Wrong Turn
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was arrested early on March 25 on two misdemeanor charges: reckless driving and speeding-maximum limits.
He was booked into Athens-Clarke County jail just before 2 a.m., with his bond set at $26.
Georgia announced that Tuggle has been suspended indefinitely. He will be a sophomore this season and has become one of many UGA football players to be arrested on driving-related charges.
Georgia also announced that Marques Easley, a second-year offensive lineman, is suspended indefinitely. Easley was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct after crashing in front of an apartment complex with no injuries.
The situation involving Georgia offensive lineman Marques Easley has taken another turn.
Easley was arrested in Oconee County on Friday and was charged with reckless conduct and reckless driving. According to jail records, the 19-year-old was booked at 4:35 p.m. on Friday and released at 5:04 p.m. on a $1,000 bond. The details regarding Easley’s class were made public on Friday.
According to the crash report from the incident, Easley’s 2021 Dodge Challenger was traveling west on Redwood Lane in Watkinsville in what the reporting officer described as “a reckless regard” on Monday.
Easley lost control of the vehicle, which began to rotate clockwise and run off the roadway before striking a power distribution box with its front. The vehicle then struck the passenger side of a second vehicle — a 2013 Hyundai Elantra — with its driver’s side.
Per the report, that impact caused the Elantra to strike a third vehicle — a 2018 Mercedes Benz CLA — with its driver side.
The Challenger’s impact with the Elantra caused the Challenger to hit the front of 1313 Redwood Lane with its front before it came to a final rest.
Per the report, Easley told the reporting officer he lost control of the car while “traveling between 25-30 MPH prior to the crash.” The crash report states that “the investigating troopers found this to be an inaccurate account of [what] happened due to the amount of damage from the crash and the fact that [Easley’s Challenger] had tire marks going back an estimated 200 feet.”
“The tire marks were consistent with a vehicle laying drag,” the report stated.
Easley was taken to Piedmont Athens Regional due to the accident, though the details of his injuries were not listed in the crash report.
A second Georgia player — cornerback Ondre Evans — was listed on the crash report among the six occupants involved. Evans was not taken to the hospital following the accident.
The crash report states that Easley was given three citations for the incident: one for reckless driving and two for reckless conduct causing harm to or endangering the bodily safety of another.
Easley’s arrest is the 10th known arrest of a Georgia football player for driving-related offenses since the big incident in January 2023: player Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in a high speed car accident.
LeCroy was found to be over the legal drinking limit and racing with Jalen Carter, who pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors and therefore did not serve any jail time.
Coach Smart said last summer that the program was doing several things to limit, then eliminate these persistent driving issues with players.
Guest speakers have made several appearances to the team and Georgia’s collective is set to withhold payments to the players. Smart called the fines “substantial”.
NL East Beasts
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s a glorious time for a sports fan, even without the NFL.
We are down to the Sweet 16 in March Madness and the Masters starts soon. Heck, even the United Football League (UFL) is supposed to start the season this week. The most important of all…the MLB season starts.
This is Braves country, but with so much National League East talk about the Mets and Phillies this offseason, it’s easy to forget that the Braves, even with a rough year, still won 89 games and made the playoffs in 2024. By our standards, that was a down season.
The biggest reason? Health. Last season, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider missed most of the year, and while neither will be ready for Opening Day, both should be back early in the season.
Other players like Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Ozzie Albies have durability concerns, but it’s hard to imagine the Braves dealing with worse injury luck than they did in 2024.
The rotation has some holes to fill with Max Fried and Charlie Morton gone, leaving a big workload to replace. Young guys like AJ Smith-Shawver and Grant Holmes, will have to step up early while Strider works his way back.
The bullpen also took a hit, losing A.J. Minter to the Mets and Joe Jiménez to injury. The Braves always seem to find solid relievers, and I think Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, and Aaron Bummer will be key.
What makes Atlanta dangerous, though, is their offense. Michael Harris II is a breakout MVP candidate, the addition of Jurickson Profar adds depth, and if Austin Riley and Matt Olson play to their potential, this lineup can carry them. If Acuña comes back at full strength, the Braves could be the most balanced team in the NL.
The NL East is shaping up to be the toughest division in baseball. Three teams—the Braves, Phillies, and Mets—made the playoffs last season, and all three expect to be back.
Throw in an improving Nationals squad, and it’s going to be a battle all year long.
