SEC 2006-07 Preview
by Ryan Glenn
The SEC enters this season with high expectations coming off of a 13-5 record in the NCAA Tournament including the National Champion Florida and Final Four team LSU. South Carolina also came away with their second straight NIT title, which can be seen as both good and bad. After some doubts of the talent in the conference last year, the bottom line is that the SEC is one of the toughest conferences top to bottom and there are no signs of that changing this year. Florida comes back with all of their starters from their championship run and they are going to be the team everyone is gunning for.
The Gators will not have it easy in the SEC East with Kentucky, Tennessee, and even Vanderbilt eyeing the division crown. In the SEC West, Alabama and LSU look to lead the division yet again as the two power houses should be neck and neck in the standings all season. Arkansas will be right behind them as they try to move on without their star in Ronnie Brewer. Ole Miss returns this year with Andy Kennedy as their new coach. Kennedy should, in time, should help the Rebels climb up the division. Similar to last year, expect there to be a team or two that really surprises everyone. Every team in the SEC has the talent to win, but it will be the team chemistry and their ability to handle the conference games that will ultimately send a team like Arkansas or Vanderbilt to the top of the league.
It is really too early to be projecting for March, but with the talent in this league, the SEC could see seven teams going to the big dance and a team cutting down the nets twice in Atlanta – after the SEC Tournament and the Final Four. Don’t think so? Let’s talk in January.
Preseason All-SEC Team
First Team
Ronald Steele, Jr. G, Alabama
Chris Lofton, Jr. G, Tennessee
Glen Davis, Jr. F, LSU
Joakim Noah, Jr. F/C, Florida
Al Horford, Jr. F/C, Florida
Second Team
Taurean Green, Jr. G, Florida
Jamont Gordon, So. G/F, Mississippi State
Shan Foster, Jr. G/F, Vanderbilt
Corey Brewer, So. F, Florida
Jermareo Davidson, Jr. C, Alabama
Hoopville’s Preseason Awards
MVP: Joakim Noah
Noah comes back as a Final Four MVP and leading scorer on the National Championship Gator team. While there is tremendous talent on the team. Noah’s presence down-low is something nobody has been able to contain.
Freshman of the Year: Duke Crews
Crews will play a crucial role in the success of Tennessee this year. A breakout year from Crews could give the Vols the boost they need to be come a national contender.
Newcomer of the Year: Sonny Weems
This talented JuCo will have the opportunity to have a tremendous season for Arkansas.
Defensive Player of the Year: Corey Brewer
The athletic big-man should continue to force turnovers and block plenty of shots.
Coach on the Hot Seat: Tubby Smith
While they do say that every coach at Kentucky is always on the hot seat at Kentucky, for Tubby Smith, that seat is getting quite toasty. Disappointing teams, loaded with talent, in the past few years have many questioning the coach who brought the Wildcats their last championship.
SEC East
1. Florida Gators
33-6 (10-6) 2nd in SEC East
Projected Starters:
G – Taurean Green, Jr.
G – Lee Humphrey, Sr.
F – Corey Brewer, Jr.
F/C – Al Horford, Jr.
F/C – Joakim Noah, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Kansas 11-25, vs. Ohio State 12-23, vs. Tennessee 2-3, @ Kentucky 2-10, vs. Alabama 2-14, @LSU 2-24, vs. Kentucky 3-4.
An obvious choice for the top spot in the SEC, Florida returns all of the starters from their National Championship team. There is no question that the team is talented enough, but could the Gators struggle in the conference? It must be remembered that this same Championship team did not even win the SEC East last year and were nearly upset by South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship game. Many of the coaches in the SEC will be ready for the Gators of last season. Coach Billy Donovan’s challenge will be changing this team for the better. Expect to see Chris Richard and Walter Hodge on the court more often this year. Even with the changes that ultimately must be made, Florida has a great shot in winning the SEC and defending their title.
