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Strange: Vols rule in '08, but what's next for SEC
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When Louisville curtailed the most successful winter in Tennessee men's basketball history Thursday night, it also turned out the lights on the SEC season.
Well, not completely.
The Vols were the last SEC team standing in the NCAA tournament. However, there are several stories afoot that will affect the 2008-09 season and beyond.
Florida and Ole Miss both play Tuesday in the NIT Final Four in Madison Square Garden. That's the least important item on the agenda.
Story one: South Carolina and LSU still have to hire coaches. South Carolina reportedly likes Western Kentucky's Darrin Horn and might be waiting to talk to Bob McKillop when Davidson's Cinderella run ends. LSU doesn't appear to be near a hire.
Story two: Top players such as Tyler Smith of Tennessee, Richard Hendrix of Alabama and Anthony Randolph of LSU must decide whether to opt for the NBA draft or return to college. Randolph is the highest rated in mock drafts but all three could be first-rounders.
Story three: A fierce recruiting battle over guard Scotty Hopson, a McDonald's All-American from Hopkinsville, Ky., involves Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi State.
While those plots play out, here's a look back and a look ahead.
Old business
Tennessee was the season-long standard-bearer for the SEC and did the league proud.
The Vols were projected to win the SEC regular-season and delivered at 14-2, the program's first outright title since 1967. A small victory, they even made the SEC tournament semifinals for the first time since 1991.
The win at Memphis on Feb. 23 earned Tennessee its first No. 1 ranking, though it lasted only a week. The 31 wins were a school-record (by five!). Back-to-back Sweet 16s was a first.
Florida not only didn't defend its NCAA tournament title, it didn't even earn the chance. The Gators can still make history as the first team to win NCAA and NIT titles back-to-back.
Kentucky rallied from a horrible start to keep its NCAA tournament streak alive. However, the streak of first-round wins ended at 17.
Vanderbilt saw Shan Foster win SEC player of the year, then gagged in the NCAA tourney against Siena.
South Carolina's uninspired start led to Dave Odom's January retirement announcement. The Gamecocks are looking for the next Bruce Pearl.
Georgia's forgettable season ended with a near-miraculous SEC tournament title that saved Dennis Felton's job.
Mississippi State won the SEC West and gave Memphis a good game in the NCAA round of 32.
Arkansas under-achieved with six seniors but at least ended an NCAA tournament victory drought dating to 1999.
Ole Miss's red-hot pre-conference start fizzled. The Rebels, though, are in the NIT Final Four for the first time.
LSU lost its best player, Tasmin Mitchell, to a season-ending knee injury then got coach John Brady fired. Interim replacement Butch Pierre did well enough to at least merit consideration.
Alabama coach Mark Gottfried sweated his job but got a reprieve, perhaps based on the absence of injured point guard Ronald Steele.
Auburn plodded along unnoticed for another year.
New business
On paper, Florida is positioned for a run at the 2008-09 SEC title. The Gators return everybody (assuming Marreese Speights doesn't jump to the NBA) and Billy Donovan has a pair of top-20 big men in yet another impressive recruiting class.
Tennessee will be a contender, especially if Tyler Smith returns. Wayne Chism's strong finish was encouraging.
The Vols, however, must retool on the perimeter and figure out where J.P. Prince will play. Redshirted Cameron Tatum should help and Hopson would be an impact addition.
Kentucky brings in blue-chip guards DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller to replace Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford. Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks will be healthy and ready to go.
Vanderbilt will be hard-pressed to approach its 24 wins. A.J. Ogilvy and Jermaine Beal are quality starters but the Commodores lost a lot of offense.
South Carolina has an impressive nucleus, but not much help on the way. The right coach could produce good results.
Georgia has a stud recruit in Howard Thompkins. Felton loses do-it-all Sundiata Gaines but the Bulldogs should be competitive.
In the West, Mississippi State has four starters back although forward Charles Rhodes will be tough to replace.
Alabama should compete for the title if Hendrix returns and Steele regains his old form at the point. Gottfried has recruited well and McDonald's All-American Jamychal Evans could even fill Hendrix' shoes.
LSU is a point guard away from making some noise. Even if Randolph opts to leave early incoming freshman center J'Mison Morgan is highly regarded. So far, however, LSU has signed neither a new coach nor a point guard.
