Mississippi State releases schedule…

And FINALLY we are done…

vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. Clemson
vs. Tennessee-Martin
vs. UC Irvine – Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, CA)
vs. Southern Illinois or Chattanooga – Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, CA)
vs. TBA – Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, CA)
vs. Murray State
vs. Southeastern Louisiana
vs. Miami-Florida
@ South Alabama – Coors Classic (Mobile, AL)
@ Loyola Marymount
@ Texas A&M Corpus Christi
vs. Missouri
vs. Lafayette College (Jackson, MS)
————————————–
vs. Georgia
vs. Kentucky
vs. Tennessee
@ Vanderbilt
@ South Carolina
@ Florida

Mississippi State’s pre-conference slate is relatively unimpressive. The Anaheim Classic could provide a couple of intruiging matchups versus Southern Illinois and USC, and hosting Missouri should be a decent game.

The Bulldogs couldn’t ask for a better matchup versus the East. Stansbury’s squad will host each of the three teams picked to finish 1st-3rd in the division, and will host the others.

With the released schedules, a detailed analysis of each team’s schedule and predicted win/loss record will be up very soon. Stay tuned!

Arkansas releases schedule…

Second-to-last…

vs. Wofford
vs. College of Charleston – O’Reilly Puerto Rico Tipoff (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
vs. Providence/Temple – O’Reilly Puerto Rico Tipoff (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
vs. TBA – O’Reilly Puerto Rico Tipoff (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
vs. Deleware State
vs. Missouri
vs. Oral Roberts
vs. Missouri State
vs. Texas-San Antonio
@ Oklahoma
vs. Northwestern State
@ Appalachian State
vs. Louisiana-Monroe
@ Baylor
————————
vs. Florida
vs. South Carolina
vs. Vanderbilt
@ Kentucky
@ Tennessee
@ Georgia

The Razorbacks’ non-conference slate is relatively weak, with a trip to Oklahoma being their biggest challenge. The championship game of the Puerto Rico trip could be tough, assuming the ‘Backs make it that far, depending on who Pelphrey’s squad is paired up against.

As favorable as Mississippi State’s schedule versus the East may be, Arkansas’ is equally as difficult. The Razorbacks must travel to each of the supposed toughest three out of the Eastern Division – Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia.

Alabama releases schedule…

Here’s who the Tide will be playing…

vs. Troy
@ Mercer
vs. Belmont
vs. Southern Mississippi
@ Texas A&M
vs. Southeastern Louisiana
vs. Georgetown – Birmingham, AL
vs. Nicholls State
vs. Wofford
vs. Texas Pan American
vs. Missouri State – Las Vegas, NV
vs. Purdue or Iowa State – Las Vegas, NV
vs. George Washington
vs. Clemson
vs. Chicago State
————————–
vs. Florida
vs. Tennessee
vs. Vanderbilt
@ Georgia
@ Kentucky
@ South Carolina

Gottfried has pieced together a solid schedule for the upcomimg campaign. Two true road games is acceptable, plus a decent assumed matchup in the finals of the Las Vegas tournament. A trip to College Station will be an intruiging matchup of possible Top 25 teams, and Georgetown/Clemson will both be challenging games.

The Tide’s schedule versus the East doesn’t favor them very much, with trips to both Georgia and Kentucky on the horizon. Hosting SEC-title-favorite Tennessee will help tremendously, as that game is a must-win for Alabama to seriously challenge the Vols.

Only waiting on two now, Arkansas and Mississippi State.

Vanderbilt releases schedule…

Here is the Commodores’ schedule this season.

vs. Austin Peay
@ Toledo
vs. Utah State – South Padre Island Shootout (South Padre Island)
vs. Iowa or Bradley – South Padre Island Shootout (South Padre Island)
vs. South Alabama
vs. Georgia Tech
vs. Wake Forest
vs. Lipscomb
@ DePaul
vs. Tennessee State
vs. Tennessee-Martin
vs. Iona
vs. Rice
vs. Massachusetts
———————–
vs. LSU
vs. Auburn
vs. Mississippi State
@ Alabama
@ Arkansas
@ Ole Miss

The Commodores will face a relatively challenging non-conference schedule, highlighted by assumed match-up versus either Iowa or Bradley. A trip to DePaul will prove difficult, and Georgia Tech could be Top 25 by game-time. This pre-conference slate should be a great measure of how deep Stallings’ crew can run into the SEC schedule.

