Azubuike24
Going to make this a weekly thing so people can read it and pretty much get a glimpse of the league in 5 minutes and create some discussion.
1. Kentucky (16-0, 1-0)
Key Wins: North Carolina, Connecticut, Louisville
Week Recap: The performance against Georgia was very stagnant, one of the worst games for John Wall on the year and not much production from the “other guys” like Dodson and Miller. However, UGA is clearly better than expected after we saw them beat GT and hang with UK for 39 minutes.
Upcoming: at Florida, at Auburn
Projection: SEC Champions, #1 Seed in NCAA
2. Vanderbilt (12-3, 1-0)
Key Wins: St. Mary's, Missouri, Florida
Week Recap: A great week for Vanderbilt who gets a key win over the team many figured would battle them for a spot in the SEC East. Great balance from the perimeter and the depth inside really wore UF down. 2 tough road games for Vandy this week, and if they get through those, they are in really great shape.
Upcoming: at Alabama, at South Carolina
Projection: NCAA Tournament, 2nd SEC East
3. Mississippi State (13-3, 1-0)
Key Wins: Mississippi
Week Recap: After a very tough loss to Western Kentucky on the road, the Bulldogs had a tremendous 2nd half which led to a huge road win over West co-favorite Ole Miss. Jarvis Varnado was a man amongst boys in the 2nd half. This game is a huge confidence boost for a squad who was really just going through the motions prior to this.
Upcoming: vs Arkansas, vs Georgia
Projection: NCAA Tournament, SEC West Champions
4. Tennessee (12-2)
Key Wins: Kansas, Memphis, Charlotte
OOC Games Remaining: vs Kansas (1/10)
Week Recap: Devastating news on New Year’s day has turned into two huge OOC wins for the Vols who rallied and whipped on Charlotte and upset #1 Kansas at home. Much of it was emotion, but you have to credit Pearl for regaining the team and their focus, and if they somehow get Cam Tatum and Melvin Goins back and keep this intensity and focus, this team may actually be right in the thick of the race.
Upcoming: vs Auburn, vs Mississippi
Projection: NCAA Tournament, 3rd SEC East
5. Mississippi (12-3, 0-1)
Key Wins: Kansas State
Week Recap: Ole Miss dropped a tough game at Tad Smith to their in-state rivals. All is not lost though, an off-shooting 2nd half did them in. They need to get more inside scoring, which might be tough the way they have the green light from outside. Still, a well-coached team who still may be the West favorite.
Upcoming: at Georgia, at Tennessee
Projection: NCAA Tournament, 2nd SEC West
6. Florida (11-4, 0-1)
Key Wins: Florida State, Michigan State, North Carolina State
OOC Games Remaining: vs Xavier (2/13)
Week Recap: After the miracle Chandler Parsons shot against NCSU, the Gators could’ve started 1-0 and had serious momentum going into their SEC home opener against UK. Instead, they got whipped inside by Vandy despite getting 50 points and 11 threes from Boynton and Walker. Without more from Tyus, Werner and Macklin inside, it’s going to be another bubble year for Donovan’s team.
Upcoming: vs Kentucky, vs LSU
Projection: NCAA Tournament, 4th SEC East
7. Alabama (11-4, 1-0)
Key Wins: Providence
Week Recap: You thought they might beat LSU in Baton Rouge, but they absolutely dominated them. A team under Anthony Grant that is going to get better as the year goes on. I had them right outside of the NCAA Tourney discussion, but they might force themselves in. I did think Bama was only slightly better than Auburn, but after today I think it might be a bigger gap than originally thought. Auburn won’t be able to handle the size of the Tide inside.
Upcoming: vs Vanderbilt, at Arkansas
Projection: NIT, 3rd SEC West
8. South Carolina (10-5, 1-0)
Key Wins: South Florida, Western Kentucky, Richmond
Week Recap: Since dismissing Mike Holmes, the Gamecocks went 2-0 this week and got a good win over Auburn at Beard-Eaves. Two winnable home games upcoming for USC and they will likely need more huge game performances from Devan Downey to stay in the hunt in the SEC East.
Upcoming: vs LSU, vs Vanderbilt[/b]
Projection: NIT, 5th SEC East
9. Georgia (8-6, 0-1)
Key Wins: Illinois, Georgia Tech
Week Recap: A fantastic home win over the Jackets and then a gutsy performance at Rupp probably moves UGA up to the middle of the pack in the SEC. They have a tough week upcoming against the Mississippi schools, but they clearly aren’t going to cave all year. They have two very good players in Thompkins and Leslie and the size on the inside to be physical without worrying about depth. Impressive week for Mark Fox’s squad.
Upcoming: vs Mississippi, at Mississippi State
Projection: None, 6th SEC East
10. Auburn (9-7, 0-1)
Key Wins: None
Week Recap: If Auburn wanted a chance at the postseason, this last loss to a very similar team at home was not a good one. Devan Downey had a great game for USC and the Tigers dropped their SEC opener in-front of a very disappointing crowd. Brutal week with UT and UK for Auburn, and not the kind of start they wanted in league play.
Upcoming: at Tennessee, vs Kentucky
Projection: None, 4th SEC West
11. Arkansas (7-8)
Key Wins: Missouri State
Week Recap: The only West team not to open SEC play this weekend, the Hogs do have a decent performance against Texas to go on. With Courtney Fortson back and LSU performing so poorly, you have to say right now Arkansas is better than LSU. They can definitely play at the level or higher than anyone in the West on a given night, but we will have to see them a little more with Fortson before they are in that discussion.
Upcoming: at Mississippi State, vs Alabama
Projection: None, 5th SEC West
12. LSU (9-6, 0-1)
Key Wins: Western Kentucky
Week Recap: This team got embarrassed at home against Alabama. As I said last week, they literally have 3 players right now who are SEC caliber players. Now that is a quality trio, but if they don’t have big games, the team can’t count on much else from the rest of the squad.
Upcoming: at South Carolina, at Florida
Projection: None, 6th SEC West
I think Florida has a decent shot to hand Kentucky their first loss. Mississippi @ Tennessee should be a fun game to watch too.
Only one team with a losing record. Pretty wild. I know here's where the people chime in on 'cupcake schedules'.