The Phillies finally won the NL East last season but got knocked out early in the playoffs by the Mets.
Their core, including Bryce Harper, is still strong, but they’re is getting older. The big question is consistency. They started last year red-hot but faded in the second half. Which version will show up in 2025? If they stay steady, they’re good enough to win the division again, but if age starts catching up, they could take a step back.
The Mets made a deep playoff run last season, knocking out the Phillies before falling to the Dodgers. Then, they made a huge splash by signing Juan Soto in the offseason, giving them a stacked lineup with Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo.
I think in 2025, their biggest question is pitching. Their bats are strong, but if the pitching falters, they could be stuck fighting for a Wild Card spot.
The Washington Nationals have been rebuilding. Young stars Dylan Crews and James Wood are the future, and adding veterans Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell should help them compete.
The rotation has potential, with MacKenzie Gore and former Brave Michael Soroka looking to bounce back. I don’t think they’re playoff-bound yet, but they could be a tough matchup, especially late in the season.
Miami has struggled and could be headed for another 100-loss season. If they get off to a slow start, expect them to trade away any valuable players by midseason.
Sandy Alcántara is back from injury, and young ace Eury Pérez should return after the All-Star break.
The 2025 NL East is going to be a dogfight. The Braves, Phillies, and Mets all have the talent to win the division, while the Nationals are a team to watch for the future. The Marlins? Not so much.
Atlanta looks ready for a comeback, but with Philly and New York in the mix, nothing will come easy. Expect a tight race, plenty of drama, and some must-watch matchups all season long.
Chomping The Hardcourt
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s been seven years since Florida Basketball finished with fewer than 10 losses. It’s been 11 years since the Gators won the SEC championship, and it felt like the Gators’ days as an elite basketball program were a thing of the past.
Then, Todd Golden and his Gators thumped Tennessee, 86-77, for their first SEC Championship since 2013.
UF entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed for the first time since Billy Donovan. It will finish with no more than five losses for only the third time in the last 50 years.
Florida went 16-17 in Golden’s first season, their second losing season since the turn of the millennium. Still, confidence in Golden’s direction never wavered despite obvious lack of experience at 36 years old. Todd Golden was six years younger than the youngest SEC coach at the time.
At the same time, Golden had three years of head coaching experience at San Francisco and had led the Dons to a 57-36 overall record (.613) before arriving in Gainesville. Golden credits Florida’s quick turnaround to acquiring talent that fit a certain strand he was developing in the halls of the O’Connell Center.
The Gators are approaching a hot stretch. They beat five top-25 teams over their last six games. Star guard Walter Clayton Jr. scored a minimum of18 points in five-straight outings, but Florida’s strengths go beyond the backcourt. This team possesses a deep and balanced roster that stands near the top of the national leaderboard in a number of statistical metrics.
Florida did not lose a non-conference game. All four of their losses were tournament-bound teams. Golden coaches a squad with a high floor and a high ceiling, which could be conducive to a deep run through the 68-team bracket.
Forwards Alex Condo. And Thomas Haugh are versatile bigs who score, rebound and pass at high levels. Center Rueben Chinyelu is part of a stout rim-protecting unit that teams struggle to score against. The Gators’ defense ranks No. 10 nationally (KenPom) in efficiency, and it surrenders 69 points per game — an impressive mark in an explosive SEC conference.
Golden has yet to advance beyond the first round of the NCAA Tournament in his three years. A deep run this postseason would be a breakthrough for the rising star on the sideline.
For the first time in more than a decade, the SEC will win the national championship on the hardwood. Florida is arguably college basketball’s hottest team and they’re coming off a tournament title in Nashville.
The Gators are playing well at the most crucial time. The Florida Gators have been one of the most consistent squads this season and their elite level of competition has paved a clear path to the Final Four. From there, it’s all about which team executes.
SEC Madness
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
March Madness is finally here! Selection Sunday just locked in the 68 teams for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and the excitement is off the charts.
Back-to-back champ UConn is looking to make history with a three-peat, something we haven’t seen since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty won seven straight from 1967 to 1973. But this time around, the Huskies aren’t the clear favorites after a tough regular season.
That opens the door for teams like Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston—powerhouses that have been rolling all year—to step up and take the crown.
Back in November, I wrote an article about the Southeastern Conference having nine ranked teams in the preseason Top 25. I wondered if it would even be possible for the 16 teams that make up the conference to end the regular season with as much fanfare as it began with.
