College Basketball
Mark Fox Is SEC Basketball
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If any SEC program had a winning basketball team, excluding Kentucky and Florida, would their fan base even care?
Actually, if they were winning the fan base would probably get behind them. I guess the better question is: If any SEC basketball program were a smidge better than mediocre, would anyone truly pay attention?
I ask this because for the most part SEC fans will alter their weekend schedule depending on what time their football team plays, but will really only watch basketball if the alternative is “Once Upon A Time” and even then it may come down to whether or not the latter is a rerun.
It’s kind of shame to be honest, because over the last few seasons the level of talent and competition within the conference has continued to grow.
One of the reasons for this semi-resurgence has been coaching. While football has taken a hit over the last couple seasons, relative to where it was because of missing out on some coaching hires at high profile programs, basketball has seemingly done a much better job with who they have brought in.
Take Tennessee for example and their hiring of Rick Barnes; who after prior stops at Clemson and Texas must have a wardrobe made up completely of different shades of orange.
Even though it feels as if Barnes bases his diagramming of plays and clock management off of NBA 2K18, he does a good job of recruiting and at least gets his teams into the tournament.
Avery Johnson is looking to be the correct hire at Alabama and even though Florida is off to a less than desired start, I don’t think anyone is questioning their choice of Mike White.
Throw in proven coaches like Ben Homeland, Bruce Pearl, and Frank Martin (coming off an unexpected Final Four 4 last year) and you can see why teams have started to close the gap with Kentucky, which a few years ago seemed insurmountable.
That being said, no one coach personifies SEC Basketball more than Georgia head coach, Mark Fox.
Fox is currently in his 9th season as the Bulldogs coach, and entered this season with an overall record of 145-118 (.551), 70-68 (.507) in conference play and zero tournament wins in their only two appearances in eight years. Yet, there doesn’t seem to be much rumbling about his job security, at least not with any regularity.
Personally, I think this is for 3 reasons:
- Fox is the anti Jim Harrick. Basically, he’s a genuinely good guy that runs a clean program, and won’t embarrass the entire athletic department and university.
- Even though Fox hasn’t had all that much success in Athens, he hasn’t been an object failure, either. If Georgia were to let him go, would they really be able to bring in someone better? He’s more less become the Ryan Tannehill of college basketball coaches.
- He wasn’t that big of a name when Georgia initially hired him, so what Fox has been able to accomplish is fairly realistic to the expectations coming in. Bigger name, bigger expectations.
My point is, when you’re sitting on your couch, or laying bed, trying to decide if you should watch yet another episode of “Duck Dynasty” or something a little different, give SEC Basketball a try.
They’re still a work in progress, but it will be well worth your time. I mean, at the very least you’re guaranteed to see Barnes make a fool of himself, which is well worth the price of admission.
SEC Hardwood
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We’re starting to get close to conference play in college basketball.
The SEC is the deepest it has been in years. There are currently four teams ranked in the top 25 and at least two more that may join them. I’m going to take a look at these teams.
#8 Kentucky: The Wildcats (8-1) have the same story year after year. They’ve been the gold standard in the conference since the 1920’s. Ever since coach John Calipari came to Lexington in 2009 they’ve been the poster child for the ‘one and done’ players. They reload every season with a top 5 recruiting class and this year is no different.
The 2017 recruiting class was ranked second in the nation with six 5 star recruits. The only loss was to #12 Kansas by four points. The next three games are against Virginia Tech, UCLA and in-state rival Louisville.
SEC play begins December 31st at home against Georgia. I expect Kentucky to be the best team in the SEC again. They should make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
#9 Texas A&M: The Aggies (8-1) are off to their best start since the 2006-07 season.
They have some pretty impressive wins thus far. They beat #11 West Virginia 88-65 and #10 USC 75-59.
The only loss was against Arizona by three points. The Wildcats were ranked in the top five earlier in the season. They begin conference play Dec. 30th at Alabama.
The remaining non-conference games are easy wins against Savannah State, Northern Kentucky and Buffalo. A&M should be the best team in the SEC West.
#20 Tennessee: The Vols (7-1) had a well-documented awful football season. Fans in Knoxville need something to cheer about so it’s good to see the basketball team playing well. They beat #17 Purdue in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
The lone loss came against top ranked Villanova. Other than those two games the schedule has been pretty weak. They’ve played Mercer, Clemson, High Point and Presbyterian to name a few.
I think they may not be as good as the schedule suggests. We will get an idea of how good they really are when they play #7 North Carolina at home Sunday December 17th. I expect them to lose that game but they should handle Furman and Wake Forest. Then the Vols will play at Arkansas to open conference play.
