JJ Lanier
Budenholzer Bailing?
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Sometimes the signs are so subtle that you don’t know what’s happening until it’s too late; when you look back afterwards then you see the signs were there all along.
Other times the signs are more blatant and, in your face, much like your Italian mother’s slap across the face after you tell her your friend’s Ragu spaghetti sauce is better than her homemade one.
When I saw that Mike Budenholzer was a candidate for the Phoenix Suns head coaching vacancy some of those signs that I had maybe overlooked over the past couple of years started to come to the forefront.
For one, Budenholzer is from that part of the country, so it makes sense that if a coaching vacancy opened up that would take him back to that area, he would be interested.
Secondly, there has been quite a bit of turnover and change within the Hawks organization over the last couple of years and I could see how that would wear on a head coach.
Throw in the fact that Atlanta is obviously in rebuilding mode and you understand why Budenholzer had interest. (I know Phoenix is in rebuilding mode also, but the lure of going back to his home area has the potential to be a more attractive offer than Atlanta).
That said, now that Budenholzer has withdrawn his name from the Phoenix job and is interviewing for the New York Knicks head-coaching position there’s nothing subtle about it; he wants out of Atlanta. Or is at least doing everything under his power to make it seem that way.
Looking at this from Budenholzer’s point of view, unless the Knicks are going to throw an insane amount of money at him, I’m not sure he’s going to be better off in New York. I mean it’s not like the Knicks are an up-and-coming team, loaded with young talent.
You could almost argue that Atlanta is in better shape, when it comes to their roster. Plus, as much turmoil as the Hawks organization has been in over the last couple of years the Knicks are even worse. It’s almost as if the entire Knicks organization is being run by Nets’ fans.
If I’m Atlanta, however, I’m probably hoping he gets the next job. When you are looking at rebuilding you not only need a coach that can relate to the younger players, but you also need someone who’s going to be there for the long-haul. I imagine Hawks fans have to feel like their team is being viewed like a mid-major/steppingstone, as a means to a better job.
Plus, as a head coach one of your objectives is to have everyone on your team buy into your philosophy and vision, as well as look at you as a leader. When you have shown an interest in two separate jobs within a 10-day period- neither of which are a step up from your present position- it’s kind of difficult to inspire that confidence and loyalty with players who are currently on the team, or a free agent that may be interested in joining.
Budenholzer is a good coach, who really has done a terrific job in Atlanta. But, Hawks players and fans deserve a coach who wants to be there, to see this rebuilding process to through to the end; not someone who just gave them a proverbial “slap to the face” that any Italian mother would be proud of.
No Magic In Orlando
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I’m starting to think the Orlando Magic hate me.
It’s nothing I can physically prove, but there have been signs. For instance, three years ago I wrote very favorably about the hiring of Scott Skiles. After one year, no more Skiles. (Yes, I know he resigned, but you don’t leave a job like that if you’re happy).
Then, following the Skiles resignation, I thought Orlando made a great decision bringing in Frank Vogel. Two years later, bon voyage, Frank. At this point I’m so hesitant to write anything positive about whomever they hire next, it could be Gregg Popovich and my reaction would be, “Eh, is that really the right move?”
I understand letting Vogel go, even if I don’t necessarily agree with it. Not only has it been six years since Orlando made the playoffs- only Phoenix and Sacramento have longer droughts- but until this past season they had finished dead last in the Eastern Conference each of the previous five.
Oh, and just to be clear, the only reason the Magic weren’t last this season is because they finished one game ahead of an Atlanta Hawks team trying to tank so badly I’m pretty sure they would’ve started Jackie Moon, if he were an actual person.
Plus, Vogel was hired by the previous regime and I’m sure Jeff Weltman (President is Basketball Operations) and John Hammond (General Manager)- both hired prior to this past season- want to bring in their own guy.
So, with Orlando on the verge of hiring their fifth head coach since 2012, how attractive is the job?
Talent wise, it’s kind of mixed bag. There is enough young talent- Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, and Jonathan Isaac are all 25 or younger- for it to be appealing, but none of those look to be a bonafide star.
In a league that is predicated on stars, that’s a bit of a problem. Depending on who Orlando is able to get in the upcoming draft that stigma could change.
Still it’s hard to get too excited about a roster that was one game away from finishing in last place for the sixth straight year. Basically, Orlando has just enough talent to have expectations that could get you fired.
The additions of Weltman and Hammond do bring some cache, which I imagine would be appealing to a potential candidate. Both gentlemen are coming off successful rebuilds (Toronto and Milwaukee, respectively) and have good reputations around the league.