2. Kentucky Wildcats
22-13 (9-7) 3rd in SEC East
Projected Starters:
G – Ramel Bradley, Jr.
G – Joe Crawford, Jr.
F – Bobby Perry, Sr.
F – Sheray Thomas, Sr.
F/C – Randolph Morris, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Chaminade/UCLA 11-21 (Maui Invitational), @ North Carolina 12-2, vs. Indiana 12-9, @ Louisville 12-16, vs. Tennessee 1-28, vs. Florida 2-10, @ Tennessee 2-13, @ Florida 3-4
In Kentucky, fans are starting to get antsy. The Big Blue had high hopes going into last season, but they just could not seem to find a rhythm, or at least not consistently. The Wildcats come back this season without their streaky shooter Patrick Sparks and the very talented point guard Rajon Rondo, who left the team to enter the NBA draft.
The outlook in Lexington is not too bleak though, as the starting five looks to be composed entirely of upperclassmen with plenty of experience. Bobby Perry has been on the verge of having a breakout season since his sophomore year and is ready to become a full-time starter. Though he was somewhat of a success last season, much bigger things were expected for Randolph Morris. Morris will be looked to for a bulk of the team’s scoring inside, and should be dependable for those points. Ramel Bradley has the biggest challenge in taking over for Rondo at point. Bradley has played in Rondo’s shadow for two years, but even then as made an impact with this team averaging 7.9 points a game. If this team can come together, the talent is there for Kentucky to win the SEC East.
3. Tennessee Volunteers
22-8 (12-4) 1st in SEC East
Projected Starters:
G – Chris Lofton, Jr.
G – Dane Bradshaw, Sr.
G – Ramar Smith, Fr.
F – Wayne Chism, Fr.
F – Duke Crews, Fr.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Memphis 12-6, vs. Oklahoma State 12-18, vs. Texas 12-23, @ Vanderbilt 1-10, @ Ohio State 1-13, @ Kentucky 1-28, @ Florida 2-3, vs. LSU 2-6, vs. Kentucky 2-13, vs. Tennessee 2-21, vs. Florida 2-27
Tennessee thought it was rough enough losing their point guard and senior leadership in C.J. Watson; however, after the dismissal of Major Wingate, there was even more to worry about in Knoxville. The good news? The Vols return their star in Chris Lofton and his amazing shooting abilities and bring in three of the most highly-touted freshman to help fill the void. Lofton blossomed last year as one of the best shooting guards in the country and should continue that this season.
Duke Crews is the most likely newcomer to make an instant impact with his rebounding ability down-low and has some watching him as a potential Freshman of the Year candidate. Ramar Smith should take over the point guard spot and help take over for the departed Watson. The key aspect to watch with Smith will be his ability to adjust to Bruce Pearl’s very up-tempo system. Completing the frosh trio, Wayne Chism comes in matching Ryan Childress as the tallest players on the team at 6’9″. Chism will compliment Crews down low nicely and should give this team a better presence on the post.
If it were not for the three freshmen in the starting the line up, this team would be projected to finish higher. The good news for Tennessee is that they can finish much higher as they bring in the talent to avenge last year’s early exit in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments.
4. Vanderbilt Commodores
17-13 (7-9) 4th in SEC East
Projected Starters:
G – Alex Gordon, Jr.
G/F – Shan Foster, Jr.
G/F – Derrick Byars, Sr.
F – Ross Nelter, Jr.
C – Ted Skuchas, Sr.
Schedule Highlights: vs Georgetown 11-15, vs. Tennessee 1-10, vs. Alabama 1-17, @ Tennessee 2-10, vs. Florida 2-17
Vanderbilt enters this season with a new sense of identity. DeMarre Carroll and Julian Terrell, who each averaged over 10 points a game, are gone, leaving this team with many questions to be answered about its frontcourt. The other player not returning this season is Mario Moore. Moore struggled with on and off-court issues all season and it will help this team to finally not have this distraction.