#22 Florida: The Gators (6-3) were ranked as high as fifth before going on a three game losing streak. It’s hard to tell if they were overrated or just inconsistent. Their best win is against #12 Gonzaga.
They lost to #4 Duke by three points, which is respectable. But they followed that with loses to Florida State and Loyola Chicago.
They snapped the losing streak by beating Cincinnati. We won’t learn much about them before SEC play begins because they play Clemson, James Madison and Incarnate Word. I’m curious to see how Florida will develop as the season progresses.
There are a few teams right outside of being ranked in the top 25. They are: Arkansas (7-2), Miss State (8-0) and Mizzou (8-2). Missouri signed the #2 recruit in the 2017 class; 6’10 forward Michael Porter Jr.
Alabama (6-3) signed the #7 recruit in the 2017 class, guard Collin Sexton. The Crimson Tide lost to #14 Minnesota by five points. They played with three players, which makes that more impressive. Teams like that with future lottery picks are dangerous because they have a chance to beat anybody.
Sticky Tar Heels
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Trying to follow the NCAA’s investigation into a college programs potential violation can oftentimes feel a lot like watching a M. Night Shyamalan movie.
They usually drag on much longer than needed, and while you think you’ve figure out a logical conclusion, the ending is almost always different; and I don’t mean that in a good way.
After the penalties came down for Louisville’s own version of Risky Business, there has been a lot of speculation that the University of North Carolina should be worried. If these are the consequences for what happened on the Cardinals’ campus, then the hammer must be coming down on the Tar Heels, right?
Gonzaga v. North Carolina
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Since the NCAA Tournament field expanded to 64 teams in 1985, this year’s matchup between Gonzaga and North Carolina will be the seventh time two number one seeds will face off for the title.
NCAA One and Done Working?
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When a team makes it to their first Final Four in school history, defeating the 2,3, and 4 seeds to get there, it seems pretty obvious that’s what you should write about.
South Carolina will have plenty of stories documenting their improbable run that will be much more succinct than anything I could say, so I’m going in a little different route today.
With both Duke and Kentucky missing the Final Four, the talk concerning them ultimately turns to one and done players. More specifically, is it working?
North Carolina To Win NCAA Tourney
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It is that special time of the year again. It is March Madness, and my buddies are going to think I have gone quite mad because I am picking North Carolina to win the National Championship. Folks who know me well know I don’t care much for Carolina Basketball and never much have.
NCAA Tournament Story Lines
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news service
You can have the Super Bowl and the 800 billion people that tune in each year to watch.
I’ll give you the College Football Playoffs and the weekly rankings that seem to start before the season has even begun.
I’ll even let you have the World Series, America’s favorite past time, although I would put a little more emphasis on the “past” part.
For me, none of those beat March Madness and the excitement that ensues over the Bree weekends it encompasses.
So, in honor of my favorite sports time of the year, here are a few games/storylines I’m excited about possibly seeing.
1)Lavar Ball. The farther UCLA makes in the tournament, how outrageous will his proclamations about his son’s talent become? He’s already compared him to Stephen Curry.
How long will it be until he compares him to Jordan? Does a Final Four appearance equal the next coming of Christ?
2)Duke vs. Marquette. This potential matchup intrigues me for a couple reasons, but none more so than floor slaps. I envision this game ending with both teams meeting at center court and having a “floor slap off”, ala Michael Jackson’s Beat It video.
3)John Calipari. The Kentucky coach is the master of self marketing. With his very own 30 for 30 airing on ESPN after the tournament ends, will he steal a page out of Nascar’s playbook and have advertisements for the show stitched on his suits?
How many people will have to tune in for THAT to become the greatest day in Kentucky basketball history?
4)Oregon Ducks. I hate what happened to the Ducks Chris Boucher (ACL tear). By all accounts he’s a good kid and was a lot of fun to watch last year.
Since Oregon is going to need an enforcer down low now that Boucher is out, is it too late for them to bring in Bobby Boucher? Having seen the last few Adam Sandler movies, I’m sure he’s available.
5)Northwestern. After finally bringing the Wildcats to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, will Chris Collins be replaced by his father, Doug, for this tournament run?
6)Dayton vs. Wichita State. I actually read this on Twitter, so I can’t take credit for it but, with both of these teams’ coaches at the top NC State head coaching wish list, should the loser be forced to become the next Wolfpack head coach?
7)Virginia Tech. What are the odds on the Hokies not showing up for their first tournament game in 10 years because they just automatically assumed they were in the NIT?
8)East Tennessee State. Their normal colors are Navy Blue and Gold; not too far off from Vanderbilt’s Black and Gold. After Florida finished 0-3 against Vanderbilt this season, does ETSU go to a darker shade of navy blue just to mess with the Gators? Couldn’t hurt, right?
