SEC Notebook
by Ryan Glenn
Entering the first week of December, Alabama has survived as the only undefeated team in the conference as the “Mid-Majors” have shined against some of the conference powerhouses. However, with the talented teams some are playing early in the season, it really is not too unexpected.
Despite missing Jermareo Davidson in the first round, the Crimson Tide were able to make it though the field of the Paradise Jam and came away with wins against Middle Tennessee State, Iowa, and Xavier. Alonzo Gee was named MVP of the tournament after averaging 15.3 points in each contest.
In one of though most highly-touted matches of November, Florida made a trip out west to play Kansas in the Las Vegas Invitational. The Gators got a tip-in by Joakim Noah at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime, but were unable to take control as they ultimately fell to the Jayhawks 80-82.
Tennessee lost their semifinal game against eventual Preseason NIT Champion Butler. At first glance, this loss looked pretty bad for the Vols, but after Butler went on to beat Gonzaga in the championship game, the loss does not seem nearly as tragic. The Vols’ defeat landed them in the consolation game against a North Carolina team also coming off a loss. The Vols were nearly blown out early in the first half, but managed to stay in contention. After being down 23 points just minutes into the second half, they had a string of four three-pointers to cut the lead down to 13. Following the beginning of a comeback, the team’s leading scorer thus far, JaJuan Smith, was ejected for a flagrant person foul on Tyler Hansbrough. That moment would end the momentum for Tennessee as they fell to the Tar Heels 101-87. Chris Lofton ended up matching Smith as the leading scorers for the team with 18 points apiece.
Arkansas survived in overtime of the opening round of the Old Spice Classic against Southern Illinois. They then beat Marist and West Virginia to take the tournament title. Off to a 5-0 start, The Razorbacks had 24 turnovers against Missouri as received their first loss 64-86.
Kentucky is off to a slow 4-3 start, but when you look at their losses, the record does not look nearly as bad. Losses to UCLA, Memphis, and North Carolina can been seen by the Wildcats as experience builders. When conference play comes, expect to see more from the freshmen, particularly Derrick Jasper.
Ole Miss is off to a 7-1 start, their best since 2000. The good news for the Rebels is that they have had all of this success with without their star center Dwayne Curtis. Curtis could make a return for the Memphis game on December 9th, but as long as he returns healthy in 1-2 weeks, this team will get nothing but better.