Ever since then? The SEC has completely taken over college basketball. Coaches have been raving about just how brutal the competition has been. Coaches have called having to play within the conference everything from a gauntlet to a meat grinder. Georgia’s head coach, Mike White, summed it up by saying the SEC is “the best league in the history of college basketball.”
Turns out, they weren’t just talking. The SEC made history this year by sending 14 of those 16 teams to the NCAA Tournament—shattering the previous record of 11 set by the Big East in 2011.
With an 87.5% participation rate, it’s the highest percentage of teams from a single conference to ever make the tournament.
The only teams left out? South Carolina and my beloved LSU Tigers (at least there is always baseball!). Meanwhile, new conference members Texas and Oklahoma wasted no time proving they belong, both punching their tickets in their first year in the league.
But now, it’s time to back it up. Was this just a dominant regular season, or can the league turn this into something bigger?
Garth Glissman, the SEC’s associate commissioner for men’s basketball, knows the real challenge is just beginning. “Our regular season speaks for itself,” he told CBS Sports. “But that doesn’t guarantee anything in the postseason. We’ve got to take care of business.”
So, what does “taking care of business” actually look like? Do a certain number of SEC teams need to reach the Sweet 16? Does the conference need multiple Final Four teams? According to Glissman, there’s only one real goal: winning it all.
Of course, March Madness is unpredictable. Anything can happen. But for a conference that dominates in almost every other sport—football, women’s basketball, baseball—winning big in men’s hoops is the one thing that’s been missing. The last SEC team to cut down the nets? Kentucky, back in 2012.
“I’ll be the first to admit that in the SEC, ultimately, we’re measured by national championships,” Glissman said.
There are plenty of SEC teams capable of making a deep run. Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee are legit contenders, while a few others could sneak into the Final Four.
No matter what happens, the SEC owned the regular season. A 14-2 record in the ACC-SEC Challenge and a 59-19 record against high-major teams prove just how dominant the conference was this year.
Not long ago, the SEC was considered a football-first conference, with basketball playing second fiddle. From 2013 to 2016, the league had multiple seasons where only three teams made the tournament. But that’s changed in a big way. The SEC sent eight teams dancing in both 2023 and 2024, setting the stage for this year’s historic breakthrough.
Now, there’s only one thing left to prove. Can the SEC finish the job and bring home a national title? March Madness is about to give us the answer.
Running To NFL
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 NFL Draft is next month. We are going to take a look at some of the top running back prospects in the draft.
# 1. The top prospect is Ashton Jeanty (Boise State). Jeanty is from Jacksonville, Florida and he went to high school in Frisco, Texas.
Last season he rushed for 2,601 yards, 29 touchdowns and averaged 7 yards per carry.
In 2023 he had 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had 43 catches in 2023 and 23 in 2024.
He won the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Unanimous All-American and he finished second in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting.
I think he can be picked as high as 6th by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chicago Bears are picking 10th and they could trade up to pick Jeanty.
# 2. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) should also be selected in the top 15 picks.
The North Carolina native is 6’0, 221 pounds so he has a great combination of size and speed.
He’s been a workhorse for the past two years for the Tar Heels. In 2023 he rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 TD’s. In 2024 he had 1,660 yards and 15 scores, while averaging 5.9 ypc both years.
He had 29 receptions in 2023 and 38 in 2024. He can run and catch passes out of the backfield. I don’t expect him to slip past Dallas who has the 12th pick.
# 3. Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) is 6’1, 224 pounds. He rushed for 1,537 yards, 21 scores and averaged 6.4 ypc.
He also had 22 catches for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was a Consensus All-American, First-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
# 4. Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) is a Louisiana native. He’s 5’8, 200 pounds so he’s a smaller back.
Last season he ran for 1,493 yards, 22 TD’s and averaged 5.8 ypc. He also had 19 receptions for 141 yards. He was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, First-team All-SEC and a Second-team All-American.
# 5. TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) split time last season with Quinshon Judkins.
The senior rushed for 1,016 yards, 10 touchdowns, 7.1 ypc and he had 27 receptions.
Henderson is 5’10 and 202 pounds. This was his first thousand-yard season since his freshman year.
# 6. Brashard Smith (SMU) is a Florida native that transferred from Miami.
He was a wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Hurricanes.
