NCAA: SEC & C-USA Preview

By Bob Dachille

SEC The SEC once again sent a team to the NCAA championship game last season, except this time it wasn't Kentucky or Arkansas, it was the loaded Florida Gators. This season the Gators will slip a little due to the loss of Mike Miller and Donnell Harvey, and teams like Alabama and Arkansas will challenge for the SEC title. The SEC West will undergo a complete role reversal as it sees last year's powers, LSU and Auburn, slip and the Tide and Mississippi State move upward in the standings.

In the SEC East the "Big Three" will be at the top again. Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida all have the talent to win the division. Don't count South Carolina out of anything, just look at what their football team did. Georgia will still be going through a rebuilding season, but it does have coach Jim Harrick to lead them.

SEC East: 1. Tennessee. The Vols lose only one starter from their Sweet 16 team of last season. They return both players in the backcourt, including star point guard Tony Harris, who averaged 14.8 points per game and 4 assists per game. The frontcourt is led by Vincent Yarbrough and Isiah Victor, who combined for 24.5 points per game and 13 rebounds per game. Ron Slay should fill in nicely for the departed C.J. Black. Jerry Green may have a Final Four team on his hands.

2. Florida. The loss of Miller and Harvey will hurt, but the Gators have plenty of talent to make another run for the SEC title. Point guard Teddy Dupay has proven to be a great leader and big man Udonis Haslem was almost perfect in the NCAA Tournament, he also finished the championship game with 27 points in a losing effort. The loss of reserve Kenyan Weaks will also hurt the scoring, but coach Billy Donovan has had this Gator team at the top of scoring since he's been there.

3. Kentucky. The Wildcats lost only two players over the off-season. Too bad they both were centers, and combined for 21 points per game. Leadership won't be a problem with the coach's son Saul Smith leading the group. Tayshaun Prince showed he's for real last season and Keith Bogans can score, but his shooting is iffy (40% FG, 29% 3 PT). The Wildcats will have lots of problems in the beginning due to their frontcourt, but the solid backcourt should help them along.

The Rest: 4. South Carolina. Return four of last season's starters, but no one from last year's team averaged over 9 points per game. Chuck Eidson will lead them this season, but they need a second scorer.

5. Georgia. Don't be surprised if this team plays spoiler to a lot of powers this season. Still an over-.500 record would be very hard.

6. Vanderbilt. They lost their top two scorers, including SEC CO-Player of the Year Dan Langhi. They got a pretty good recruiting class, but this season won't be as good as last's.

SEC West: 1. Alabama. Not only did the Tide get the best recruiting class in the SEC, they return four out of five starters from last season. The Tide bring in Naismith High School Player of the Year Gerald Wallace to help strengthen the frontcourt. The backcourt is led by sophomore Rod Grizzard, who averaged over 13 points in his freshman season. The Tide have a great chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995, unless they end unlike their football team.

2. Arkansas. This team surprised everyone when they managed to win the SEC Tournament last season. They wouldn't have made the tournament last year if it wasn't for that heroic display, and that achievement will carry them into this season. They return four out of five starters and return leading scorer and rebounder Joe Johnson. Nolan Richardson has the talent to get himself yet another SEC title.

The Rest: 3. Auburn. A lot of people are expecting a great fall from last season. They have lost four starters, and will drop, but the Tigers bring in sniper Adam Harrington, who led N.C. State in his freshman season with them. The Tigers also return Scott Pohlman and Mark McGadney.

4. Mississippi State. Return four starters and bring in a McDonald's All-American in Mario Austin. The Dawgs could make the tournament for the first time since 1996.

5. LSU. They lost the best combination in the SEC in Stromile Swift and Jabari Smith. They do manage to return everyone else though.

6. Mississippi. Lost three key starters, but will be a tough team to play as always.

Conference USA American Division 1. Cincinnati. It's hard to go against a team that has been in the NCAA tournament for the past ten seasons. Although they aren't number one material this season they certainly are top ten. Kenny Satterfield and Steve Logan are huge pieces to the puzzle.

2. DePaul. The Blue Demons lose Quentin Richardson and Paul McPherson, but still return three good starters. Rashon Burno and Bobby Simmons will be the team leaders. Don't expect the Demons to pass Cincinnati this season.

3. Charlotte. The 49ers cut off the UNC from UNC-Charlotte, but that still won't help them win the division. They have the talent to put together a Sweet 16 team, however. They bring in the second best recruiting class in the conference, and return leaders Jobey Thomas and KenKay Jones. When they need help they can kick it out to senior Diego Gueverra.

The Rest. 4. Marquette. The Golden Eagles have been in a slump for the past couple of seasons and are trying to break out of it. It might not happen this season, but it's their best chance in the past couple of seasons.

5. Louisville. Denny Crum has lost a lot of talent, and is going to need some help. They need luck to get to the postseason.

6. Saint Louis. The Bilikins had an impressive season under first year coach Lorenzo Romar. They also will be known as the team who injured Kenyon Martin. This year, however, won't be as great as they love 18 point per game star Justin Love.

National Division. 1. Memphis. The Tiger have a new coach in John Calipari and are ready for this season. They return all five starters from last year's team. This team could be a huge factor come postseason time.

The Rest. 2. South Florida. They are at the same position that they are at every season. Bubble team. One never knows what the Bulls will be.

3. UAB. Not much is expected out of the Blazers this season, but they always seem to near the top of the standings.

4. Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles expect to make it to at least the NIT after a 17-12 season last year. They lose two starters, but neither of them were really good.

5. Tulane. Won't make postseason, but aren't as bad as Houston.

6. Houston. At least Clyde Drexler "retired".

Naismith Award Candidates

Loren Woods, Center (Arizona, Sr.) At first he was expected to be the next Tim Duncan at Wake Forest. That didn't work out. Then last season he was supposed to lead his Arizona team to the Final Four. He got injured, and that was that. Now this season he is expected to lead a loaded Arizona team to a national title run. Maybe third time's a charm.

Shane Battier, Forward (Duke, Sr.) Returned to Duke to lead the Devils to something that he's never had, a national title. He is a proven leader on a solid team. Look for him to be a clear First Team All-American choice.

Jamaal Tinsley, Guard (Iowa State, Sr.) Tinsley came to Iowa State from Brooklyn, but hasn't left his skills at home. He lead the Cyclones to an Elite Eight appearance and showed everyone that he's for real. Now that Marcus Fizer is gone the team is his.

Troy Murphy, Forward (Notre Dame, Junior) He was the Big East Player of the Year as a sophomore. Now that's saying something. He has all the skills and knows when to use them. Losing coach Matt Dougherty may have an effect though.

Article courtesy of CPKSPORTS.com