That alone may allow the franchise to get a higher caliber of coach than they would have, otherwise.
Of course, you can’t discount the fact that it’s Orlando and there is no state tax, either. The sunshine and extra money in the pocket is never a bad thing.
Overall, the Magic job isn’t a bad one, as long as management makes some smart personnel decisions and allows the head coach time to succeed; neither of which has been taking place recently.
If I had to guess, Orlando will hire a current NBA assistant coach, with no head coaching experience, who has a reputation for developing young talent. It’s a cheaper avenue to take as opposed to rehiring someone that has NBA head coaching experience or going after a highly touted college coach. At this point, coaching isn’t as much of a concern as bringing in talent.
That said, regardless of what direction they decide to take, there’s one thing for certain- whatever I think of the hire, the exact opposite will happen. Here’s hoping for my disapproval.
Paul Johnson Still Buzzing
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It seems like nowadays, coaches in general, are relieved of their duties for various reasons- not winning enough games; thinking the university or franchise can find someone better; arguing that Creed is the greatest rock band of all time- you know, the normal.
So, it’s nice to see a program like Georgia Tech reward head coach Paul Johnson with a contract extension, when he could just as easily have been fired for two of the reasons I just mentioned. (I admit I am unfamiliar with Johnson’s stance on Creed)
On the surface, when most athletic directors don’t care about anything a coach has accomplished outside of the past 3 years, it’s a little perplexing to hear of a director actually extending the contract of a coach whose record over the past three seasons has been 17-19.
In this particular case, I applaud Tech’s athletic director, Todd Stansbury, with looking past just the last three years when making this decision.
For one, while Johnson’s teams have struggled in 2 of the past 3 seasons- his 2 worst seasons he’s had at Georgia Tech- overall, he has been very successful.
Since arriving in Atlanta in 2008, the Yellow Jackets have finished either 1st or 2nd in the Coastal Division six times. Yes, those happened during the first seven years, but combine that with Johnson’s history before arriving at Tech and it’s clear the ‘15 and ‘17 seasons were the aberrations.
With the exception of those two seasons- those teams only won 3 and 5 games, respectively- Johnson has also led Georgia Tech to a Bowl game every other year, including the Orange Bowl, twice.
I realize if you’re a fan of a team like Georgia or Florida State, you would have a different view of that “success”, but at Georgia Tech that should be acceptable.
I don’t mean that as an insult to Yellow Jacket fans, but as long as your team is competing for divisional titles, with the occasional shot at a playoff appearance, you should feel good about where your program is at.
I also like the extension for financial reasons. I don’t know what his salary will be for those extra two years, but Johnson is scheduled to make a little over $3 million in 2020 and I can’t imagine it would be much higher than that.
That’s not chump change by any stretch but there are plenty of coaches making at least that if not more, many within the ACC alone who don’t have nearly the accolades Johnson has. So far, Tech has gotten a pretty good return on their investment.
Plus, and I realize this only really matters when teams are winning, it seems like Johnson runs a fairly clean program. Very rarely do you hear of his players getting into trouble. And even the one time I do remember (Demaryius Thomas receiving impermissible benefits totaling $312) it was more of a bad look on the NCAA than it was GT.
Again, I know this type of integrity isn’t important with all coaches (hey Hugh Freeze, what have you been up to?), but it does seem like it legitimately matters to Johnson and the university.
This could all change if the Yellow Jackets stumble to a 4-8 record this upcoming season. But for now, it’s nice to see a coach be rewarded for his entire tenure and not just the last few years, regardless of what his musical tastes may or may not be.
Offensive Minded
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As sports fans, whenever our teams start to struggle, there’s always someone we blame.
Sometime it’s the star player; sometimes the head coach. When it came to the Carolina Panthers that scapegoat used to be former Offensive Coordinator, Mike Shula. For Falcons fans think Steve Sarkisian type hatred, to the tenth degree.
When Shula was relieved of his duties following the season, you could hear that collected sigh of relief coming from the Panthers fan base.
It’s been a few weeks since Carolina brought in Norv Turner as Shula’s replacement, with tepid excitement.
Turner’s success as an NFL head coach has been less than stellar, to put it politely. His history working with quarterbacks and his reputation as an Offensive Coordinator, has been well earned.
Two accusations that followed Shula during his tenure was mundane play calling, as well as an inability to help Cam Newton realize his full potential. (I was not a huge fan of Shula, but I always thought the latter was a little unfair. I mean, Cam did win a MVP under Shula’s direction).
