2013-2014 SEC Basketball Preview
Oct 17, 2013; Birmingham, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers player Jordan McRae talks with the media during the SEC media days at The Westin Birmingham. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
The SEC is gearing up for another basketball season and while it might not have the plethora of national title contenders of other conferences, there is definitely no short of talent. The rich history of the Southeastern Conference extends well past the gridiron, as multiple programs boast national titles — three in the past seven seasons. This season the conference will look to it’s most storied program to continue it’s championship tradition.
Projected Order of Finish:
1. Kentucky Wildcats (National Champions)
The Kentucky Wildcats enter the 2013-2014 season with high expectations after landing what is possibly the greatest recruiting class in the history of college basketball. Six McDonald’s All-Americans, including the top player in the country Julius Randle, join Alex Proythress and Willie Cauley-Stein to help Kentucky return to basketball glory after a disappointing season that ended in a 1st round NIT exit. In John Calipari’s three seasons as UK’s head coach, the Wildcat program has been a factory for NBA talent and this season’s team is no different. With potential lottery picks flooding the roster, the Wildcats will likely contend for another national title and Calipari will again have to reload for next season.
2. Tennessee Volunteers (Sweet 16)
Cuonzo Martin enters his 3rd season as Tennessee head coach, and he has arguably one of the most talented teams in program history. A solid balance of perimeter and big men should have the Vols competing for the SEC championship. SEC Player of the Year candidate Jordan McRae, guard Josh Richardson, and big men Jarnell Stokes and Jeronne Maymon are joined by incoming 5* freshman guard Robert Hubbs and Memphis transfer Antonio Barton and a deep bench with hopes of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years. Martin has never made the NCAA Tournament as a head coach and this team will be his best shot to do so.
3. Florida Gators (Elite 8)
Billy Donovan, the Dean of SEC coaches, is back for his 18th season in Gainesville. Fresh off another deep NCAA Tournament run in which his Florida Gators reached the Elite 8, Donovan will use a mix of talented upperclassmen with fresh faces to attempt another run. Senior Patric Young and Junior Scottie Wilbekin return and welcome newcomers in transfers Dorian Finney-Smith from Virginia Tech and Damontre Harris from South Carolina to go along with McDonald’s All-American guard Kasey Hill. The Gators have advanced to three consecutive Elite 8’s and hope to make the next step into this season’s Final Four.
4. LSU (Round of 32)
The up-and-coming program in the SEC this season is the LSU Tigers. Anchored by All-SEC F Johnny O’Bryant, the Bayou Bengals have plenty of talent to compete for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Along with a stellar recruiting class, which includes McDonald’s All-American Jarell Martin, O’Bryant and returning PG Anthony Hickey should have enough to make a post-season run.
5. Missouri (1st Round)
Head Coach Frank Haith will serve a 5 game suspension for his involvement while at Miami, but a talented backcourt should provide enough to secure an NCAA Tournament bid. Tulsa transfer Jordan Clarkson will provide a scoring punch that could land him on an All-SEC team, while Jabari Brown and Earnest Ross will give the Tigers long range threats. Finding consistent post play will be the challenge for a Missouri team who lost Alex Oriakhi and Laurence Bowers from last season’s squad.
6. Ole Miss (NIT)
Coming off an NCAA Tournament berth, Ole Miss returns All-SEC SG and reigning conference scoring leader Marshall Henderson in hopes of returning to the Big Dance. The loss of Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner will hamper their chances to make it back to the field of 64, but an NIT selection is not out of the picture. Andy Kennedy will need to find a big man or two to take some of the pressure off Henderson.
7. Alabama (NIT)
All-SEC G Trevor Releford will try to lead a talented roster to a postseason tournament. Which one will be dictated by how consistent Alabama proves to be. Head coach Anthony Grant has only been to one NCAA Tournament in his four seasons with the Crimson Tide, and this season might be his last if he does not make it back.
8. Arkansas (NIT)
Mike Anderson has brought in a highly touted front court duo in C Moses Kingsley and McDonald’s All-American F Bobby Portis. They will have to provide an offensive lift as the Razorbacks top returning scorer (Coty Clarke) only averaged 7.6 ppg. An NIT berth is possible if the Hogs can find some offense.
9. Texas A&M
Gone is high scoring Elston Turner, but the Aggies return a talented backcourt with Fabyon Harris, Alex Caruso, and J-Mychal Reese. F Kourtney Roberson and Florida State transfer Antwan Space will provide an inside presence. If Billy Kennedy can get consistent play from his team, A&M could challenge for an NIT bid.
10. South Carolina
Frank Martin’s second season as the Gamecock’s head coach should see an improved team taking the court. Incoming freshman SG Sindarius Thornwell will see major minutes early in the season as Bruce Ellington also plays football and Villanova transfer Tyrone Johnson won’t be eligible until after the fall semester. F Michael Carrera should help inside with his rebounding ability and outside with his improved perimeter game.
11. Vanderbilt
After last season ended, the Commodores had aspirations of a postseason tournament in the 2013-14 season. However, an offseason of attrition has left Vanderbilt scrambling to find playmakers. F Rod Odom, G Kyle Fuller, and G Dai-Jon Parker will provide some leadership, while newcomers Eric McCellan (Tulsa transfer) and freshman C Damian Jones will need to step in and make an immediate impact for Vandy to be competitive.
12. Georgia
The loss of SEC Player of the Year Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the NBA is a program crippling loss to a Georgia team that could have had high expectations. Head Coach Mark Fox will look to guards Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines to provide a scoring punch. Fox is firmly on the hotseat in Athens and likely needs a surprising season to remain with the Bulldogs.
13. Auburn
Tony Barbee left UTEP as an up-and-coming head coach, but has severely disappointed in Auburn. Virginia transfer K.T. Harrell will be leaned upon heavily along with G Chris Denson. The frontcourt will need freshmen Matthew Atewe and Benas Griciunas to provide some help quickly.
14. Mississippi St.
Rick Ray’s Mississippi State program has fallen on hard times as of late. The focus for the Bulldogs needs to be improvement and development. There will not be many wins to be had for this depleted program. If given the time, Ray will have Mississippi State in a good position in a couple of years.
All-SEC:
1st Team
G Jordan McRae (Tennessee) *Player of the Year*
G Marshall Henderson (Ole Miss)
F Julius Randle (Kentucky) *Freshman of the Year*
F Johnny O’Bryant (LSU)
F Jarnell Stokes (Tennessee)
2nd Team
G Trevor Releford (Alabama)
G Andrew Harrison (Kentucky)
F Dorian Finney-Smith (Florida)
F Alex Poythress (Kentucky)
C Patric Young (Florida)
3rd Team
G Aaron Harrison (Kentucky)
G Jordan Clarkson (Missouri)
F Jarell Martin (LSU)
F Jeronne Maymon (Tennessee)
C Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Top Transfers:
1. Dorian Finney-Smith F (Virginia Tech – Florida)
2. Jordan Clarkson G (Tulsa – Missouri)
3. K.T. Harrell G (Virginia – Auburn)
4. Antonio Barton G (Memphis – Tennessee)
5. Damontre Harris F (South Carolina – Florida)
Top Freshmen:
1. Julius Randle F (Kentucky)
2. Andrew Harrison G (Kentucky)
3. Aaron Harrison G (Kentucky)
4. Chris Walker F (Florida)
5. Kasey Hill F (Florida)
6. James Young F (Kentucky)
7. Dakari Johnson C (Kentucky)
8. Jarell Martin F (LSU)
9. Bobby Portis F (Arkansas)
10. Robert Hubbs G (Tennessee)