SEC preview (Part Six)
The opening of college basketball season is only days away. To preview the upcoming year, Ross Lancaster takes a look at the SEC, as well as a preview of this week's Coaches vs. Cancer Classic tournament in New York.
by Ross Lancaster Sports Central columnist
The SEC has been a great power conference for not only football, but for basketball, as well. With two probable Top 10 teams, the conference looks to be as good as ever. SEC Projected Standings
Eastern Division 1. Kentucky 2. Florida 3. Tennessee 4. South Carolina 5. Georgia 6. Vanderbilt
Western Division 1. Alabama 2. Ole Miss 3. Auburn 4. Arkansas 5. Mississippi St. 6. LSU All-SEC First Team G Brett Nelson, Florida G Keith Bogans, Kentucky C Udonis Haslem, Florida F Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky F Rod Grizzard, Alabama
Coach of the Year: Buzz Petersen, Tennessee Player of the Year: Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky
Kentucky, once again, is the team to beat in the SEC. The return of guard/forward Tayshaun Prince, guard Keith Bogans, and tremendous depth has this team ready for another championship run.
Florida, who may be a national title contender, as well, is put second in their division. The banning of Teddy Dupay will create a gap, but, still, existing frontcourt and backcourt presence will give Kentucky a chief competitor in the East, and in the conference.
Tennessee looks to rebound after a flat season last year, which resulted in the firing of coach Jerry Green and missed expectations. However, new coach Buzz Petersen will motivate this team into the NCAA Tournament.
The SEC West, as usual, looks to be far inferior to their counterparts in the East. However, at the top of the division looks to be Alabama, a team that has brought a sense of basketball optimism to football-crazy Tuscaloosa. Rod Grizzard is determined to finally lead this team into the NCAAs, in what is sure to be his final season at Alabama. Ole Miss lost a lot from last year's Sweet 16 club, but still has enough left to make a return to the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Tournament teams: Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss
Also, Thursday marks the beginning of college basketball for 2001-2002 with the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Temple will play Florida and Maryland will play Arizona at Madison Square Garden in New York. In these games, my projection is for Florida and Maryland to meet up in the championship game Friday night, with Maryland picking up two big wins to start their season.
Article courtesy of Sports Central.
The SEC has been a great power conference for not only football, but for basketball, as well. With two probable Top 10 teams, the conference looks to be as good as ever. SEC Projected Standings
Eastern Division 1. Kentucky 2. Florida 3. Tennessee 4. South Carolina 5. Georgia 6. Vanderbilt
Western Division 1. Alabama 2. Ole Miss 3. Auburn 4. Arkansas 5. Mississippi St. 6. LSU All-SEC First Team G Brett Nelson, Florida G Keith Bogans, Kentucky C Udonis Haslem, Florida F Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky F Rod Grizzard, Alabama
Coach of the Year: Buzz Petersen, Tennessee Player of the Year: Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky
Kentucky, once again, is the team to beat in the SEC. The return of guard/forward Tayshaun Prince, guard Keith Bogans, and tremendous depth has this team ready for another championship run.
Florida, who may be a national title contender, as well, is put second in their division. The banning of Teddy Dupay will create a gap, but, still, existing frontcourt and backcourt presence will give Kentucky a chief competitor in the East, and in the conference.
Tennessee looks to rebound after a flat season last year, which resulted in the firing of coach Jerry Green and missed expectations. However, new coach Buzz Petersen will motivate this team into the NCAA Tournament.
The SEC West, as usual, looks to be far inferior to their counterparts in the East. However, at the top of the division looks to be Alabama, a team that has brought a sense of basketball optimism to football-crazy Tuscaloosa. Rod Grizzard is determined to finally lead this team into the NCAAs, in what is sure to be his final season at Alabama. Ole Miss lost a lot from last year's Sweet 16 club, but still has enough left to make a return to the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Tournament teams: Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss
Also, Thursday marks the beginning of college basketball for 2001-2002 with the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Temple will play Florida and Maryland will play Arizona at Madison Square Garden in New York. In these games, my projection is for Florida and Maryland to meet up in the championship game Friday night, with Maryland picking up two big wins to start their season.
Article courtesy of Sports Central.
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