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SEC Basketball
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:18 am
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:18 am
The perception of SEC basketball is that it is a weak conference, but looking at Missouri and Texas A&M this year makes me wonder if overall it is as weak as perceived. Did both of these teams lose big-time talent that would make then both so much worse this year than last?
I think maybe the SEC doesn't get the credit it maybe deserves...
I think maybe the SEC doesn't get the credit it maybe deserves...
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Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:26 am to Sandtrap
quote:
I think maybe the SEC doesn't get the credit it maybe deserves...
This is the one season that notion isn't true IMO. The conference is incredibly inconsistent right now and in large part due to instability at the top (lots of new HCs or ones that are one foot out of the door). I can't speak for A&M but I know Mizzou had pretty much a whole new lineup outside of Pressey this season.
ETA: I think it certainly gets better as things stabilize and teams outside of Kentucky and Florida are recruiting well. It's just going to take a couple seasons for it to happen.
This post was edited on 3/4/13 at 8:28 am
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:28 am to BluegrassBelle
It looks like the conference as a whole is poised to make a big step forward next season.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:32 am to ProjectP2294
There's definitely some talent coming in across the board.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:33 am to BluegrassBelle
BluegrassBelle, I think you nailed it.
Every year in the conference there is so much turnover. Coaches being fired, coaches being hired, Kentucky losing 3 freshmen to the NBA draft, etc. The conference never has the same look from year to year.
I think that will change moving forward though.
Every year in the conference there is so much turnover. Coaches being fired, coaches being hired, Kentucky losing 3 freshmen to the NBA draft, etc. The conference never has the same look from year to year.
I think that will change moving forward though.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:49 am to Sandtrap
Mizzou has 1 returning player from last year. Last year they had 4 seniors and 3 went on to play pro ball. When you have basically a whole new team you are going to have your struggles meshing but they have a lot of talent and could go deep in the tournament.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:49 am to TXGunslinger10
UK was just letting all the other teams have a chance this season before they dominate next year. If Noel comes back and they have the class coming in it could be banner #9. Order will be restored next season.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:50 am to Sandtrap
You realize we were 4-14 in the Big 12 last year right?
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:51 am to Cheese Grits
quote:
If Noel comes back
I see your grind though.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:54 am to TXGunslinger10
There are 9 RPI top100 teams in the SEC. It obviously isn't a terrible conference this year. Without the stupid non con losses, the SEC is probably a top 4 conference this year.
As a Mizzou fan, I can't really compare much using this year's Mizzou team. Phil is our only returning player from last year still on the team. Dixon was a preseason AA and we lost him mid season. That was brutal for us because he was our "closer" who knew how to both win games and ice games in the final minutes. With Dixon, Pressey didn't get to handle the ball at the end of games and you can see why from this year.
This year's Mizzou team has struggled for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with the SEC:
1) Lost Dixon mid season
2) Bowers got hurt
3) Brown (a starter and great shooter) didn't get eligible until 2nd semester
4) Lost Bell for a few games
5) The distraction of the Haith/NCAA stuff obviously hurt the team for a few games
We are just now getting chemistry with our 7 man rotation. That is ridiculous given it is March but that has been our luck this year.
So, to make a long answer short, we have nothing to compare the SEC against because our team resembles nothing we have had before.
As a Mizzou fan, I can't really compare much using this year's Mizzou team. Phil is our only returning player from last year still on the team. Dixon was a preseason AA and we lost him mid season. That was brutal for us because he was our "closer" who knew how to both win games and ice games in the final minutes. With Dixon, Pressey didn't get to handle the ball at the end of games and you can see why from this year.
This year's Mizzou team has struggled for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with the SEC:
1) Lost Dixon mid season
2) Bowers got hurt
3) Brown (a starter and great shooter) didn't get eligible until 2nd semester
4) Lost Bell for a few games
5) The distraction of the Haith/NCAA stuff obviously hurt the team for a few games
We are just now getting chemistry with our 7 man rotation. That is ridiculous given it is March but that has been our luck this year.
