By Guest Blogger: Jennifer K. Owens
@jkowens715
12/30/2011
@jkowens715
12/30/2011
Yep, that’s right! SEC Basketball is here!! Last night, unranked Vanderbilt beat N. 14 Marquette at Marquette. And, earlier this month, LSU beat the then-ranked No. 10 Marquette and Louisiana Tech. Arkansas seems to be hitting their winning streak with 3 straight home wins now (let’s give Coach Anderson a few weeks to get his team in line before making a call on Arkansas this season – but, WOW, that BJ Young!!). Other notable wins for the SEC this week: Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina. OK, OK, OK, there were some loses too: Florida, Mississippi State, and Auburn.
What about those ‘Dores?!? They have all 5 starters back from last year and Coach Kevin Stallings has eyes on March – he needs to redeem that loss to Murray State. Who cares if Vandy is reaping the rewards of all the allegations coming out of Knoxville – they are getting it done.
But, the shining star – Kentucky!! How do they do it about every year with so many freshmen?? That’s right, Coach John Calipari. Most schools, SEC and other conferences, say “Well, this will be a re-building year since we lost so many players and are starting so many freshmen.” That’s not an excuse fans! Kentucky has 6 freshman and 4 sophomores on this year’s team. They have a nearly flawless
record so far – we won’t bring up that ugly December 10th loss to Indiana. Let’s see how they fair against rival Louisville on New Year’s Eve Day and we will talk! Then, they play the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (my home team!) – which should be an easy win for the Wildcats, but that’s why the play the game, right?
Now, I am not saying that SEC Basketball rises to the level of SEC Football – YET! But, could this be the year for Kentucky and Vanderbilt to go head-to-head?
It is no secret I am a Kentucky boy, and an avid Kentucky fan, so I am a little biased in agreeing with you about UK being the best in SEC basketball. From a talent perspective, this team is as talented a team I have seen UK have since the 1996 NCAA championship team. What remains to be seen is if this team will gel and play as team. With Vandy they have the team to be really good as does Mississippi State. The Bulldogs look, to me, to be the best team in the West followed closely by Alabama. Florida always plays tough in the SEC games and any team coached by Billy Donovan is dangerous come March. As for the Hogs, they are in a transition year with the return of Mike Anderson as coach. The loss of Marshawn Powell was a huge blow to that team. With him in the lineup they are a much, much different team. The thing I love about NCAA/SEC basketball is any team can beat another on any given night and as you said is why they play the game. I love the blog and I think it is a great read. Let me close by saying....Go Big Blue!
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