Best of the SEC
By Jim Feist
Freeplays.com
The SEC has a bunch of teams that are loaded with talent, depth and athleticism. Kentucky won national championships in 1998 and 2012, Florida knocked on the door in 2000 getting to the title game against Michigan State, then won it all with back-to-back titles. Here’s a look at some of college basketball’s best teams in the SEC.
Florida: Coach Bill Donovan has been the king of the SEC in recent years, as well as the college basketball world, with back-to-back titles, and after a few rebuilding seasons the Gators look fierce. They are not an attacking offensive team, middle of the SEC pack in points scored, but a powerhouse defense allowing 55.5 ppg (No. 1 in the SEC).
6-6 senior Casey Prather (15.7 ppg), 6-9 senior Patrick Young and 6-8 sophomore Dorian Finney-Smith (10 ppg, 7.8 rpg) form a big athletic frontcourt that is second in the SEC in field goal shooting, tops in shooting allowed (.366%). Florida is 15-5 under the total against the SEC, plus 19-71 under at home. The Gators begin a stretch this weekend playing three out of four on the road before hosting rival Kentucky in the finale.
Kentucky: The Wildcats have another talented and young team for coach John Calipari, who likes to groom them for one year before they head off to the NBA. Kentucky has a powerful frontcourt of 6-9 freshman Julius Randle (16 ppg, 10 rpg) and 7-0 sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein. Kentucky is more uptempo than Florida, 27th in the nation in scoring and tops in the SEC. This team is Top 10 in the nation in rebounding. However, Kentucky hasn’t been great when stepping up, losing to Michigan State (78-74), No. 20 Baylor (67-62), No. 18 North Carolina (82-77), along with close losses at LSU and Arkansas. The Wildcats are 3-12-2 ATS in their last 17 road games.
Ole Miss: The Rebels have impressed with a strong offense, third in the SEC behind Kentucky and LSU, and a solid defense allowing .416% (third best). Streaky senior guard Marshall Henderson (19 ppg) loves the three-point shot, hoisting almost 12 per game, but shoots 36% from the field and long range. He hit 8-of-19 threes against Tennessee, but went 2-12 against Mississippi State and 4-12 against Kentucky. He should probably pass more to junior Jarvis Summers (17.5 ppg), a better shooter and their assist leader (3.8 apg). They have a showdowns at home this week against Kentycky and Florida back-to-back. Keep in mind the over is 11-3 in the Rebels last 14 games following a loss.
LSU: It’s no secret how the Tigers win: Like the days of Shaq or Big Baby Davis they have a huge frontcourt with 6-9 junior Johnny O’Bryant III (15.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and 6-8 freshman Jordan Mickey (13.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg). LSU is one of the best rebounding and scoring teams in the SEC. The under is 35-16-1 in the Tigers last 52 games following a spread loss. The defense, though, is not strong, last in the SEC in points allowed and last at defending the three-pointer allowing 40%. After beating No. 11 Kentucky (87-82) and Arkansas they went on the road and got toasted by Georgia, 91-78, allowing 60% shooting! LSU is 5-13 ATS against the SEC and 4-13 ATS against a team with a winning record.
Tennessee: The Vols have been winning with a solid punch of senior guard 6-6 Jordan McRae (19 ppg), and tough up front with 6-8 senior Jeronne Maymon (11 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6-8 junior Jarnell Stokes (13.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg). Tennessee gets it done on defense, third in the SEC in scoring and sound with fundamentals, tops in the conference in free throws (76%). Tennessee plays three of its final five on the road. Keep in mind the Volunteers are 15-5 ATS against the SEC, plus 19-7 ATS following a loss.
Vanderbilt: Streaky Vandy hasn’t played a tough schedule and isn’t much of an offensive team, 67 ppg ranks 282nd in the nation. This is a veteran team that plays tough defense behind 6-9 senior Rod Odom (14.8 ppg, 6 rpg) and 6-10 freshman Damian Jones (11 ppg, 5 rpg) up front, and senior guard Kyle Fuller (11 ppg) running the break. This team is second in the SEC in points allowed and on a 38-15-2 run under the total! The under is also 19-7-2 in the Commodores last 28 home games.