Despite the problems down low, the backcourt for Vandy could end up being one of the best in the conference. Shan Foster shows no signs of slowing down after two great years in the conference and will lead this team in scoring, possibly improving on his 15.9 ppg from last season. Derrick Byars will continue to be a consistent double-digit scorer. One key factor to success for Vandy will be point guard Alex Gordon. Gordon decreased his scoring average last season slightly from his freshman year, despite averaging 7 minutes of more playing time. The two newcomers that should help the frontcourt will be LSU transfer Ross Nelter and JeJuan Brown. Both are relatively inexperienced, but the potential for both is high.
5. South Carolina
23-15 (6-10) 5th in SEC East
Projected Starters:
G – Tre’ Kelley, Sr.
G/F – Dwayne Day, Jr.
G/F – Bryce Sheldon, Sr.
F – Brandon Wallace, Sr.
F – Dominique Archie, Fr.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Kansas 1-7, vs. Florida 1-13, @ Tennessee 1-20, @ Kentucky 2-7, @ Florida 2-21, @ LSU 3-3
After the bittersweet celebration of their second-straight NIT championship, there are many questions left to be answered for South Carolina. With the departures of Tarence Kinsey (graduated) and Renaldo Balkman (left for the NBA Draft), the Gamecocks will be looking for Brandon Wallace and Dwayne Day to step up and complement leading scorer Tre’ Kelley. Kelley comes back as the team’s only player averaging over 10 points a game. Between Day and Wallace, Day will have the biggest change to undergo this season. After averaging just 14.3 minutes a game, Coach Dave Odom will be counting on him to play significantly more and improve on his 4.8 ppg. Redshirt freshman Dominique Archie should give the Gamecocks a more versatile option from inside and out.
While they probably will not been seen playing in the NCAA Tournament, Dave Odom has proven his teams can compete come March. Unless they make a run in the SEC Tournament once again this year, expect to see South Carolina in the NIT going for a three-peat.
6. Georgia
15-15 (5-11) 6th in SEC East
Projected Starters:
G – Channing Toney, Jr.
G – Levi Stukes, Sr.
G – Sundiata Gaines, Jr.
F – Takais Brown, Jr.
C – Dave Bliss, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: @ Georgia Tech 12-22, vs. Wisconsin 12-31, @ Florida 1-6, @ Alabama 1-20, vs. LSU 1-28, vs. Florida 2-7, @ Kentucky 2-28, vs. Tennessee 3-3
Though they are projected by many to round out the bottom of the SEC East, Dennis Felton’s team returns four starters with plenty of experience and just may surprise a few people once SEC play begins. The lone starter not to return for the Bulldogs was Younes Idrissi, who accounted for just 6.5 ppg. The backcourt is definitely the strongest point entering the season. Levi Stukes leads the team in scoring with 11.6 ppg and also averaged 3.1 rebounds a game. The other two members of the backcourt, Sundiata Gaines and Channing Toney, should average over ten points a game. Underneath, Dave Bliss, who has not put up good numbers thus far, will be joined by JuCo transfer Takais Brown. Brown is an athletic big man who should help the ravaged frontcourt.
While you should not expect to be seeing Georgia competing much in the SEC East race this season, you should keep a close on eye on this team as home games with Wisconsin, LSU, Florida, and Tennessee provide prime opportunities for the Bulldogs to pull a big upset.
SEC West
1. Alabama
18-13 (10-6) 2nd in SEC West
Projected Starters:
G – Ronald Steele, Jr.
G – Brandon Hollinger, So.
F – Richard Hendrix, So.
F – Alonzo Gee, So.
F/C – Jermareo Davidson, Sr.