Last year he ran for 1,332 yards, 14 scores and averaged 5.7 ypc. He also caught 39 passes for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Smith is 5’10, 194 lbs. and he’s very explosive. He was named First-team All-ACC.
# 7. Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) is an Alabama native that started his career at Ole Miss.
As a freshman he rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 scores. As a sophomore he ran for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns.
He transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season and split carries with TreyVeon Henderson. In 2024 he had 1,060 yards, 14 touchdowns and he averaged 5.5 ypc. Judkins is 6’0, 220 pounds and he has a nice balance of speed and power.
The depth of the defensive line in this year’s draft class has been primarily what the media has focused on. The running back class has great depth. I think a player drafted in the third round or later can make an immediate impact as a rookie.
FSU Loucks
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
After being formally introduced as Florida State’s men’s basketball head coach, Luke Loucks expressed pride and appreciation as he stood before a packed auditorium at Moore Athletic Center this Monday.
“It’s good to be home,” Loucks said at the start of his press conference.
Luke Loucks, a self-described storyteller, spoke about being a ‘part’ of Florida State. He and his wife, Stevi, were both student-athletes who met at FSU.
Loucks spoke about flying back into Tallahassee late Sunday night with their three young children. While Stevi was tearing up over returning ‘home’, her husband-FSU’s new head basketball coach- was welcoming his three children into the FSU lifestyle and continuing the legacy from a full time student to a full time employee.
This family remained attached to FSU before this career decision, they would return during NBA All-Star breaks and sometimes in the summer during Louck’s NBA coaching career. A permanent relocation marks a new chapter and endeavor for him and his family.
Loucks is excited to be coaching his alma mater at 34 years old, and understands this dream doesn’t happen to everyone. He does not take this opportunity for granted.
In reflecting on the hiring process and a series of interviews, or conversations, with Director of Athletics Michael Alford and FSU President Richard McCullough, he concluded each meeting with a career defining question – ‘Why?’ .
Why did Luke Loucks want to depart from a rising career as an NBA assistant to return to the college ranks and coach at Florida State?
“No. 1, there’s an emotional connection to Florida State,” Loucks said. “This place holds so many special memories for me.”
He is one of multiple members of his family with ties to FSU. He recalled as a little kid a family gathering for FSU football’s 1993 national championship victory. A core memory for any Nole fan at that age.
As a young man and a player at FSU, he spoke of meeting his wife ’40 feet’ to the right of the podium where addressed a gathering of media, administration, and others with ties to FSU.
He obviously had a great deal of success on the court along with his teammates.
He spoke of the school’s most recent football national championship and the pride it brought him after having played his career there (2008-12).
After a handful of years playing professionally, and it taking him around the world, he entered into coaching.
His laundry list of basketball coaching influences includes plenty from -Steve Kerr, Mike Brown and Leonard Hamilton to name a few. It’s clear many of the influences trace back to his time as a Seminole. As a young coach, he leaned on those who guided him in that same role during his time at FSU. He brought up folks behind the scenes tied to FSU hoops instrumental in his basketball coaching journey.
Present day as a young parent, he said that he and his wife have spoken to their children about ‘how cool it is to be a part of the Florida State community’. This is while putting them to bed wearing FSU pajamas.
For the entirety of his 34 years, FSU has played a role in Loucks life. It is part of every bit of his being and every chapter of his story.
That all being said, the other portion of his ‘Why’ is because at his core, he is someone who loves a challenge and believes he can succeed in things he is passionate about.
“I’m pretty competitive. I can’t turn it off. I want to win. I want to win everywhere I go,” Loucks said, adding that the personality trait goes well beyond the basketball court.
“So career-wise I want to be around the best. The reality is Florida State in the athletic community is one of the best brands in the world. Again, I’ve seen what it feels like to win at Florida State and I want to be a part of that. I want to lead.”
The 34-year old first-time collegiate head coach didn’t shy away from the idea of success. As the press conference winded down after more than 50 minutes at the podium for Loucks, he was asked about his playing days and those FSU teams he was a part of exceeding expectations – blowing out North Carolina, winning at Duke, earning an ACC Championship, NCAA Tournament bids, etc. He is familiar with his new territory. He knows the gold standards in the ACC on the hardwood.
He knows the tough task of turning FSU into more than expected in basketball. He isn’t shying away from it, because he simply can’t. He isn’t wired that way. That isn’t who he is or what he is.