Turner has never struck me as someone who was an innovative offensive mind but rather someone who was an excellent play caller. It’s kind of like going to a music concert; would you rather hear the hits or songs from their “experimental” album when they were trying to find themselves?
Turner isn’t going to reinvent the plays being run, he’s just going to do a better job of calling them.
As for the part about Cam’s lack of development under Shula, that really shouldn’t be an issue with Turner. The new Carolina OC has a history of getting the most out of his quarterbacks.
His influence on QB’s like Troy Aikman and Philip Rivers are well known, but he has been very successful with those who aren’t current/future Hall of Famers. Take his time in Minnesota; his most recent NFL stop before Carolina.
In his three years with the Vikings he helped turn Teddy Bridgewater in a Pro Bowl Quarterback and was calling plays when Sam Bradford set an NFL record for completion percentage.
Cam has a lot to work on- footwork and accuracy being two of the larger ones- but it’s obvious the talent is there; just look at what he accomplished three years ago. Working with Turner every day, you’d expect to see some of the growth missing over the past few years.
There is some trepidation with the hiring though. For one, outside of his coaching gigs, Turner’s stay with the Vikings, 3 years, has been his longest stop since he was Wise Receivers with the Rams in the late ‘80’s.
Like I mentioned, some of those stops were short lived because of head coaching jobs, but overall he is not someone who stays in one place for an extended period of time. I don’t know if it’s because he wears out his welcome fairly quickly, or if he’s a “grass is always greener on the other side” person. However, for a franchise like Carolina that puts a premium on stability, Turner’s one night stand history is a little worrisome.
There have been a lot of changes to the Panthers organization since the season ended, both on and off the field.
The firing of Shula was one most fans were happy to see. The jury is still out on Turner. If history repeats itself, the Panthers should see some success in the offensive side of the ball. Just don’t get too excited, it may only be for one year.
Final Four Madness
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I’m not a religious man.
Don’t get me wrong, I was raised Catholic but the only thing I retained are the litany of jokes regarding Catholicism. After this Loyola Chicago run and the support they’re receiving from America’s most popular nun since Whoopi Goldberg in “Sister Act”, I’m starting to rethink my religious convictions.
March Madness always has upsets, buzzer beaters, etc., but it just feels like this year has taken all those things to a whole new level. From a 16 seed defeating a 1 seed for the first time in history, to a Sweet Sixteen consisting of two regions without any top 2 seeds, to an 11 seed making it to the Final Four; throw in all the other stuff that has happened in between, I’m not sure there’s been a more entertaining tournament in recent memory.
Of course, based upon the first two weekends of the tournament, it’s only fitting we have the Final Four that awaits us in San Antonio. This year, we’ll get a little bit of everything.
The Pedigree: Kansas. After two years of having their season end in the Elite Eight, the Jayhawks were finally able to break through and advance. I’m not sure they are the best team remaining, but they are the most complete team.
Like the other three teams, Kansas’ strength is their perimeter play, but nobody has their size down low. If the Jayhawks are to win it all, they’ll need their post players to play big.
Arguably the Best Team All Season: Villanova. The Wildcats will arrive in Texas as the favorites to win their second title in three years. There really isn’t anything they don’t do well.
Defense? Yes. Take care of the ball? Yep. Potent offense? Sure, if you’re the type of person who likes your team to score a lot of points and hit a lot threes. For a team that plays 4 guards a majority of the time, they even rebound well. Not to say they can’t have an off night, or can’t be beat, but they’re the favorite for a reason.
Big Conference Team Clicking at the Right Time: Michigan. As much as I just drooled over Villanova and the way they play, you could argue the Wolverines are playing the best of this group. Three point shooting is going to be the key. If they’re making their shots from beyond the arc, they’ll have a shot. If not, it may be a one and done situation for the Big Ten champs.
Cinderella Team: Loyola Chicago. There have been other double digit seeds and mid-major schools (George Mason in 2006) that have made the Final Four, but I’m not sure any of them had as legitimate a chance to advance to the championship game as this Ramblers team.
Defensively, Loyola is good enough to disrupt Michigan’s offense and either of the teams they would meet in the championship game, if they are to make that far. They’re the underdogs, without a doubt, but don’t be surprised if they cause a little commotion.
After a season and tournament that has more than lived up to the hype, you can only hope that the final weekend will be more of the same. Based on the way the remaining four teams have played, I would expect nothing less.