Schedule Highlights: vs Oklahoma 1-1, vs. LSU 1-9, @ LSU 1-31, @ Florida 2-14, @ Tennessee 2-21
After losing Chuck Davis early last season, this team came together and had to move on without him. The Crimson Tide went on the have a pretty successful season and were just narrowly defeated by eventual tournament runner-up UCLA. The good news this season is that they bring back basically the same starting lineup that is loaded with talent and experience. Ronald Steele and Jermareo Davidson look primed and ready to have this year’s team competing for a national title. Each averaged 14.3 points and Davidson pulled down nearly nine rebounds a game. Sophomores Alonzo Gee and Richard Hendrix will have much improved numbers this year and both should be able to raise their scoring averages into the double digits.
Aside from possibly the game with Oklahoma and a possible matchup with Villanova in the Paradise Jam Preseason tournament, Alabama does not have a very challenging non-conference schedule. This may cause a few problems when they play LSU and other conference foes early in SEC Play. Barring a complete collapse, Alabama should have what it takes to make in run deep in the tournament come March.
2. LSU
27-9 (14-2) 1st in SEC West
Projected Starters:
G – Tack Minor, Jr.
G – Garrett Temple, So.
F – Tasmin Mitchell, So.
F – Darnell Lazare, Sr.
F/C – Glen Davis, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Wichita State 11-25, vs. Texas 12-10, @ Washington 12-20, vs. UConn 1-6, @ Alabama 1-9, @ Arkansas 1-20, @ Tennessee 2-6, vs. Florida 2-24
The LSU team that went to the Final Four may be missing some pieces, but this year’s team is looking for a repeat performance. Darrel Mitchell is gone, along with his 16.8 points per game, and Tyrus Thomas left after just one year. This is all overshadowed by the decision of Glen “Big Baby” Davis to stay and try to bring a title to Baton Rouge. Davis returns 40 pounds lighter than last season and could have an even more dominating season as he looks to average close to 20 points a contest. Tasmin Mitchell and Darnell Lazare will complete the frontcourt for Tigers. Mitchell looks to improve on his outstanding freshman season and his 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Tack Minor will return as the point guard after missing all but three games last season with various issues. As a sophomore two years ago, Minor started every game and averaged 10.8 points and 4.6 assists for the season. Terry Martin, a Texas Tech transfer eligible to play after the fall semester should give the Tigers a nice addition and adds depth to their perimeter.
The Tigers have a great chance to impress the country with some of their non-conference games. If they are going dominate the SEC as they did last year, they must have a good showing and at least win two out of the three games with Texas, Washington, and UConn. It is possible that they will come away with victories in all three, if that happens, Tiger fans may want to start searching for tickets to Atlanta.
3. Arkansas
22-10 (10-6) 2nd in SEC West
Projected Starters:
G – Patrick Beverly, Fr.
G – Gary Ervin, Jr.
G/F – Sonny Weems, Jr.
F – Charles Thomas, Jr.
C – Steven Hill, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Southern Illinois 11-23, @ Texas 12-20, @Florida 1-9, vs. LSU 1-20, @ Alabama 1-27, vs. Kentucky 2-3, @ LSU 2-10, vs. Tennessee 2-24
Arkansas comes back minus three guards who accounted for 57% of the team’s scoring last season. The absence of Ronnie Brewer, Jonathon Modica, and Eric Ferguson from the starting lineup is going to mean a season of change. Coach Stan Heath brings in three fresh faces in Patrick Beverly, Gary Ervin, and Sonny Weems. Beverly is deadly from behind the arc and should contribute often to the team’s scoring. The key to success for the Razorbacks will be the play of transfers Ervin and Weems. Ervin, who sat out last year after transferring from Mississippi State, should be ready to shine with his talent and conference experience. Weems is a JuCo who averaged 15.7 points a game and should help the lack of depth at guard. Charles Thomas should also see a big improvement after two years in the conference. The junior averaged 9.7 points while snagging 5 rebounds a game last year.
When many think of the SEC West, Alabama and LSU are the ones that come to mind. This year those thoughts just may change. The Hogs may not finish above the two powerhouses, but they will sure give them a run for their money. Though they could miss the NCAA Tournament with a few miscues, it would not be a surprise to see them get hot down the stretch and make a run to the Sweet 16.