Luke Louchs is a Basketball junky. Let’s see how he fills the shoes that Coach Hamilton left him.
Immortal Wildcats
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Camden County High School will celebrate its rich athletic history with the inaugural induction class of the Camden County Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The event will take place at the CCHS Fine Arts Building in Kingsland, Georgia, honoring individuals and teams who have made a lasting impact on Wildcat athletics.
This inaugural class of inductees represents some of the most accomplished athletes, coaches, teams and contributors in Camden County’s history. This year’s class will include the following five inductees:
1960 Ralph J. Bunche High School State Championship Football Team: The Ralph J. Bunche Hornets made history by winning the first high school football state championship in Camden County history.
The school, which opened in 1951 to serve Black students in the area, started playing football in 1954 as part of the Georgia Interscholastic Association.
After semifinal appearances in 1958 and 1959, the Hornets broke through in 1960, dominating Henry County Training 45-2 to claim the Class A state title. Following integration in 1970, Ralph J. Bunche High School became part of Camden County High School, but the Hornets’ championship legacy remains a cornerstone of local sports history.
1985 Camden County High School Girls Track and Field Team: This team made history as the first-ever state champions in any sport at Camden County High School.
Their victory paved the way for future Wildcats, demonstrating that Camden County athletics could compete at the highest level. Their success remains a significant milestone in the school’s athletic legacy.
Frank Smith – “Mr. Wildcat”: Frank Smith was more than just a fan—he was the heart and soul of Camden County football.
Known affectionately as “Mr. Wildcat,” Smith was a dedicated supporter who never missed a game, home or away, for over 40 years until his passing in 2012.
As the longtime president of the CCHS Quarterback Club, his passion for Wildcat football was unmatched. His legacy is honored every year with the Frank Smith Classic, held at Chris Gilman Stadium during the Wildcats’ first home game in September.
Jeff Herron – Legendary Head Coach: Few names in Georgia high school football carry as much weight as Jeff Herron.
Over his 32-year career, Herron built a reputation as one of the best coaches in the country, compiling an overall record of 334-69, including 312-54 in Georgia.
His remarkable 85.3% winning percentage ranks second in Georgia history and among the top 35 in national high school football history.
During his 15 seasons at Camden County, Herron transformed the Wildcats into a powerhouse, winning three state championships (2003, 2008, 2009).
Under his leadership, Camden dominated the region for 12 consecutive years, set a state record with a 58-game regular season winning streak, and was ranked in the USA Today Top 25 six times. ESPN even named the Wildcats the Program of the Decade in Georgia (2000-2010).
Beyond Camden, Herron won state championships at Oconee County (1999) and Grayson (2016). His coaching excellence is now being recognized on a national scale—this summer, he will be inducted into both the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Hall of Fame and the National High School Football Hall of Fame.
Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell – Camden’s NFL Star: A true Camden County legend, Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell left his mark at every level of football. After a standout career as a Wildcat running back, he continued his dominance at The Citadel, where he still holds school records for rushing yards in a season (1,647) and career (4,062).
In 1981, Mitchell was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. He played in the league for a decade, spending nine years with the Cardinals (1981-1989) before finishing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990.
Following his playing days, Mitchell transitioned to coaching, leading Morgan State University (1996-1998) before taking on NFL coaching roles with the Seahawks, Redskins, Cardinals, Jets, and Browns. His long and distinguished career in professional football is a testament to the talent that has come from Camden County.
The Camden County Athletics Hall of Fame will serve as a tribute to the incredible athletes, coaches, and supporters who have shaped Wildcat sports. This inaugural class represents a mix of historic achievements, legendary figures, and community icons, each of whom played a vital role in building Camden County’s athletic tradition.
With this event, Camden County will not only honor its past but also inspire future generations of Wildcats to leave their own mark on the field, track, and beyond.
SEC Survival Time
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The last time an SEC team won the men’s college basketball national championship was Kentucky in 2012.
The last team to play in the national championship game was Kentucky in 2014.
Obviously, the Wildcats are the most successful program in the conference. This season the SEC has been the best basketball conference in the nation. Let’s take a look at the top teams as they head into the SEC Tournament.
# 3 Auburn: The Tigers (27-4) lost their season finale to archrival #5 Alabama 93-91 over the weekend.
They also lost to Texas A&M before that so they are on a two-game losing streak.