9)Danny Manning. Manning has done a great job bringing the Demon Deacons back to field of 68, but I’m more interested in his wardrobe. He wore this glorious gold colored suit the other week in a win over Louisville. I can only hope he’s superstitious and will wear it again for their game against Kansas State. Like any true clothing superstition, the suit will have to be unwashed of course.
10)Louisville vs Jacksonville St. The Cardinals are the two seed, so obviously, they are playing the number fifteen seed. For anyone who has paid any attention to Rick Pitino’s colorful past, you are well aware of his brief relationship with the number 15.
SEC Tournament Preview
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
One of the most anticipated weekends of the college basketball season has arrived, and that is the conference tournament weekend.
The stakes are high for everyone as every conference’s automatic national tournament bid is on the line. So, a team can have a poor regular season, get hot for one weekend, and will be invited to the Big Dance.
Locally, most eyes will be on the Southeastern Conference tournament being played in Nashville. Let’s take a look at who are the favorites to cut down the nets, who may be a dark horse, and who has no chance to win the tourney.
SEC basketball practically starts and ends with the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky has 47 conference titles; for comparison’s sake combine the next eight teams to have won the most conference titles and the total is…are you ready? 47.
Coach Calipari appears to have this year’s crop of freshmen peaking at the right time. The Cats are led by shooting guard Malik Monk and big man Bam Adebayo. However, keep an eye on sophomore Isaiah Briscoe, Briscoe seems to be the glue that keep the team together and focused on the floor.
If there is a team that can take down the Wildcats, it very well could be the Florida Gators. The Gators have had a bit of a resurgence under second year coach Mike White.
Coach White has maximized his roster, and gotten strong seasons from KeVaughn Allen and Charleston graduate transfer Canyon Barry, son of former NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry.
What may hurt Florida will be the loss of John Egbunu to injury. The Gators have had a dozen or so games to adjust to life without the big man, and may be the only team with enough firepower to knock off the Cats.
Surprisingly, the Vanderbilt Commodores are in the category of favorites heading into conference tournament play. The ‘Dores’ record is not stellar, but it is the strength of schedule that is virtually assuring them of a national tournament invite.
Vandy, under first year head coach, Bryce Drew, has really hit their stride, winning five of their last six. Led by sharp shooting big man, Luke Kornet, look for Vanderbilt to have the second most fan support given that they are playing in their home city of Nashville, but no school will be represented more than Kentucky.
Looking to play spoiler this weekend will be the Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia coach Mark Fox had multiple reports that Georgia was inquiring with other coaches about their interest in the basketball job in Athens.
Apparently, the reports were erroneous or at least premature, as the UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity quickly dispelled any rumors.
On the court, the Bulldogs will be getting one of the best big men in the conference back from injury in Yante Maten. If JJ Frazier can continue his hot play, and Maten can provide scoring down low, the Dawgs may be able to play their way back into the national tournament.
Teams that don’t have much of a chance this weekend, despite solid records, Arkansas and South Carolina.
First, Arkansas, the Razorbacks have a shiny record of 23-8, but it is fool’s gold. The Hogs best win is over Mount Saint Marys; a really good team but not elite.
South Carolina, under Frank Martin are following an eerily similar pattern to last season. The Gamecocks have started out looking like a lock, but just completely fall apart down the stretch.
The Cocks are a really scrappy bunch, play tough defense, and even have likely conference player of the year in Sindarius Thornwell, but it won’t be enough to bring home the SEC title.
When it is all said and done, look for the Kentucky Wildcats to bring yet another trophy home to the Blue Grass state. It’s just what they do.
ACC Awards
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Now that the college basketball regular season has come to an end it’s time for some of those in the media to start handing out individual awards, and for those of us who don’t have a vote, to second guess them. With that in mind, the ACC is off to a terrific start.
During the first half of the Duke/Carolina game the other night one of my closest friends, whom I’ve known since I was two and is a huge UNC fan, sent me a text that said if Luke Kennard or John Collins didn’t win Player of the Year in the ACC it’d be a travesty.
Throw in a few well placed expletives that Samuel L. Jackson would be proud of and you’ll understand the manner in which the text was sent. Too bad my buddy doesn’t have a vote, since neither of them won.
I like Justin Jackson a lot as a player and believe he is more than deserving of being on the All ACC 1st team. I can even understand the argument as to why he is the Player of the Year, I just don’t agree with it.
To me, nobody deserved it more than John Collins. Besides the “eye test” which he obviously passed, Collins finished the conference schedule 3rd in scoring, 2nd in rebounds, 4th in blocks, and 1st in field goal percentage- beating out Jackson in every single category.