Ole Miss loses the beef from its front line. Auburn loses its top two scorers but gets big men Josh Dollard and Korvotney Barber back from injuries.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by abnermc on March 29, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hendrix has announced he will leave early from Al
Posted by straightshooter on March 29, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Tyle Smith would be wise in deciding to stay another year. It will allow him time and with the solid coaching he will get to better whone his skills, develop better shot selection discipline and would benefit both himself and UT. While he obviously has talent, it is far from obvious he would be a first rounder and as far as a long term high profile career in the NBA, many players with better numbers in college have totally flopped in professional basketball. Tyle was the only player this year that could consistently create his own shot thus I suspect if he stays another year he will be the go to man unlike this year where he split the duties with Chris Lofton.
Posted by tenncorncob on March 29, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tyler needs the money. Sad but true. He is projected in first round in at least one mock draft. I would love for him to stay, but it weighs heavy on him to help his family.
Posted by 99gator on March 29, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
speights is probably gone from florida too.
Posted by mcbrim1998 on March 29, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Speights is not going anywhere.
Posted by mcbrim1998 on March 29, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Speights is not going anywhere.
Posted by Plasticman on March 29, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tyler could lose alot of money if he decides to come out. If he is a first round pick, which is questionable at this point, he would be a very late pick. Next year, he should be a lottery pick which would make him millions of more dollars. I would hate to see him become another Haislip by making the mistake of coming out too early.
Posted by bricker865 on March 29, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mcRim...how do you know dillweed?
Posted by Ironcity on March 29, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Tyler is a first round pick, I can't imagine him turning down a couple of million dollars guarenteed. Additionally he would be a junior if he had not gone to prep school so it makes sence that he will not be back.
Hope I am wrong but I would understand.
Posted by TK on March 30, 2008 at 2:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not BP for sure. I think a few things he may ask a few players to work on for next season.
Tyler - come back
Wayne - low post moves and then use them
JP - outside shot
Duke - temper..he always seemed to want to fight
Brian - weight room..get stronger
Ryan - lose weight to be quicker to play wing
Josh - ball handling to play some point
Ramar - FT,outside shot, when driving to hoop learn to pull up to draw defence
Just my thoughts...that are worth nothing.
Posted by davidray31 on March 30, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tyler needs to stay at least one more year.He is not ready yet.Louisville proved that.Come on back Tyler,we need you as well.
Posted by THE_VOL on March 30, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Those of you worried about Tyler leaving must be the same paranoid ones worried about BP leaving! NEITHER ARE GOING ANYWHERE! End of discussion!
tenncorncob - you have no clue about Tyler's finances so STFU and put the corn cob back where the sun doesn't shine!
TK - you're last line was the ONLY accurate one in that post!
TN "fans" should rename themselves the "PARANOIA PATROL!"
Posted by Plasticman on March 30, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THE_VOL, I hear Chris Lowe on the radio state he was 90% certain Tyler Smith was leaving for the NBA. THis was on Sports Talk show in Knoxville
Posted by johnlg00 on March 30, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, THE_VOL, you must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! Unless you are best friends of CBP and Tyler, I don't see how you can be so hostilely positive that they aren't going anywhere. For myself, I think it is about 90-10 that CBP will stay, but I don't know that FOR SURE as you seem to. Also, I think and hope that Tyler will stay, but, unlike you, I am not so positive that he WILL stay that I can tell those who think he might go to STFU! I also thought TK's suggestions for ways various players can improve were exactly right. In short, you are on the short end of opinions among most of the columnists and posters on this board on ALL of those issues, so pretensions to omniscience don't really become you without some evidence that you have reason to know so much more than the rest of us. You have the same right to your opinions as the rest of us, but you have no right to insist so condescendingly that everyone else's opinions are so inferior to yours.
Posted by GreerVol22 on March 30, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We did pretty well this year without a real point guard. But take Tyler from the post and we have 10+ more L's this season. Hopefully coach has his eye on a great point and a big physical man down low.
Posted by johnlg00 on March 30, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GreerVol22, CBP has already signed Daniel West, point guard from Chicago (I think); Philip Jurick, 6'11 post player from Chattanooga; and Woolridge (I want to call him "Orlando" but I think that is his dad), 6'8" post/wing from California. CBP seems to think all these might contribute as freshmen, but the returnees will get most of the playing time in the early going. If Wayne, Duke, Brian, and even Chilly improve in the off-season, we might have enough inside even if the freshmen don't contribute immediately. West will probably get the best chance to play early, simply because of the need at his position. I will be interested to see how much and in what ways Tatum and Tabb can contribute next year. I think most everyone agrees that Ramar and JP must improve markedly for next year. In any case, I think we have enough to be really good next year, despite overall improvement in the rest of the conference, but we may have to do it in a slightly different way.