The matchups versus the West will also challenge the ‘Dores, with trips to both Alabama and Arkansas looming on the horizon. Auburn and Mississippi State at home helps a bit, but how much is yet to be seen.

Now waiting for Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi State.

Georgia releases schedule…

Here’s the Bulldogs’ schedule…

vs. Jacksonville State
vs. Grambling State
vs. Elon
@ Wisconsin
vs. Delware State
vs. Augusta State
vs. Wake Forest
vs. East Tennessee State – Rainbow Classic (Honolulu, HI)
vs. Presbyterian College
@ Gonzaga
vs. Georgia Tech
————————–
vs. Alabama
vs. Arkansas
vs. Ole Miss
@ Mississippi State
@ LSU
@ Auburn

The Bulldogs’ schedule is a matter of extremes. A trip to Wisconsin should be a loss, but Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, and Gonzaga all should be good games. The record versus the West should be favorable, hosting both Alabama and Arkansas – a trip to Mississippi State will be a challenge.

Now waiting on Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt.

Auburn releases schedule…

Here’s how it shapes up…

 @ Tulane
vs. Kennesaw State
@ Alabama State
@ Charleston Southern
vs. George Washington – BB&T Classic (Washington D.C.)
vs. West Virginia - Big East vs. SEC Invitational (Birmingham, AL)
vs. Southern – Coors Classic (Mobile, AL)
vs. Mercer
vs. Alabama A&M
vs. Towson
vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi
vs. Xavier
vs. Presbyterian College
—————————————-
vs. Kentucky
vs. South Carolina
vs. Georgia
@ Florida
@ Tennessee
@ Vanderbilt

A very respectable schedule, one that should certainly challenge the Tigers before the SEC rigors without destroying their chances at a solid season. George Washington, Xavier, and West Virginia are all solidly challenging games that Lebo’s ultra-experienced group will have a shot at. But someone, please…who is Presbyterian College?!?

Auburn’s schedule versus the East isn’t too brutal, as they host Kentucky and Georgia. Trips to Florida and Tennessee will be uphill climbs, however.

We now wait only on Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt to release their schedules.

Upcoming posts…

Just an update, as soon as all of the schedules are released for the SEC teams, I will break down each schedule one-by-one and list the probable wins and losses for each, along with more accurate predictions for records.

Others will include an updated Top 25+10, pre-season SEC Award winners, and other commentary.

Stay tuned!

East vs. West

Clearly, the SEC’s Eastern Division has dominated recently. Last season being topped only three times since the divisions split in 1991, the East hung a 24-12 embarassment on the West.

On top of that, the West hasn’t notched an advantage since 1999, when they pulled off a 19-17 record. It’s been a while.

With that said, is this the year the West rebounds? The division contains three teams with legitimate opportunities to claim the SEC title – Alabama, Arkansas, MSU – and one other that could claim the Western title if the others aren’t up to par (Auburn). The Eastern division contains an obvious contender, Tennessee, and one other possibility for a challenge…Kentucky. The top favors the West.

But the bottom is where things could go either way. Georgia and Florida both could make an argument for the NCAA’s, and Vanderbilt might find a way to sneak in there. LSU could overachieve and make the tournament, but Ole Miss will need a mircale (who says it can’t happen twice?)

The record of the divisions versus one another will be interesting to watch this season, and I dare say the difference won’t be as stark this time around, regardless of who takes the crown.