4. Mississippi State
15-15 (5-11) 4th in SEC West
Projected Starters:
G – Jamont Gordon, So.
G/F – Reginald Delk, So.
G/F – Dietric Slater, Sr. (Richard Delk, G, So. until January)
F – Travis Gabbidon, Jr.
F/C – Charles Rhodes, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: @ George Mason 12-30, @ Kentucky 1-13, vs. Florida 1-24, vs. LSU 2-3, @ Alabama 2-7, @ LSU 2-17, vs. Alabama 3-4
After a year full of inexperience and inconsistency, Coach Rick Stansbury has laid the foundation for a much-improved team. The Bulldogs are without Jamall Edmondson and Wesley Morgan, who accounted for 15.5 points a game last season. Jamont Gordon, who led the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and had 6.8 rebounds per game, and Charles Rhodes, the leading rebounder (7.1 per game), are back and should continue to head the stat sheet in both categories. They will have some help from Reginald Delk, who now has a year of experience under his belt and should improve on his 8.9 points per game from last season. One blow for the Mississippi State squad will be the loss of Dietric Slater until January due to suspension. Slater is averaging 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds a game and should help greatly when he returns just after conference play begins. If this team can show some toughness during their non-conference slate, they might use Slater’s return to help them make a push for the Big Dance. If they can not, they will be lucky to make the NIT.
5. Auburn
12-16 (4-12) 5th in SEC West
Projected Starters:
G – Frank Tolbert, Jr.
G – Quantez Robertson, So.
G – Rasheem Barrett, So.
F – Josh Dollard, So.
F – Korvotney Barber, So.
Schedule Highlights: vs. Wisconsin/Missouri St. (South Padre Island Invitational) 11-25, vs. Pittsburgh 12-3, vs. Texas A&M 12-22, @ LSU 1-13, vs. Tennessee 1-17, vs. Alabama 1-23, @ Alabama 2-24, vs. LSU 2-28
Though Auburn comes back this season without leading scorer Ronny LeMelle, they bring back four starters, including three talented sophomores that now have that crucial first year under their belt. Rasheem Barrett, an SEC All-Freshman, is the leading returning scorer and should produce better numbers along with fellow All-Freshman member Quantez Robertson. Robertson averaged eight points and four rebounds a game, but should see the biggest increase of the two with the departure of LeMelle. Korvotney Barber will try to rebound from his disappointing freshman year. Barber did average nearly seven points a game, but was expected to be in the double digits. Home games with Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, and Tennessee will give the Tigers an opportunity to show the nation this year’s new experience team. How Auburn does in the South Padre Island Invitational should give an early glimpse of this overlooked SEC talent.
6. Mississippi
14-16 (4-12) 5th in SEC West
Projected Starters:
G – Todd Abernethy, Sr.
G – Justin Cerasoli, So.
G – Bam Doyne, Sr.
F/C – Jermey Parnell, Jr.
C – Dwayne Curtis, Jr.
Schedule Highlights: @ UConn 11-19, @ Memphis 12-9, @ LSU 1-17, @ Florida 1-20, vs. Tennessee 1-24, vs. Alabama 2-10, vs. LSU 2-14, @ Alabama 2-28
Ole Miss has a rarity in the SEC, a team that returns plenty of leadership and experience. Dwayne Curtis, who is going to miss 2-4 weeks with a stress fracture in his left foot, should continue his dominance down low barring any further injuries. Guards Todd Abernethy and Bam Doyne will show improvement as they make their senior season count. Justin Cerasoli, a talented transfer from Seton Hall who averaged 6.3 points as a freshman, should take over and make an impact at point guard. New coach Andy Kennedy will bring changes to this team, but unless something drastic happens, it will not happen this season. The NIT would be a nice goal for this team, but even that could be a stretch.
