More news on Crews…

Yes, I made it rhyme. Take that, first-grade bullies.

Apparently, earlier reports were incorrect. A police report was released today expressing a bag of marajuana found in Crews’ dorm room the night before his suspension. With this news seeming a bit more serious than before, Crews’ availability for the beginning of the season appears a bit more questionable.

Losing Crews for any amount of the season would be a significant hit for the Vols, as they will jump right into their schedule with the Legends Classic preceded only by a home game versus Temple.

However, this news would likely not effect the SEC picture much, as Crews would assumingly return before the SEC schedule begins.

I’ll never understand why, when their entire schooling is paid for, students can’t simply stay away from activities that would endanger that. Never in my life have I put myself in such a situation, and I’m having to work for my education.

More trouble…

This time with Tennessee. Duke Crews, a huge incoming recruit in 2005, is a starting small-forward and psuedo-inside man for the Vols and was suspended indefinitely recently for a violation of team rules.

Rumor is that Crews was skipping class, and that the decision did not have to do with drugs or illegal activity.

Question is, how long will Crews be gone? A bit of investigation has revealed that Crews should be back before the Volunteers’ first exhibition game, and that Crews was released until then to get his grades back in check.

As long as Crews doesn’t miss any of the season, this shouldn’t hurt Tennessee’s chances at a successful season.

NCAA fans, bow down…

Kentucky basketball fans are, bar none, the most dedicated group of fans that has ever existed. In all of history. Period.

The University of Kentucky has officially asked fans not to line up more than 3 days before the release of tickets for Kentucky’s annual Midnight Madness event. This will mark the third year in a row that Kentucky has packed out the 23,000-seat Rupp Arena for a practice.

Kentucky basketball fans are only rivaled by Alabama football fans, who packed out the 92,000-seat Bryant Stadium for Alabama’s first open practice last spring, called the A-Day Game.

Insanity, yes. But every fan of any other program should both respect and strive for this level of dedication - even if it borders on the edge of ridiculous.

I don’t condone unlawful behavior, but…

if you’re going to get in trouble with the police, this is a badass way to do it…

Basically, Frank Tolbert - a starting guard and one of three seniors on the Auburn basketball team - broke into an impound and stole his Tahoe back…and drove through the fence in which it was held.

Now, this is certainly unacceptable behavior. No doubt to that one. But, it’s humorous and certainly one of the less harmful ways to get into trouble.

Auburn’s season would certainly take a hit if Tolbert were to be suspended for any length of time, but I don’t suspect that to be the case. Insteresting story, though.

Schedule Breakdown: Vanderbilt

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. Austin Peay
@ Toledo
vs. Valparaiso
vs. Utah State - South Padre Island Shootout
vs. Iowa or Bradley - South Padre Island Shootout
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. South Carolina
@ Kentucky
@ Tennessee
vs. LSU
@ Florida
@ Ole Miss
vs. Auburn
@ Georgia
@ South Carolina
vs. Kentucky
vs. Florida
vs. Georgia
vs. Tennessee
@ Arkansas
vs. Mississippi State
@ Alabama

This would put the Commodores at (19-12) and (7-9) on the year, good enough for a high NIT bid, around a 1 or 2. With a win in the SEC tournament, Vandy could squeak into the NCAA’s.

So, there ya have it - preseason predictions for every SEC team and every game. Once the season blesses us with its coming, I will be making weekly predictions on every game (along with scores and spread coverage) and tallying my results.

There’s much more to come, so stay tuned!

NCAA proven right…

Billy Smith, Tennessee transfer Tyler Smith’s father, has passed away. Tyler, if you’ll remember, transferred into Tennessee in order to be closer to his ailing father, who was suffering from cancer.

The NCAA allowed Smith to transfer in without losing the year of elligibility due to the extreme circumstances - and has now been proven correct. The decision was a good one, otherwise Tyler would likely have not been close enough to be by his father’s side as he passed.

Not often will you hear me say this, but the NCAA got something right. In such a tragic time for Tennessee and Smith, great to see that the correct decision was made.