So, to make a long answer short, we have nothing to compare the SEC against because our team resembles nothing we have had before.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 8:58 am to BluegrassBelle
Belle, While I think Noel is gone it actually makes more sense for him to return. I think some teams that might keep him as a Top 5 draft pick may not take the risk to do so this draft. I still think Nazr goes higher with the extra year at UK (granted the circumstances were different) and Noel could actually benefit from the extra year to show he has fully rehabbed.
Getting drafted from a team that may not make the NCAA or getting drafted from a Final Four team seems a no brainer but kids are kids.
Getting drafted from a team that may not make the NCAA or getting drafted from a Final Four team seems a no brainer but kids are kids.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:03 am to Sandtrap
quote:
Did both of these teams lose big-time talent that would make then both so much worse this year than last?
Texas A&M 2011-2012: 14-18 (4-14)
Texas A&M 2012-2013: 17-12 (7-9)
Not sure what your question is.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:04 am to notsince98
I couldnt have said it any better notsince98
This post was edited on 3/4/13 at 9:05 am
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:04 am to Cheese Grits
Even if he drops in the lottery, it's still guaranteed money and he'll simply draw a paycheck while he rehabs. His biggest ally is that this draft is probably the weakest it's been in years. So he's worth the investment even if he doesn't immediately take the court.
I know I couldn't in good conscience tell a kid to turn that kind of money down. It doesn't make much sense for him to return and risk another injury when he can go on to the NBA and get paid.
I know I couldn't in good conscience tell a kid to turn that kind of money down. It doesn't make much sense for him to return and risk another injury when he can go on to the NBA and get paid.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:05 am to notsince98
quote:
Without the stupid non con losses, the SEC is probably a top 4 conference this year.
That's the problem though. It's because those teams aren't very good that they have those stupid non-conference loses to begin with.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:08 am to BluegrassBelle
Arkansas had a chance to make a semi-SEC statement early in the year, but let Wiscy come back and win, lost a close one at home to Cuse, and within 1 at Michigan before they pulled away in the last 5 min.
Next year, Arkansas should be closing those games out. As it stands, we did manage to get a solid OOC win over OU.
Next year, Arkansas should be closing those games out. As it stands, we did manage to get a solid OOC win over OU.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:11 am to BluegrassBelle
The thing I see with SEC Bball is as someone else already stated, inconsistency.
Arkansas is probably the best example... world beaters at home and incredibly weak on the road. The team I saw in BWA Saturday could have given anyone in the nation a run for their money... but they go on the road and can't play dead in a John Wayne movie.
Kentucky to me looked to be very average at the guard position. Cauley-Stein and Poythress were solid inside and I'm sure Noel would have made them even more impressive. But they lacked the ability to shoot the 3 with consistency.
Overall I don't think the league is as weak as the national perception but we aren't exactly a bunch of powerhouses either.
Arkansas is probably the best example... world beaters at home and incredibly weak on the road. The team I saw in BWA Saturday could have given anyone in the nation a run for their money... but they go on the road and can't play dead in a John Wayne movie.
Kentucky to me looked to be very average at the guard position. Cauley-Stein and Poythress were solid inside and I'm sure Noel would have made them even more impressive. But they lacked the ability to shoot the 3 with consistency.
Overall I don't think the league is as weak as the national perception but we aren't exactly a bunch of powerhouses either.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:11 am to notsince98
quote:
There are 9 RPI top100 teams in the SEC. It obviously isn't a terrible conference this year
Agreed. I think the quality of the teams and conference is way overblown. The SEC doesn't have the star power that other conferences have, but there are several very solid teams.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:14 am to notsince98
quote:
1) Lost Dixon mid season
Dixon did not play a minute of basketball for Mizzou this year.....we didn't lose him "mid season"
Posted on 3/4/13 at 9:16 am to ElDawgHawg
Arkansas fan.. I met Sam Edwards at McDonald's yesterday him and I talked basketball and he is crazy tall.... Seems like a really nice kid
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