Despite that, they are still the top seed in the SEC Tournament. The top four seeds have a bye for the first two rounds of the tournament.
They are led by veteran head coach Bruce Pearl. Pearl was the head coach at Tennessee from 2005-11. He took over at Auburn in 2014 and they did reach the Final Four once in the 2018-19 season. They are led by senior forward Johni Broome. He averages 18.6 points per game and 10.6 assists per game.
They will face the winner of Ole Miss and South Carolina/Arkansas.
# 4 Florida: The Gators (27-4) are the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. Head coach Todd Golden is in his third season in Gainesville and they have improved every year. Last year they made it to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed and lost in the round of 64.
This season they have a chance to be a No. 1 seed, which would make the path to the Final Four much easier.
The team’s leading scorer is senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. with 17.2 ppg. Sophomore forward Alex Condon leads the team with 8 rpg and 11.4 ppg.
They will face the winner of Mizzou and LSU/Miss State.
# 5 Alabama: The Crimson Tide (24-7) have been good at basketball for the last few years. That’s because of head coach Nate Oats, who was hired in 2019.
They made it to the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five seasons. They went to the Final Four last year and the Sweet 16 twice.
Senior guard Mark Sears averages 19.2 ppg and 5 apg. Senior forward Grant Nelson averages 12.1 ppg and 7.9 rpg. Bama is the third seed so they will play the winner of Kentucky and Oklahoma/Georgia.
# 8 Tennessee: The Vols (25-6) are the fourth SEC team ranked in the top ten. They are a very good team but they are inconsistent. They have been swept by Kentucky and have lost to Vanderbilt and Ole Miss. Florida beat them by 30 points in early January. They got revenge in February when they beat them by 20.
Head coach Rick Barnes has been in Knoxville since 2015. He’s led the Vols to the NCAA Tournament six times. They advanced the Elite Eight last season and they have been to the Sweet 16 twice.
Senior guard Chaz Lanier averages 17.9 ppg. Senior guard Zakai Zeigler is the second leading scorer with 13.1 ppg. Tennessee is the fourth seed and they will face Texas A&M or Texas/Vanderbilt.
# 15 Texas A&M: The Aggies (22-9) had a four-game losing streak before winning the final two games of the season. One of those wins was against Auburn. They are the fifth seed and will play the winner of Vandy/Texas.
The Players
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
While the locals throughout north Florida and South Georgia are currently shaking off the February blues weather wise. They know it’s time to get going!
One of the major weeks of the year for this area is right around the corner. Yes it’s time for the Players Championship.
This year’s edition brings in some real drama. And that’s before anyone has pulled a stick out of the bag and ripped one down the Par 4, 423-yard first hole.
Let’s get right to it. Can Scottie do it again? In 2023 Scheffler got hot mid round on Sunday and walked away with his first Players.
The next year it was Scottie coming from behind and going low in the final round to win his second in a row. Now begs the question? Three in a row? It’s never been done.
In order to break new ground at Sawgrass with a third in a row, Scheffler will have to be on his game. The consensus World’s #1 has lately been just that, on his game. Can anyone knock him out in Jacksonville? There are quite a few wanting to take a shot.
THE BIG BOYS:
BRIAN THOMAS: The 2021 champion has been playing well. With 3 top 10s in 5 starts this year, Justin can come in and let her rip. He knows the course well and is a crowd favorite. If he can get in the mix on Sunday, watch out.
RORY: Well, of course.
LUDVIG ABERG: Guess I should put him in here since he won the RSM in 2023 right? Not hardly, the young Swede is cool, calm and dangerous. He is rapidly becoming one of the best of the rising young guns in the game. If he plays his game watch out!
XANDER: Coming back from a rib injury. He may be in the field but I think we are asking a little much.
DON’T BET AGAINST:
BRIAN HARMAN: A tough go for the St Simons Island pro recently. But his last 4 results have gotten consistently better. If he is in it on Sunday, there will be a lot of people pulling for this guy.
KEEGAN BRADLEY: No one scares this guy. He hasn’t made any noise lately but if he can just take out that one bad round he seems to be having in the last few weeks, he could surprise.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: He has been around the top 10 numerous times. Consistent, calm, and lethal. I would not give this Brit a break. Do so at your own peril guys!
LONGSHOTS:
SAHITH THEEGALA: The steady, young, 27-year-old pro. A win here would really move his career forward. He’s definitely a long shot, but he is due.