LSU releases schedule…

Here’s how it shapes up…

vs. Southeastern Louisiana
vs. McNeese State
vs. Oklahoma State – Maui Invitational (Maui, Hawaii)
vs. Marquette or Chaminade – Maui Invitational (Maui, Hawaii)
TBA – Maui Invitational (Maui, Hawaii)
vs. Nicholls State
vs. Southern
@ Villanova – Big East vs. SEC Challenge
vs. Northwestern State
@ Wichita State
vs. Oregon State
vs. Washington
@ Tulane
@ Texas A&M
————————-
vs. Tennessee
vs. Kentucky
vs. Georgia
@ Florida
@ Vanderbilt
@ South Carolina

This is quite an impressive schedule, especially considering Brady’s performace – or lack thereof – last season. The Maui Invitational will quickly give the nation a view of whether or not the Tigers will be contenders this season. Trips to Texas A&M and Wichita State will be matchups to watch, as will Washington at home.

The Tigers’ matchup versus the East couldn’t be better, as they will host what should be the top 3 teams from the division.

Seriously? Stalking?

Everyone’s human. I know this. Even basketball coaches aren’t immune to the affliction of imperfection.

With that said, some things can be chalked up to a mistake, and some are just plain stupidity.

Florida A&M coach Mike Gillespie was warned a number of times about his harassment of his ex-girlfriend, including the night before the final incident which resulted in his arrest and eventual firing from his job.

His attorney has called the university’s decision “premature”.

Really?

Give me a break. If you’re in a position of that much prestige, opportunity, and influence, making the same mistake three times in a row is an unacceptable behavior and the “premature” decision should have been made well before this point ever came.

Let’s take a little responsibility for our actions and not try and blame anyone else. Like an adult.

South Carolina releases schedule…

The Gamecock’s schedule looks like this…

vs. South Carolina State
vs. Southern California
vs. Penn State – Old Spice Classic (Orlando, FL)
vs. Campbell
@ Clemson
vs. Providence – Big East vs. SEC Challenge (Philadelphia, PA)
vs. Baylor
vs. College of Charleston
vs. UC-Irvine
vs. Radford
vs. UNC-Asheville
—————————–
vs. Alabama
vs. Mississippi State
vs. LSU
@ Arkansas
@ Auburn
@ Ole Miss

I must say, I’m severely disappointed with the scheduling of the SEC coaches thus far. Not that Odom’s schedule is particularly weak this season, but that the Gamecocks compete in only one true road game before the SEC schedule. Southern Cal at home will be a huge challenge, as will a trip to Clemson.

USC’s schedule versus the West is relatively favorable, with both Alabama and Mississippi State playing in South Carolina. Playing in Fayetteville will be brutal, however.

The Battle of Hopson

Okay, it’s officially gotten ugly.

Mississippi State commit Scotty Hopson has been subject to a string of rumors in recent months, culminating recently in a rash of discussion regarding not only interest in Kentucky, but also a change of high-school – and consequently, a more Kentucky-friendly coach.

In response, Hopson has said “I am 100% solid in my commitment. Everyday I hear more rumors and I have people telling me to go to Kentucky. It’s good to feel wanted, but it gets old after a while.”

In addition, it seems as if the high-school rumor was fabricated as well, as Hopson has begun classes at his current high-school.

One wonders how diligently Gillespie is recruiting a young man who’s already committed to his school of choice, and if Hopson is truly interested in the Wildcats.

All I have to say is enough is enough – the kid is going to attend the school that best fits him.

Either way, the November early-signing period will tell a lot. Either Hopson makes his decision final, or it won’t be looking good for the Bulldogs.

Text Messaging and Dick Vitale

The NCAA today decided to not reverse its’ decision to ban coaches’ ability to text message recruits. I couldn’t agree more. A recent recruit from Kentucky was smacked with over 500 dollars in text message costs stemming from a constant barrage of texts from coaches. It’s distracting and costly.

Dick Vitale is possibly the most biased and inept commentator I’ve seen in my entire [granted, comparaby short] life. His recent All-Rolls Royce Teams are an absolute joke. Here is how SEC Player-of-the-Year and #1 ranked point guard in America [per Rivals.com] candidate Jamont Gordon (who apparently missed the cut) compared to the rest of the five-team field.