Posted by asleep on March 30, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Richard Hendrix is my back-door neighbor (Athens, Alabama) so this is not just talk. He is entering the draft without an agent, leaving himself the option to return if his draft status isn't what he wants. I think he'll be back because he probably won't go in the first round. Plus, his parents are both teachers and I think they want him to stay in college as long as possible, even though he graduates this spring. Gottfried is such a bad bench coach I'm not sure if have Steele and Hendrix back would be enough. Without Hendrix, he's sunk for sure. I think we'll be OK if Tyler Smith stays. Just need a point guard. Lofton didn't have a good year so I don't think we will miss him as much next year as some might think. J. Smith will be tough loss but BP has recruited well so I think we should still be one of the top teams. Should be between us and the Gators for top dog in the SEC. As long as BP stays, we will always be in the mix - what a difference a coach can make! Go Vols!!!
Posted by jeremyinitalia on March 30, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
food for thought...because of prep school, etc., Tyler is 23...I don't know how much longer he wants to wait to start his NBA career regardless of whether he is a first rounder or not.
Posted by Plasticman on March 30, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pearl getting Scotty Hopson to sign is crucial. We need a shooter and without signing him, we will be void of an outside shooter next season. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the 3 pt. line is moved back next season. I think Tatum will be a major contributer next season as well.
Posted by phyllisgarcia on March 30, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hey i think that Tyler needs one more year and not decide to leave too soon chism you did good this year i love to watch him play as well as chris lofton the whole team is the best in my book
Posted by TK on March 30, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THE_VOL you need to take your meds and chill. According to you the only statment I made right was the last one? So, you want Tyler to leave? You do not thing JP needs to work on his outside shooting? And Brian Williams does not need to get stronger in those chicken wing arms of his? OK...we must have been watching two different teams.
Posted by bigfan502 on March 30, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ken tucky returns with the usual All-americans and as usual will be the SEC favorite next season. For some reason the cats seem to recruit thr top players....HOW? Cat fans are wild over basketball recruits...this for them is about as one cat fan said " ITS ALL WE GOT.
Posted by foreverorange on March 30, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im not saying tyler is staying or leaving, but why would someone who tattooed TENNESSEE across his chest in big letters not want to come back for at least one more year. Doesnt make sense.
Posted by redneckerson on March 30, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thevol should rename himself the arrogantnarcissist.
Posted by TK on March 30, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Tyler were to leave it would be because he needs $$$. I have not heard much about his living situation since his dad passed away or bills that may have added up with his dad's sickness. I do think if Tyler comes back Bruce would play him more on the wing to better showcase his skills for the NBA. Also out of need if UT can not sign Hopson.
Posted by johnlg00 on March 31, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TK, I think it was your statement, "Just my thoughts...that are worth nothing", that THE_VOL was referring to. FWIW, I found nothing wrong with any of your suggestions. As I said, I just think T_V had a bad night; sometimes he makes sense, and sometimes in a relatively civil way. We need to encourage him to do more of that.
On other subjects, as I have said before, I HOPE Tyler stays another year. It would be good, basketball-wise, for both him and the team. On the other hand, there are reasons why he might feel he has to go pro, even if he is not a high draft choice. I think Tyler could be very good on the wing, and since we will have seven or eight guys, returning and incoming, 6'7" or better on the squad, we can spare Tyler from the post rotation. As for Scotty Hopson, there is little doubt that he is very talented, but he also seems to be pretty full of himself. He may not want, or take well to, much discipline at his apparent present level of maturity. If he comes here, CBP may be able to control him, but he could be a distraction. If he doesn't come, the team could still be very good next year, though the emphasis will be more on the "controlled" part of "controlled chaos" than on the "chaos" part(;-P)!
Posted by easton3 on April 2, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The kids name is JaMychal GREEN.
Alabama had a top 10 class this year also.
If any of you watched the McDonald's highschool All-American game, you would have seen that J.Green looked like the best "big man" on the floor. He had 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots in 14 minutes without any passing from the guards. The guards did nothing but drive and shoot all night long.
Gottfried sucks, but Hendrix will be back and Bama will be a contender next year. Of course, so will UT.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
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