You can take the pageantry of the Super Bowl or the excitement leading up to the college football playoffs; I’ll take March Madness over either of those every single time. It’s become a religious experience.
A Maddening Weekend
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It feels like just about every year you could make the claim “this year’s opening weekend to March Madness was the craziest one yet”!
Obviously, this year was no different. Over the course of the tournament’s four day opening weekend, among all the upsets and buzzer beaters, I learned a few things as well as had some beliefs reinforced.
For instance, I learned the next time Syracuse makes the tournament as one of the “last four” teams in, I need to automatically pick them to make it to the Sweet 16.
For the 2nd time in 3 years the Orangemen won 3 games in 6 days, to make it the second weekend. Two years ago, they made it all way to the Final Four. They’ll have to go through Duke and possibly Kansas, if they want to make a return trip this year; it’ll be rough, but I’m not counting them out.
I also felt more secure in my theory that when it comes to tournament knockout pools, under no circumstances should you ever pick a team coached by Sean Miller or Rick Barnes.
While the final score against Buffalo was a surprise, Arizona actually losing to them wasn’t. As for Tennessee, I thought about picking them for their game against Loyola Chicago, until I remembered who was coaching. Barnes may have a done a great job with the Vols over the course of the season but winning in the tournament isn’t exactly his forte.
I realized this year that if an ACC team makes their conference tournament and enters the NCAA tournament as a 2-seed, playing in the closest venue to their campus, just go ahead and pick them to be upset.
It happened to Duke last year. They won the ACC tournament; were upset by USC in Greenville, as a 2-seed and it happened this year with UNC getting completely dominated by Texas A&M.
This next one hasn’t exactly taken place yet, but I feel so confident that it will, I’m going to go ahead and include it under the “beliefs I had reinforced” category.
After complaining about Kentucky’s seeding and draw, John Calipari will somehow try to convince people that his Wildcats made the most miraculous run to the Final Four ever and that the other teams had a much easier route, although his own team won’t have played a team seeded higher than 9th.
For the record, if Kentucky makes the Final Four, I’m not diminishing their accomplishment because of who they played to get there; just pointing out one of the many ways Calipari contradicts himself. Trust me, it’ll happen.
One thing I probably knew but was finally forced to come to terms with is as good of a coach as Tony Bennett is, the style of play his teams run isn’t conducive to being successful in the tournament; at least not consistently.
They’ve had some success in the tournament over the past 5 years (1 Sweet Sixteen and an Elite Eight appearance), but they’ve also been purses in the first weekend three time; twice as a 1-seed and once as a 2-seed. Plus, there’s the loss to UMBC, which doesn’t help their case.
Speaking of UMBC, the most important thing I learned over the first four days of the tournament was what UMBC actually stands for; University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I mean, it’s only fitting I try to learn everything I can about the team that made this “the craziest opening weekend in March Madness history”!
Out-Foxed
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Coaching turnover in college and professional athletics occurs about as often as The Fast and the Furious movies are released.
So, when Mark Fox was relieved of his duty as Georgia’s head basketball coach, you can understand why I was a little stunned to realize he had been at the helm for nine years.
In fact, entering this past season only Andy Kennedy (12 yrs), and John Calipari (signed his contract 4 days before Fox) had a longer tenure at their respective schools than the former Bulldog coach.
How, with all the rampant turnover in coaching did Fox, a coach with a .551 winning percentage, two NCAA Tournament appearances with no wins, and zero SEC conference or even divisional titles, last as long as he did?
The first thing that popped in my mind was that Georgia- Athletic Director, Greg McGarity in particular- was giving Fox a legitimate chance to succeed, when so many of his counterparts aren’t given that same opportunity.
I mean, nine years is more than enough time to gauge whether or not you need to make a change. I’m not sure how much truth there is within that scenario, but the optimist in me wants to believe it had to have played a little part.
The second thing was something my brother had said to me a few years ago; “When it comes to work, mediocrity is king.” If you’re completely inept at your job, it will be fairly obvious and you won’t last very long. If you are extremely successful, then you’ll be given more responsibilities and the expectations placed upon you will continue to increase. If you’re simply middle of the road and not causing any trouble, than you’ll fly under the radar and last longer in that position than most. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not encouraging mediocrity, but it does kind of make sense, right.
In the case of Fox, he wasn’t horrible, winning between 18-21 games a season over the last five years. And because he never won anything of any significance, he never had a high bar that he needed to live up to. When you think about it, he really is the living embodiment of my brother’s philosophy.
