The NBA draft and the SEC have done an about-face. A year ago, the story was who left early. This summer, it’s who didn’t.

When the SEC basketball coaches dialed in a teleconference Monday, a common query was the impact the league will feel from the fact that so many of its marquee underclassmen decided to return to school rather than jump to the NBA draft.

The big four sophomores from NCAA champion Florida — Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green — all came back.

So did last year’s SEC player of the year, Glen Davis of LSU.

"It sends a great message to guys all over the country,’’ said Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings, "especially to the younger ones, that it’s not always the best thing to do to hop up to the NBA.’’

It also sends another message, which Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl was quick to decipher. Here’s Pearl:

"I know the challenges of Florida having everybody back and what that means for how difficult it’s going to be for anybody to win a championship in this league.’’

To summarize: Great message for the big picture, but in the short run, bad news for the other 11 SEC schools.

Some other guys came back, too. Ronald Steele, Jermario Davidson and Richard Hendrix of Alabama returned, as did Randolph Morris of Kentucky.

There were four defections, but at first look, they appear sound. Tyrus Thomas, Ronnie Brewer, Renaldo Balkman and Rajon Rondo all went in the first 21 picks of the first round.

What a contrast to 2005, when the SEC theme was the exodus of underclassmen.

The early departures included Matt Walsh and Anthony Roberson from Florida, Kennedy Winston from Alabama, Brandon Bass from LSU, Kelenna Azubuike from Kentucky and Olu Famutimi from Arkansas.

Only Bass was drafted, and in the second round.

Bass ended up splitting his year between the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets and the Developmental League. Roberson played a few games for the Memphis Grizzlies, some more in the D League.

Azubuike and Famutimi were D-Leaguers. Walsh and Winston ended up overseas, which at least pays better than the D League.

"This conference call last year, everybody was pretty much doomsday,’’ said South Carolina coach Dave Odom. "The SEC was finished, down in talent, no good teams.

"Obviously, none of that was true.’’

No, it wasn’t. Florida won it all. LSU reached the Final Four. South Carolina repeated as NIT champs. Tennessee won a shocking Eastern Division title.

This year’s underclassmen no doubt paid attention to the disastrous draft results of 2005. That’s especially true at Florida, where Walsh and Roberson had been caught off guard by their snub.

"Probably in retrospect, that was the best thing for Coach (Billy) Donovan’s program this year,’’ said Odom.

Said Donovan, "You’re dealing with different types of kids here.’’

Noah, Horford and Green are the sons of pro athletes. They’ve been schooled in the cold-hearted business side of sports.

"They understand about the process,’’ said Donovan. "It’s not about being drafted.’’

It’s about being able to actually make a team and stick with it long enough to earn the kind of money that changes your life.

By coming back to school another year, they have a chance to improve those odds.

"I think some kids in our league made great decisions,’’ said Alabama coach Mark Gottfried. "It helps our league.

"But at the end of the day, we’ll be judged on how well we do in March.’’

Next Noah?: After Noah’s eye-popping improvement from his freshman to his sophomore year at Florida, several programs are wondering if lightning could strike again. Arkansas coach Stan Heath said 7-footer Steven Hill is ready to blossom. At Kentucky, Tubby Smith is optimistic enough about 7-2 Jared Carter’s development to talk about playing Morris at power forward. And LSU’s John Brady says 6-10 Magnum Rolle might be the next big thing.

Still A Point: For now, Jamont Gordon is still Mississippi State’s top point guard, even though he seems better suited for another perimeter position.

"I don’t know that he’s a natural (point),’’ said coach Rick Stansbury. "But it’s not about skill level. The things he doesn’t do just takes experience.

"You’ve got to allow him to play to his strengths still. You’ve got to allow him to go score. That key is finding the right balance.’’

Notes: The NCAA denied Alabama’s appeal to get Chuck Davis a fifth year of eligibility. ? Georgia thinks junior-college transfer Takais Brown and incoming freshman Albert Jackson will dramatically impact the post game. ? Auburn could decide by September whether to build a new arena.

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com .