucky Basketball: 5 Games That Will Define Wildcats' Season in 2014-15

For John Calipari's team to make good on its incalculable potential, the Wildcats will need to prove that they can beat the best teams in the country, many of which made it onto Coach Cal's schedule this year.

One such powerhouse is the North Carolina Tar Heels, who knocked off last year's Kentucky squad in Chapel Hill. UK gets to host the return bout at Rupp Arena...

Vs. Kansas (Nov. 18)

Vs. Texas (Dec. 5)

At Louisville (Dec. 27)

At Florida (Feb. 7)

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  7h
Chris Walker-Dorian Finney-Smith-Devin Robinson would be an athletic starting frontcourt for #Gators. Strong in transition.

But I still think you will see Jon Horford starting in frontcourt early in season for #Gators due to his bulk and intelligence on defense.

[jbcarol]

Billy Donovan @UFCoachBillyD  ·  1h

63 Days Until Season Opener,9 Weeks From Today. #GatorsAlways