Schedule Breakdown: Tennessee

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. Temple
vs. TBA - Legends Classic (Knoxville, TN)
vs. TBA - Legends Classic (Knoxville, TN)
vs. Middle Tennessee State
vs. TBA - Legends Classic (Newark, NJ)
vs. TBA - Legends Classic (Newark, NJ)
vs. North Carolina A&T
vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
@ UT-Chattanooga
vs. Western Kentucky - Nashville, TN
vs. UNC-Asheville
@ Xavier
@ Gonzaga
———————–
vs. Ole Miss
@ South Carolina
vs. Vanderbilt
vs. Ohio State
@ Kentucky
vs. Georgia
@ Alabama
@ Mississippi State
vs. Florida
@ LSU
vs. Arkansas
@ Georgia
vs. Auburn
@ Memphis
@ Vanderbilt
vs. Kentucky
@ Florida
vs. South Carolina

This gives Tennessee a record of (26-5) and (13-3), with a share of the SEC title. This great record versus a high-RPI schedule should grant Tennessee a top seed going into the tournament.

Updated alabama prediction…

With the loss of Steele, I am going to go back and alter some predictions to more accurately predict Alabama’s (and their opponents’) record.

Schedule Breakdown: South Carolina

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. South Carolina State
vs. The Citadel
vs. Southern California
vs. Penn State - Old Spice Classic (Orlando, FL)
vs. TBA - Old Spice Classic (Orlando, FL)
vs. TBA - Old Spice Classic (Orlando, FL)
vs. Campbell
@ Clemson
vs. Providence - Philadelphia, PA
vs. Baylor
vs. College of Charleston
vs. UC-Irvine
vs. Radford
vs. UNC-Asheville
———————
@ Vanderbilt
vs. Tennessee
@ Arkansas
vs. Florida
@ Kentucky
vs. Georgia
@ Ole Miss
vs. Vanderbilt
@ Georgia
vs. Alabama
@ Florida
vs. Mississippi State
vs. LSU
@ Auburn
vs. Kentucky
@ Tennessee

South Carolina won’t be going much of anywhere this season with a (14-16) and (4-12) projected record, which would leave the Gamecocks well short of a postseason bid.

Ronald Steele to redshirt…

Alabama senior-to-be and former first-team All-American Ronald Steele will redshirt this season and play his senior season with his brother, Andrew.

This will provide Alabama with less experience and leadership, but more potential talent and give the backups some more playing time (something Gottfried isn’t fond of).

This will bring Alabama back down to Earth, maybe a few less wins and a high NIT bid. Losing both Davidson and Steele in one season could devastate the Tide’s chances at a big season this year, but should help out tremendously next season, when both State and Arkansas are looking to lose a serious amount of talent and experience.

Schedule Breakdown: Ole Miss

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. Mississippi Valley State
vs. South Alabama
vs. Lamar
vs. Louisiana-Monroe
vs. Troy
vs. New Mexico
@ UCF
vs. Winthrop - Jackson, MS.
vs. DePaul - San Juan Shootout (San Juan, Peurto Rico)
vs. LaSalle - San Juan Shootout (San Juan, Peurto Rico)
vs. Clemson - San Juan Shootout (San Juan, Peurto Rico)
@ Southern Miss
vs. Alabama A&M
———————
@ Tennessee
vs. LSU
vs. Florida
@ Auburn
@ Mississippi State
vs. Vanderbilt
vs. South Carolina
@ Arkansas
vs. Presbyterian College
@ Alabama
vs. Auburn
vs. Mississippi State
@ LSU
@ Kentucky
vs. Alabama
vs. Arkansas
@ Georgia

A rebuilding year should put Ole Miss around (13-17) and (3-13), along with no postseason bid.

Site Problems

My entire Other College Hoops blogroll category has disappeared, and I am now unable to add links to my site. Bare with me while I work through this problem, and if you know of a solution please contact me. Thanks!