HARRIS ENGLISH: Another veteran St. Simons pro who is playing well with a win earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open. He has all the tools and temperament to have his time to shine.
RICKIE FOWLER: It feels funny making Rickie a longshot, but the former winner is that. Put him in the final grouping on Sunday and then watch him drop one real close on 17! How much fun would that be!
So, can someone above or in the field catch Scottie? Well, the odds say that a three-peat would be very difficult.
My vote? Let er rip Scottie. The guy is on fire. He won 7 tournaments last year. In 5 years on the tour, he has played in 133 events and made the cut 114 times! His winnings over that time are over 70 million dollars. When you’re hot, you’re hot!
If you get a chance to get tickets to the Players, by all means GO! It is everything a great tournament should be.
The Fans, the golf course, and the community all come together. And a Sunday final with a seat on the hill at the 17th should be on every golfer’s bucket list.
Soaring Eagle
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In this crazy business of sports media that we love, one of my favorite parts of it is the relationships that you create and grow over the years.
One that I’ve been blessed to grow for over a decade now is with Georgia Southern Baseball head coach Rodney Hennon.
Last week on a weekend game in Buies Creek, NC, Coach Hennon collected his 860th career win at Georgia Southern in a game against Campbell.
With that win, he passed legendary head coach Jack Stallings to become the all-time winningest coach in Georgia Southern Baseball history.
That feat for any college baseball coach raises eyebrows but for a program like Georgia Southern, that is a monumental accomplishment.
Georgia Southern Baseball has been consistently one of the best and most respected baseball programs in the mid-major ranks because of the consistency.
That consistency isn’t only in wins and on-field successes (which has been plentiful over the years), but also within the staff. Rodney Hennon is in his 26th season at the helm of the Eagle Baseball program and only adds to the lore of Georgia Southern baseball of continuity at the top of the program.
Since 1949, the blue and white have only seen five head coaches. Two of those five have their names on the facility Georgia Southern calls home in J.I. Clements (Stadium) who was the head man from 1949-1966 and in 1968 along with Jack Stallings (Field) who manned the dugout for twenty-four years from 1976 until 1999.
The other two are Ron Polk (1972-1975) who is regarded as the “Father of SEC Baseball” with his career at Mississippi State, and Bill Spieth who led the Eagles for four years in the early 70’s.
While it’s impressive what Hennon has been able to do as the longest tenure head coach in Eagle history, it’s the consistency of excellence that rises above.
In the 25 previous seasons under Coach Hennon, Georgia Southern Baseball has won 30 games in all but two of those and have seen 40 wins in eight seasons including 2022 when Georgia Southern secured the 16 seed in the NCAA postseason and hosted the first ever regional in Statesboro.
Although the list of accomplishments for Hennon could cover the Blue Monster wall in right field at J.I. Clements Stadium, when talking to those closest to “10” like former players, coaches, staffers, etc., the first thing that comes up is the character and the type of man Coach Hennon is day in and day out.
Getting to see and get to know Coach Hennon for the 10 years I was lucky enough to cover Georgia Southern Baseball for the Georgia Southern Sports Network and was one of the true pleasures of my career to this point.
He truly is one of the greatest molders of young men I’ve been around. There’s a lot of “old school” coach in him where when someone needs a wakeup call, he will get into a player, but it’s always coming from a place of caring about them both as a player, but even more-so as a young man.
Coach Hennon credits a lot of his mentors to not only his dad, Lamar, but also Keith LeClair and Jack Leggett from his days at Western Carolina both as a player and coach.
The great part of this is the tree doesn’t end with the branch of Coach Hennon. While we’ve mentioned the impact that “Skip” had on his players, it also applies to those that were lucky enough to coach with him.
Names like BJ Green, who was the pitching coach for Hennon for many years has since moved on to be the Associate Head Coach at UAB.
Recently Alan Beck was the hitting coach for the Eagles who took the head coaching job at both his and Coach Hennon’s alma mater Western Carolina after the 2022 season.
Jason Richman, who was not only a standout pitcher for Coach Hennon, but also on his staff for a few years is now the Director of Pitching for Georgia Tech Baseball.
The list goes on and on of those impacted by the coach, mentor, and man of God that Rodney Hennon is and now (and likely forever) holds the distinction of the winningest coach in Georgia Southern Baseball history.
