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Blue Ribbon's Early SEC Hoops Outlook, 2014-15
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:14 pm
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:14 pm
quote:
1. Florida
G Kasey Hill, 6-1 So.
G Eli Carter, 6-2 Jr.
G Michael Frazier, 6-4 Jr.
F Dorian Finney-Smith, 6-8 Jr.
F Chris Walker, 6-10 So.
Quick Outlook: The Gators return three key contributors in Frazier, Hill and Finney-Smith from a team that dominated the league in 2014. Look for a huge step forward from big man Chris Walker, who was hampered by eligibility issues early this season. If Rutgers transfer Eli Carter is healthy, Billy Donovan's team should be the class of the league again in 2015.
2. Kentucky
G Tyler Ulis, 5-8 Fr.
G Devin Booker, 6-6 Fr.
F Alex Poythress, 6-8 Jr.
F Karl Towns Jr., 7-1 Fr.
C Dakari Johnson, 7-0 So.
Quick Outlook: A strong performance in the tournament likely means the Wildcats will be without the Harrison twins next season, but another strong group of freshman led by National Player of the Year Karl Towns, Jr. should soften the blow. Big men Alex Poythress, Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee should all return making Kentucky's front-line among the best in the nation.
3. Tennessee
G Darius Thompson, 6-5 So.
G Robert Hubbs III, 6-6 So.
G Josh Richardson, 6-6 Sr.
F A.J. Davis, 6-9 So.
F Jarnell Stokes, 6-8 Sr.
Quick Outlook: Rumblings of Stokes' return to go along with NCAA Tourney star Josh Richardson and the development of Darius Thompson at the point guard position should make the Vols the third best team in the league next year. A lot's riding on former five-star wing Robert Hubbs III, who will be counted on to replace some of the scoring ability of Jordan McRae. There are also rumblings the Vols are in position to add former Tennessee State forward M.J. Rhett (eligible immediately), which would likely slide Davis to the bench.
4. Arkansas
G Anton Beard, 5-11 Fr.
G Rashad Madden, 6-5 Sr.
G Michael Qualls, 6-6 Jr.
F Bobby Portis, 6-10 So.
C Moses Kingsley, 6-10 So.
Quick Outlook: The Razorbacks nearly missed out on the NCAA Tournament spot last season. Head coach Mike Anderson is still looking for his first birth heading in to his fourth season and should get it. Madden, Qualls, Portis and Kingsley make up a strong nucleus. In fact, some believe Portis could make the biggest leap of any big man in the league. All eyes will be on freshman point guard Anton Beard, who could turn this in to a legitimate top 25 team.
5. LSU
G Anthony Hickey, 5-11 Sr.
G Josh Gray, 6-1 Jr.
G Keith Hornsby, 6-4 Jr.
F Jarell Martin, 6-9 So.
F Jordan Mickey, 6-8 So.
Quick Outlook: LSU saw Johnny O'Bryant III declare for the draft last week, but will get All-SEC Freshmen Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey back for another season on the bayou. JUCO guard Josh Gray and UNC-Asheville transfer Keith Hornsby will join senior Anthony Hickey in the backcourt. LSU should take another step forward next season, but lack of length on the perimeter could once again hold them back defensively. A big step forward from Martin could shoot the Tigers up this list.
6. Missouri
G Wes Clark, 6-0 So.
G Deuce Bello, 6-4 Jr.
G Cameron Beidschied, 6-7 So.
F Jakeenan Gant, 6-8 Fr.
F Johnathan Williams III, 6-9 So.
Quick Outlook: With Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown (likely) gone, the Tigers will turn to talented transfers Deuce Bello and Cameron Beidschied in the backcourt. Reliance on transfers has been common under coach Frank Haith and 2015 will be no different. Mizzou really struggled with post play at times last season, but John Williams III showed flashes of what he could be. More consistency from Williams and contributions from freshman Jakeenan Gant and this is a club that could surprise people, even without Clarkson and Brown.
7. Georgia
G Charles Mann, 6-5 Jr.
G Kenny Gaines, 6-3 Jr.
F Brandon Morris, 6-7 Jr.
F Marcus Thornton, 6-8 Sr.
F Nemi Djurisic, 6-8 Sr.
