re: Looking forward: 2017-18 SEC Basketball season

I think it is hard right now to fully predict the SEC until we know who is returning and staying. Ole Miss returns everybody but Saiz and Brooks. We aren't going to replace Saiz production but we do have a seven foot transfer that is expected to replace Saiz minutes. The only reason I'm excited about next years team is Breein Tyree and Terence Davis. If Breein Tyree didn't tear his acl last year he would be one of the best freshmen in the SEC. Terence Davis is one of the best athletes in the SEC and has a chance to play at the next level if he continues to develop his game.

Schedule for Tennessee

Home Games

*Start of Home and Home with Power 5 School (Opponent not yet finalized)
*5th Buy Game
Auburn
Florida
Dec. 20 Furman
Kentucky
North Carolina
Lipscomb
Nov. 29 Mercer
LSU
Nov. 10 Presbyterian
South Carolina
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
2 of Alabama/Georgia/Mississippi State/Missouri/Ole Miss

Away/Neutral Site Games
Nov. 22 Battle 4 Atlantis Game 1(Arizona, North Carolina State, Northern Iowa, Purdue, SMU, Villanova and Western Kentucky; Paradise Island, Bahamas)
Nov. 23 Battle 4 Atlantis Game 2 (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
Nov. 24 Battle 4 Atlantis Game 3 (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
*Road/Neutral Site Power 5 Game (Possible SEC/Big 12 Challenge Game)
Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Georgia Tech
Kentucky
Missouri
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Dec. 23 Wake Forest
2 of Florida/LSU/Mississippi State/Ole Miss/Texas A&M

For Florida

Losses: Hill, Barry, Leon, likely Robinson

Newcomers: Jalen Hudson (Va Tech transfer), DeAundre Ballard (4* SG), Isaiah Stokes (4* C, brother of Jarnell), Chase Johnson (3/4* PF), Michael Okauru (3/4* PG), Dontay Bassett (RS PF)

Likely rotation

PG: Chiozza/Hester/Okauru
SG: Allen/Hester/Ballard
SF: Hudson/Ballard
PF: Stone/Bassett/Johnson
C: Hayes/Egbunu (whenever healthy)/Stokes/Gak

Wouldn't surprise me if Gak is processed

I don't expect another 14-4 season next year but I expect minimum a double bye and comfort on Selection Sunday

Stone will emerge as the SEC's version of Draymond minus the douchebaggary and wreck that a-hole

Ole Miss will continue to be Ole Miss. Thr only team other than Kentucky to not have a losing conference record the last six years, but nothing spectacular.

Loses Saiz and Brooks but have 2 4* coming in and had a 7 footer transfer from Drake and 6'11 European who sat out this year. Return 4 starters.

You managed to mention Ole Miss twice and leave out Florida (I assume Florida was one of the Ole Miss's), but good list

Although I'd include A&M in the "improve" list, and I don't think Vandy will be better. Losing Kornet will be a bigger blow than expected imo. He's the only thing who kept their interior defense and rebounding afloat.

Early power rankings

1) Kentucky
2) Florida
3) Alabama
4) Arkansas
5) Texas A&M
6) Tennessee
7) Mississippi State
8) Auburn
9) Ole Miss
10) South Carolina
11) Georgia
12) Vanderbilt
13) Missouri
14) LSU

Top 4 are clear tournament teams

5-12 are really close imo. All of those teams could be NIT-level or better

SEC basketball staaaacked

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3) Alabama

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They finished where they did this year because they lucked out catching teams when they were down. They may have finished #5 in the standings but they are not the 5th best team.

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Auburn sweeping Bama this year doesn't mean they have a better future

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Nope. And I didn't say that it did. But the fact that we have more talented and a better coach do.

I'd agree that they lucked out with their schedule, but they were 64th in KenPom (8 spots from the #6 team in the conference, UGA). The middle of the conference was a clusterfrick and it's really not clear who the best of those teams are. Alabama is in that group.

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Nope. And I didn't say that it did. But the fact that we have more talented and a better coach do.

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You don't have more talent.

Their likely core next year:

Sexton (5*, consensus Top 10 player)
Petty (borderline 5*, Top 30 player)
Ingram (3*, but was Alabama Mr. Basketball and was clearly underranked by national services)
Key (4*, Top 50 player)
Norris (4*, Top 100 player)
Hall (3*, but is on the NBA radar)
Giddens (4*, Top 50 player)
Reese (4*, Top 100 player)

That's a shite ton of talent, with a decent mix of experience as well. Auburn has a lot of talent too, but I'd call it a wash at best.

And the statement that Pearl is a better coach than Avery is questionable. I'm not a huge fan of either as in-game coaches.

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And the statement that Pearl is a better coach than Avery is questionable. I'm not a huge fan of either as in-game coaches.

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Pearl doesn't sound like a 60 yr old women that's been smoking cigarettes for 45 years. Advantage Pearl.