Wake finished at 9-9 and looks to be headed to the NCAA tournament, so the whole argument about not giving the award to a player on an awful team, ala TJ Warren from a few years back, isn’t necessarily valid.
When all is said and done, I don’t agree with Jackson winning, but I understand it. I can’t say the same when it comes to the Coach of the Year.
Josh Pastner has done a terrific job with Georgia Tech, but there’s no way he should have won Coach Of the Year over Roy Williams. And this is coming from a someone who despises UNC so much that had my wife not stopped me I would’ve named my daughter Matt Doherty Lanier just so I would never have to forget his tenure at Carolina. As much as I hate to say it, and believe me I do, Roy should’ve won this award going away.
Carolina just won the regular season by two games over Florida State, in what a majority of people have said is the most competitive season in ACC history. They not only accomplished this with lesser NBA talent than a lot of the teams below them, but they also had a rash of injuries they’ve been dealing with. This may actually be one of Roy’s better coaching jobs.
Instead, the award is given to Pastner because, and let’s just be honest here, he stated that when he initially took the job the Athletic Director told him they wouldn’t win a conference game the entire year.
Except, just the other day Georgia Tech’s A.D. went on record that he never said it. In a world where #fakenews has become a part of our everyday vernacular, Pastner has been doing his best Sean Spicer.
Did the Yellow Jackets exceed expectations? Yes. Did they still finish 8-10? Sure. Did Pastner win because the media misjudged how much talent was actually on that team? Absolutely.
It’s almost as if these awards are given, not based on anyone’s actual performance, but rather how badly the media misjudged them before the season even starts. “Congratulations for not sucking as bad as we thought you would…..now here’s an award.”
ACC March Madness
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the regular season winding down and various conference tournaments beginning across the country, the NCAA Tournament is just on the horizon.
Originally, I was going to comment on what it would take for all the possibly eligible SEC teams to make it to Phoenix this year, but I would’ve finished almost as quickly as I started. So, since it seems the ACC will likely have a much larger number of participants, I’ll go with them.
These are all the ACC teams that are currently thought to be in the field of 68, or one of the first four out, according to SI.com.
Wake Forest: Hope they don’t play anyone ranked in the Top 50. The Demon Deacons are something like 1-348,962 against Top 50 opponents since the invention of the telephone. That request is probably a realistic expectation if they were to make the tournament, right?
Georgia Tech: Make sure they score over 65 points. Their winning percentage is .866 when they hit this benchmark. It’s .30 when they don’t.
Syracuse: Have John Gillon dedicate ‘Cuses entire tournament run to Rasheed Sulaimon. I have the upmost respect for Gillon trying to have his buddy’s back after hitting the game winning shot against Duke. The only problem is the ‘15 team that dismissed ‘Sheed won the title. When comparing anything Sulaimon accomplishes in his basketball life to that Duke team, he loses. End of story.
Virginia Tech: Ummm…..Huh??? I figured the Hokies just stopped playing basketball once they got rid of Seth Greenberg.
Miami: Show Bruce Brown tapes of Doug McDermott, similar to that of A Clockwork Orange. Brown has scored more than 20 points in only two games this season, against UNC and Duke. Those just happen to be the ‘Canes two most impressive wins of the year.
Virginia: Hold their opponents to under 40 points. I know I sound facetious, but Virginia has scored 55 or less in three of the last five games. In the two games they eclipsed that number, one was in double overtime and the other was against NC State, where they’re allergic to defense.
Notre Dame: Avoid teams that play any semblance of defense. Mike Brey’s team always seem to be near the top in offensive efficiency which helps negate other teams that like to get out and push the ball. Play someone where that efficiency takes a dip and they will struggle.
Florida State: Convince the NCAA committee to play the tournament in Tallahassee. FSU hasn’t lost on their home court since November, but has really struggled on the road. Next to North Carolina, Florida State is the second most complete team in the ACC.
Louisville: Hit outside shots. If they do this they have a chance. If not, they don’t. Pretty simple.
North Carolina: Don’t be in a bracket with a more talented team. I know it sounds obvious, but the tournament has made its name on upsets- unless you’re Carolina. Since 2006 the lowest seed UNC has lost to was a 4 seed Kentucky team. When it comes to the tournament, the Heels win the games they’re supposed to. Unfortunately for their fans, the same logic applies for the games they should lose.
Duke: Invent a time machine to travel back to October and undo whatever voodoo took place before the season started. On paper, this is the most talented team in the nation. On the court, it has been completely different. Plenty of legitimate excuses to go around, but bottom line is this sum is not equal to all of its parts.