Quick Outlook: Georgia surprised everyone last season by finishing tied for second in the SEC. They were led by Charles Mann, one of the league's more under the radar players. They return in essence the entire team, a team that was harmed by poor play in the non conference season. If they carry their late season play over to November and December next year, Mark Fox could lead his club back to the NCAA Tournament, a place they haven't been since 2011.
The Rest
8. Alabama
9. Vanderbilt
10. South Carolina
11. Ole Miss
12. Auburn
13. Texas A&M
14. Mississippi State
Best Returning Player: Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee
Best Incoming Freshman: Karl Towns, Jr., Kentucky
Best Incoming Transfer: Eli Carter, Florida
Team That Could Surprise: Alabama
Most Intriguing Storyline: Bruce Pearl's Return to the League
Editor posted this on our premium board.
ESPN has UK #3, UF #8 and Tennessee among the teams that could crack the list before November.
11
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:15 pm to volfan30
quote:
12. Auburn
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:15 pm to volfan30
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:16 pm to volfan30
quote:
11. Ole Miss
frick you all. We gon shock the world!!! Mocha Hendo is coming.
This post was edited on 4/7/14 at 11:16 pm
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:17 pm to volfan30
Gary Parrish released his top 25
He has Florida at #5, Kentucky at #7
He has Florida at #5, Kentucky at #7
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:18 pm to parkjas2001
You're still going to suck next year
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:18 pm to parkjas2001
Bruce Pearl is not turning around Auburn in one year
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:20 pm to RTR America
I think the league should be improved next year looking at what I posted. 1-9 should all be pretty solid I think. Who knows what Auburn will look like, but they could definitely surprise.
As far as UK/UF, looks like the writer prefers Towns over Lyles. That will be interesting to watch.
As far as UK/UF, looks like the writer prefers Towns over Lyles. That will be interesting to watch.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:23 pm to volfan30
quote:
As far as UK/UF, looks like the writer prefers Towns over Lyles. That will be interesting to watch.
Towns sort has a leg up because he has played under Cal before. They both have pretty good range.
That frontline is going to be deadly next year because you could go two 7 footers with Towns and Dakari.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:26 pm to volfan30
Mizzou is too high on that list. No way they finish as high as 6. We literally lose like 80% of our offense and not one player returning or coming in next year has proven they can score on the D1 level. I'd pick Mizzou somewhere in the 8-10 range next year.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:28 pm to volfan30
quote:
All eyes will be on freshman point guard Anton Beard, who could turn this in to a legitimate top 25 team.
Arkansas is also adding another good JUCO PG to the roster in Durahm and a combo guard in Babb. Still have a shot at Atwood (not likely IMO) and Shane Henry (6'8 PF JUCO deciding between Arkansas and VT).
Clarke is the only Senior that will be missed next year, the rest will be addition by subtraction.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:33 pm to DaleDenton
What are people expecting out of Beard?
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:35 pm to reedus23
We are going to be awful next year. No PG, lose all of our scoring, and very little post play. Add that into the typical stout D of a Frank Haith team...well
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:35 pm to volfan30
quote:
What are people expecting out of Beard?
Some? Savior of the program.
Me personally, solid role player coming off the bench with Babb.
Durahm/Madden at the point during crunch time.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:36 pm to volfan30
I think we should be higher but maybe I'm too optimistic.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:36 pm to DaleDenton
Will be very interesting. Portis really impressed me this year and Kingsley is definitely useful. I am still not sold on Ark's guards, but if they improve Arkansas should be really good.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:38 pm to Bryant91092
Bama>Mizzou and UGA imo. But I understand putting UGA in the top half of the league. I would put Bama 6 with the chance to move up to 5 depending on what happens with Stokes/Rhett at Tennessee.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:39 pm to volfan30
A lot also depends on if we can land Jackson Davis/Jeff Garrett. We need post depth.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:40 pm to RTR America
quote:
Bruce Pearl is not turning around Auburn in one year
I can't say I argue with you about this on the surface. I think AU will be fortunate to make the NIT in his first year because of what he has to work with. I do think that he will fundamentally turn around how the team plays and trains. I think this will get more out of the players than what Barbee was getting. Maybe make the big tournament in his second year.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:41 pm to volfan30
quote:
I am still not sold on Ark's guards
Madden and Bell return, Gulley, Wade, Haydar, and Scott do not, finally.
If Qualls can improve his handles, he would be capable of playing the 2 instead of primarily the 3 when needed.
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