• Gordon averaged 16.0 points per game last season, less than only 9 out of the 25 listed. Two players listed averaged less than 10 points per game.
• Gordon averaged 7.2 rebounds per game last season, less than only 6 out of the 25 listed. Much-heralded big-man DJ White from Indiana averaged only .1 rebound per game more than Gordon, and Jamont is a point guard.
• Gordon averaged 5.3 assists per game last season, less than only two players listed.
• No player in America averaged at least 16ppg, 7rbg, and 5apg.

Stats don’t lie. No player in America did more for his team and himself than Jamont Gordon. Not appointing him as the best overall player, or even the best at his position – that’s arguable. Not listing Gordon in the top 25 players in America is ludicris.

Let’s go ahead and begin considering Vitale’s “opinions” humorous, considering the jokes that they are, and purchase him a pair of Kentucky/Duke pom-poms.

Rivals 2008 Top150 Updated

The Class of 2008 basketball recruit rankings have been updated, and here are the signees’ new positions, along with those who are interested in the SEC but haven’t signed. Recruits are listed from highest-ranked to lowest.

If the recruit is bolded, he has moved up in the rankings. If he’s in italics, he’s fallen in the rankings. If he’s neither, he’s unmoved.

• #1 overall, previously #1 – Greg Monroe [Interested in LSU, Florida] 
• #9 overall, previously #20 – Scotty Hopson [Mississippi State]
• #12 overall, previously #13 – Willie Warren [Interested in Kentucky]
• #16 overall, previously #16 – Elliot Williams [Interested in Tennessee]
• #17 overall, previously #15 – Kenny Kadji [Florida]
• #21 overall, previously #19 – DeAndre Liggins [Kentucky]
• #22 overall, previously #14 – Tyler Zeller [Interested in Tennessee]
• #25 overall, previously #21 – Jamychal Green [Interested in Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss]
• #27 overall, previously #22 – Angel Garcia [Interested in Florida]
• #30 overall, previously #24 – Howard Thompkins [Georgia]
• #38 overall, previously #43 – Tony Mitchell [Alabama]
• #52 overall, previously #50 – Romero Osby [Mississippi State]
• #65 overall, previously #63 – Phillip Jurick [Tennessee]
• #130 overall, previously #115 – Demarquis Bost [Mississippi State]
• #131 overall, previously #128 – Erving Walker [Florida]
• #141 overall, previously #123 – Ray Shimpan [Florida]
• #145 overall, previously unranked – Dustin Ware [Georgia]
• Unranked, previously #131 – Terrance Joyner [Arkansas]
• Unranked, previously unranked – Brandon Wilson [Ole Miss]

Out of the entire group, Mississippi State commit Scotty Hopson has gained the most ground, bouncing from the 20th overall position into the top 10 at ninth. The biggest loser was Florida commit Ray Shimpan, falling from 123rd to 141st – a drop of 18 spots.

Interesting to see how many SEC commits have fallen in the new rankings. Lack of respect, bad recruiting, or simply coincidence?

Tennessee releases schedule…

Here’s a look…

 vs. Temple
Legends Classic – Will host first two rounds
vs. Middle Tennessee
Legends Classic – Final two rounds in Newark, NJ.
vs. North Carolina A&T
vs. Louisana-Lafayette
@ UT-Chattanooga
@ Western Kentucky
vs. UNC-Asheville
@ Xavier
@ Gonzaga
vs. Ohio State
@ Memphis
————————-
vs. Ole Miss
vs. Arkansas
vs. Auburn
@ Miss. State
@ Alabama
@ LSU

Now this is what I call a schedule. Pearl has assured the team will be ready for the SEC schedule, playing four very competitive teams on the road in the pre-conference slate. At Mempis could be a top-five showdown, and Ohio State at home could prove to be a Top-25 matchup.