The third reason I thought of, which goes along with being mediocre and probably has more to do with Fox’s longevity than anything, is that UGA fans feel the same way about basketball that Duke fans feel about football; just don’t be an embarrassment and we’ll get along fine.
I don’t mean that as an insult, just being honest.
When Georgia football, or Duke basketball, loses a game it’s as if the apocalypse is upon us. Whenever UGA’s basketball team makes the tournament, or Duke football makes a Bowl game, the season is deemed a success.
If you need another example, look no further than this publication, The Southern Sports Edition. Over the course of the college basketball season we’ve probably written more articles on Georgia football’s incoming recruiting class alone than we have on the basketball team and it’s not on accident.
We write about topics people want to read and trust me, as far as I know we’re not being inundated with emails complaining about the lack of basketball coverage.
I guess what it all comes down to is this: If misery loves company, then in the case of Mark Fox and Georgia basketball, apparently so does mediocrity. How else can you explain his tenure lasting as long as it did?
On The Other Hand
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I think we’re all in agreement, except for maybe anyone that actually works for an NFL organization, that the NFL Combine is more show than substance. It’s similar to proclaiming that a particular movie is the greatest piece of cinema ever created, after having only seen the trailer.
Nevertheless, there is always one athlete who tends to steal the show with a quicker than expected 40-yard dash, or impressing the attendees with the amount of reps they do on the bench press. This year was no different, albeit for one minor exception.
Before the Combine, I didn’t know much about Shaquem Griffin. I knew he played for UCF and I was aware that he did not have a left hand; that was it.
I didn’t know if he was a good player or not. I had no idea if he had been born without a left hand, or if it had been amputated. Hell, I didn’t even have a clue as to what position he played, besides defense. I can promise you, I know now.
Besides impressing everyone with his 40 speed (4.38 seconds), or his 20 reps on the bench press using a prosthetic hand, Griffin is coming off two very successful seasons at Central Florida.
In 2016, his junior year, he was 1st team All-AAC and AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He followed that season up with a senior campaign that saw him receive not only 1st team All-AAC honors again, but AFCA 2nd team All- American, as well.
Over the two year span he combined for 166 tackles, 18.5 sacks, and 1 interception.
I’m not saying Griffin is going to be the next Ray Lewis, but he’s good enough to play on Sundays.
Throw in the fact he did all this without the use of a left hand, which was amputated when he was four years old, and it’s pretty incredible.
All that said, the more interesting question to me is, “Where will he get drafted?”
You can always count on two things happening at the draft: 1. A player is drafted higher than their talent level would suggest, based upon the Combine. 2. A player’s stock will drop, below where their talent level warrants, because of same ridiculous, inane reason. I could see either of those two scenarios playing out for Griffin.
Overall, I think he’s a late 2nd round/early 3rd talent, so it’ll be intriguing to see if a team reaches a bit and drafts him earlier than that, or if they are hesitant and he drops into the later rounds.
Like most draft picks, much of his success will depend on where he goes and who his coach will be. In the right situation, he could be a huge asset for whomever drafts him. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the Panthers.
There will be a lot of feel good articles written about Griffin between now and the NFL Draft, and there should be. What he accomplished in his college career, and what he hopes to achieve at the next level, is something that should be applauded; not necessarily because of what he’s done, but because of what it took for him to get to this point.
I don’t normally get too sentimental about these type of things, but his story is certainly inspiring and I’m rooting for him.
At this point I have no idea what type of professional football career Griffin will wind up having, but so far he’s put out one hell of a teaser trailer.
Bortles Breaking The Bank
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When I initially heard Jacksonville had extended the contract of Blake Bortles (3 yr/$54 million; $26.5 million guaranteed) the first thing that popped in my head was “Tom Coughlin has some terminal illness and the doctors are treating it with medical marijuana.”
You see, the only explanation I could come up with as to why Coughlin would extend Bortles’ contract was that when he made this decision he had to have been sitting on his couch, stoned out his mind, eating powdered donuts, and watching “The Big Lebowski”.
Not many people wanted one more year of the Blake Bortles Experiment, let alone three. Of course, the more I read and thought about it, the more I actually liked the move.
For starters, Jacksonville just freed up $9 million in cap space for this upcoming season. Bortles was scheduled to clear $19 million dollars, instead of the $10 million he will now make.
As close as the Jaguars were to winning the AFC this year, having an extra $9 million to either bring in new players (a wide receiver perhaps), or resign current ones, is extremely valuable.