The Vols’ pairing versus the West is not necessarily favorable, as they must travel to MSU and Alabama, but are provided the opportunity to welcome Arkansas at home.

This looks to be a very entertaining schedule, and Tennessee will be challenged greatly this season.

Ranking the SEC Coaches

The Southeastern Conference has some of the highest-caliber head coaches in the country, that much is a fact. But which coaches lead the pack, and which coaches are on their way out? Here’s a list, best to worst, of those who can breathe easy and those who have to prove something this season.

Keep in mind, these rankings are based upon an estimated winning percentage from now until the end of each respective coach’s reign at their current programs.

1. Billy Donovan (Florida): Until proven otherwise, Donovan is the class of the SEC. With two consecutive national titles under his belt, top-tier recruits will be breaking down the door in Gainesville. Job Safety: 10/10

2. Billy Gillespie (Kentucky): Gillespie has turned two pathetic programs around within the span of one to two years each; UTEP from 6-24 to 24-8 in a year, and Texas A&M from 7-21 to the NCAA Tournament in two seasons. With the resources available to him now that he’s a Wildcat, who knows what is possible? Job Safety: 9/10

3. Bruce Pearl (Tennessee): Pearl proved he was the real deal when he turned an almost identical team around from a 14-17 record to 22-8 in a single year. Pearl’s success has attracted an onslaught of national attention along with high-end recruits. Tennessee seems to be set for quite a while. Job Safety: 10/10

4. Rick Stansbury (Mississippi State): Stansbury has doubled MSU’s post-season appearances in his nine-year stint at the program, including the school’s first four-year stretch of 20 wins or more. An impressive recruiter, Stansbury has been crippled by commits bouncing straight to the NBA. Now that this problem has been taken care of, look for even more high-end recruits to commit to the Bulldogs. Job Safety: 9/10

5. Andy Kennedy (Ole Miss): Kennedy is one of the ever-growing number of SEC coaches that have turned a program around in a single year, his from 14-16 to 21-13.  Kennedy seems to be a bold, motivated leader and just what Ole Miss needed. Job Safety: 10/10

6. Mark Gottfried (Alabama): Gottfried has consistency on his side, although consistently falling just short of expectations is his forte’. Gottfried is a poor game-coach, and even worse bench-coach, but has reached the Elite Eight in his tenure along with a decent overall record. Job Safety: 7/10

7. John Pelphrey (Arkansas): Arkansas took a significant risk in their hiring of Pelphrey, that after no less than seven other nominees turned the Razorbacks down. Pelphrey notched a decent record of 80-67 at South Alabama, but has only reached the NCAA tournament once. With the ‘Backs’ significant history of success, the pressure for winning will be immediate. Job Safety: 7/10

8. Kevin Stallings (Vanderbilt): Most ordinary fans don’t realize how difficult it is to recruit in the SEC, much less when your school has a set of admission standards much higher than any other school in the conference. With that said, Stallings has proven to be an above average recruiter, and was a point [and missed walking call] away from the Elite Eight last season. Job Safety: 8/10

9. John Brady (LSU): Despite an impressive Final Four run two years ago, Brady has under-achieved most every other year during his tenure. Brady seems especially inept at balanced recruiting, and was carried recently by superstar Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Job Safety: 4/10

10. Jeff Lebo (Auburn): Auburn was only a game away from an SEC West co-championship last season with what was arguably Lebo’s most talented and experienced squad under his tenure. Lebo is an average coach simply outclassed amongst a talent-rich SEC coaching staff. Job Safety: 5/10

11. Dennis Felton (Georgia): Felton has taken some time turning around a consistent cellar-dwelling SEC program, but there are signs the Bulldogs are headed in the right direction. Recruiting is improving slilghtly, and Georgia has become a tough nut to crack at home. Job Safety: 6/10

12. Dave Odom (South Carolina): Dave Odom has under-achieved almost every single year as a head coach, sometimes drastically. Odom has proven to be a formidable game-coach, but very poor recruiter and talent-manager. Odom must perform this year to avoid facing forced “retirement”. Job Safety: 2/10

The Best Joke Ever Told

There is a joke that trumps all jokes. One that is so ridiculous, so insanely ludicris that even the coldest, most protected individual is forced to succomb to overwhelming laughter. Or a smirk, at least.

This joke has a name. It’s called…”The NCAA Tournament Play-In Game”.

With so many ways to gawk, ridicule, and belittle, how can a simple blog author pick just one?

Let’s go ahead and get to the heart of the problem. In a tournament of 64 teams, the 65th team is snubbed. In a tournament of 16, it’d be the 17th team, and in a tournament of 256, it’d be the 257th team. If you’re the organization creating the rules (this is you, NCAA), you grit your teeth and bare the barrage of insults. It’s going to happen regardless, and the addition of the extra game is a joke in and of itself. If there is one element that holds the 64+1 team NCAA March Madness bracket from perfection, it’s the play-in game.

There is, however, something even more mind-boggling about all of this. If you were to ask an outsider to define a “play-in” game in referrence to a tournament setting, that person would likely describe two teams who must “play their way into” the tournament setting. However, this isn’t the case with March Madness. The NCAA forces the two lowest-selected auto-qualifying squads to face each other in this so-called “play-in” game.

Okay, now I’m confused. The two teams have already automatically qualified for inclusion in the tournament, yet they must “play their way in”?

So, here is my request. Either (A) Force the final two at-large selections to participate in the “play-in” game, or (B) Rename the game to “The Bottom Two Game” or something similar.

Or, the NCAA could show some intelligence for once and get rid of the abomination altogether.

It’s simply the best…

There just isn’t a sport that can compete with college basketball.

Of all major professional and collegiate athletics, few demand more on your mind and body than college hoops. The leaping, running, dodging, and constant adjustment of your body required to play this game is unrivaled.

The intensity of the fans is also unquestionable. Unless you’re in the student section, gazing around a collegiate – or professional for that matter – football stadium will unveil a number of bored, uninterested faces. Inside a collegiate basketball coliseum, you won’t find a single one. Every fan jumps to their feet, every fan screams at the top of their lungs, and every fan boos the other team.

And for desert, there’s March Madness. Oh yes, I’m going there. 64 teams in a single-elimination tournament for the title of National Champions. The idea itself will make you shivver. College football…BCS…need I say more? NCAA baseball isn’t bad, but a tad bit complicated and much less exciting. Nothing compares to March Madness.

NCAA basketball isn’t just a sport. It’s a way of life.

Thunder Down Under?

I know; it’s a tired cliche’, but it’s all I had.

Back to the topic at hand: Just how good is Andrew Ogilvy? Hailing from the great continent of Australia, Ogilvy is a signed 2007 freshman at Vanderbilt University who has been receiving an enormous amount of pre-season buzz, despite his 3-star ranking by Rivals.

Ogilvy was a member of the New South Wales team in the Under-20 National Tournament held this past February, and helped his team to a gold-medal finish while achieving First-Team All-Tournament status by averaging 17.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks during the tournament.

 NBADraft.net lists Ogilvy, the 6′10″ 250lb. 20th-ranked center in the class of 2007, as the 15th overall selection in a Mock NBA draft for 2008, listing the Australian standout as the top SEC pick this coming season.

With all of that said…forgive me if I’m not sold.

Ogilvy seems a decent pick-up for a team lacking in interior size, but 15th overall?!? Achieving that kind of success will effectively require the Commodore-to-be to replicate his tournament performance every single game in his freshman season, and that still likely wouldn’t be enough.

Not to be pessimistic, but I find it difficult to believe a true center who can only manage 9 rebounds, less than 18 points, and not block two shots per game versus high-school competition of any level will have what it takes to dominate as a starting inside-man in a conference with the caliber of talent as the Southeastern Conference.

Will he be a solid role-player? Sure. Will he be ready for the NBA after one year? Extremely doubtful. Will he be the 15th overall pick this coming year? Absolutely not.