Secondly, when it comes to the going rate for a starting NFL Quarterback, especially one who just played in a Conference Championship (regardless of how vital he may or may not have been in achieving that), Jacksonville is getting Bortles on the cheap.
Obviously, Coughlin and Doug Marrone see something in the soon to be 5th year quarterback that makes them feel comfortable about having Bortles lead this team, at least for next year.
It’s also very possible that both Coughlin and Marrone were not all that impressed with the available quarterbacks on the market and figured their best chance going into next season was to stick with the quarterback they already have. A “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” scenario. I’d put my money on the latter.
Plus, and I know this isn’t how Jacksonville is hoping this turns out, but if Bortles continue his less than stellar play, they’ll have a couple options at their disposal. The Jaguars could release him, which is what most people would probably expect.
Financially, it would be a bit of a hit, but minimal enough that it makes this extension worth the risk. They could also try and trade him; his contract did just become a little more appealing to other teams. I’m not saying Jacksonville would be able to get much in return, but in a year where backup quarterbacks played such a large role, a team could do worse than having Bortles as their backup.
Personally, I don’t believe Blake Bortles is the long term answer for Jacksonville. Besides his 2nd season and a handful of games here and there in which he played well, there hasn’t been anything I’ve consistently seen that makes me think next season will be any different than the last two.
But, when you consider Coughlin had already committed to bringing Bortles back next year, I completely understand why this extension happened.
There are a variety of reasons a team may extend a quarterback’s contract- play; money; they don’t like the other options that are out there. Like in most professions, the reason why isn’t nearly as important as what the person does with the opportunity.
With the Jacksonville Jaguars being so close to reaching their ultimate goal of playing in the Super Bowl, Coughlin and Marrone are hoping Bortles will make the most of his. However, they’ve taken the necessary steps, just in case he doesn’t.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When people bring up “March Madness” they’re generally talking about the NCAA Tournament; no groundbreaking news there.
However, with the way this season has played out, the “madness” part may begin a week earlier with the conference tournaments, especially in the SEC.
Over the past 8 seasons, the tournament has basically belonged to Kentucky. They’ve won five titles within that time frame (including the last three) and have made it to the finals in two of the three years they didn’t win it all.
Certainly, the Wildcats have as good a chance as anyone to extend their streak of conference titles to four; the main difference being there are six or seven other teams who have just as good a chance to win.
Currently, the eight teams that are ranked 3-11 are within two games of each other heading down the stretch. The four teams tied for third are only one game out of second. Basically, it’s about as evenly matched as it’s been in years.
Auburn has been the best and most complete team throughout the year. They lead the conference in scoring and have been tremendous on the road and in neutral site games. Their defense and focus has been a little suspect at times, but when they are engaged, they’re good enough to beat anyone.
Tennessee, with Rick Barnes and his desire to only coach teams with orange color jerseys, have struggled a little bit of late, but are arguably the best defensive team in the conference. If they can find some rhythm on the offensive end, they’ll be a tough out.
Arkansas is pretty much what you would expect; they’re going to score a lot of points and odds are, they’ll allow a lot of scoring, too. The question is can they work out their defensive issues between now and the tournament.
Missouri and Alabama are kind of in the same boat, in the sense that both teams have some really impressive wins- especially Alabama- but then they’ll both inexcusably lay an egg against a less talented team. As weird as it may sound, if I’m a fan of either team, I’d be more worried about their opening round game than anything.
When it comes to Florida it’s pretty simple; are they hitting their outside shots? If so, they are one of the better teams in the conference. When they’re not, they’re basically Ole Miss, but with a coach.
If the conference tournament were played in Starkville, I’d probably give Mississippi State the edge to win the whole damn thing; they’ve only lost once at home all season.
Unfortunately for Bulldog fans, the tournament isn’t even in the state of Mississippi and MSU has been down right abysmal away from home. Maybe someone will spray paint the Scottrade Center maroon and white?
Of course, this leads us to Kentucky. On one hand, you have to respect Calipari and his ability to get the most out of his teams come tournament time. On the other hand, I’m just not sure there’s enough talent on this team to run the table.
Combine all these things and the SEC tournament should be one of the more interesting and unpredictable conference tournaments.
For a league that has been dominated by one team in recent years, and plays second fiddle to their football programs, this type of excitement may just be what’s needed.
Then again, if it doesn’t have quite the drama I’m expecting, spring football is just a little more than a month away.