Schedule Breakdown: Mississippi State

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. Clemson
vs. Tennessee-Martin
vs. UC-Irvine - Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, CA)
vs. Southern Illinois/Chattanooga - Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, CA)
vs. TBA - Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, CA)
vs. Murray State
vs. Southeastern Louisiana
vs. Miami (FL)
@ South Alabama
@ Loyola Marymount
@ Texas A&M Corpus-Christi
vs. Missouri
vs. Lafayette College - Jackson, MS
————————————
@ LSU
vs. Georgia
vs. Kentucky
@ Alabama
vs. Ole Miss
@ Arkansas
vs. Tennessee
vs. Alabama
@ Auburn
vs. Arkansas
@ Ole Miss
@ South Carolina
vs. Auburn
@ Florida
@ Vanderbilt
vs. LSU

After close research, I’ve come up with a (26-4) and (13-3) record for the Bulldogs. State’s schedule suits them extremely well this coming season, only travelling to USC, a rebuilding Florida, and a Byars-less Vanderbilt while owning home-court advantage to a Kentucky team MSU played to a four-point game in Lexington a year ago, SEC-favorite Tennessee, and an improved Georgia team.

The schedule suits up well for MSU, and the Bulldogs should be challenging Tennessee for the SEC title as well as a seed in the NCAA Tournament as high as a 1-3 seed.

Interesting time of year…

The beginning of the schoolyear is always an interesting time of year. No, there’s no basketball going on at this point, but with the players falling short of qualifications, suspensions and arrests, and injuries, August and September dictate almost as much of the upcoming season as January and February does.

 Recently, Conference USA has had a bit of trouble with the law. UAB had five, yep - five, players arrested in one night, including former Mississippi State transfer Walter Sharpe. In addition, two Memphis backups were arrested for “inciting a riot”. Let’s get some control of your men, coaches. Memphis also received more bad news, as two Top 100 recruits for the 2008 class decommitted and are now considering other schools.

As if Duqeusne hasn’t had enough turmoil recently, power forward Stuard Baldonado was arrested twice in two days on drug charges. Smart, huh? And then coach Everhart was hospitalized yesterday following his colon surgery. Yikes.

Oklahoma State will be playing this season without their only big-man with game experience, as Kenny Cooper has decided to transfer from the program.

Three-star freshman small forward Johnny Thomas has injured his knee and will be taking a medical redshirt this season.

Many more stories will be filtering in, and I’m sure some of them will relate to the SEC - just hopefully the good ones. The season’s taking shape and I for one am ready.

Schedule Breakdown: LSU

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. Southeastern Louisiana
vs. McNeese State
vs. Oklahoma State - Maui Invitational (Maui, HI)
vs. Marquette/Chaminade - Maui Invitational (Maui, HI)
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. Mississippi State
@ Ole Miss
vs. Auburn
@ Vanderbilt
vs. Arkansas
@ Auburn
@ Alabama
vs. Tennessee
@ Florida
vs. Kentucky
@ Arkansas
vs. Ole Miss
@ South Carolina
vs. Georgia
vs. Alabama
@ Mississippi State

This scenario sees LSU going (11-1 and (3-13) on the season, with the bottom falling out in Baton Rouge and Brady likely being ushered out the door. Poor scheduling and an unfavorable SEC draw will cost the Tigers dearly this season. This would obviously leave LSU without a postseason bid.

Yeah, I know…

it’s getting monotonous around here, but these schedule breakdowns were promised and on they will go until we’re done! There will be more to come afterwards, though - so keep on readin’!

Schedule Breakdown: Kentucky

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

TBA - 2K Sports College Hoops Classic (Lexington, KY)
TBA - 2K Sports College Hoops Classic (Lexington, KY)
TBA - 2K Sports College Hoops Classic (New York, NY)
TBA - 2K Sports College Hoops Classic (New York, NY)
vs. Liberty
vs. Texas Southern
vs. Stony Brook
vs. North Carolina
@ Indiana
vs. UAB
@ Houston
vs. Tennessee Tech
vs. San Diego
vs. Florida International
vs. Louisville
————————–
vs. Vanderbilt
@ Mississippi State
@ Florida
vs. Tennessee
vs. South Carolina
@ Georgia
@ Auburn
vs. Alabama
@ Vanderbilt
@ LSU
vs. Georgia
vs. Arkansas
vs. Ole Miss
@ Tennessee
@ South Carolina
vs. Florida

This record would put the Wildcats at (23- and (11-5) on the year, easily placing into their hands a NCAA Tournament at-large bid - around a 3 or 4 seed considering their very strong RPI.

Schedule Breakdown: Georgia

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

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

This count would set the Bulldogs at (16-11) and (7-9) in the SEC. Keep in mind there should be 1 or 2 more games in the Rainbow Classic, which could boost the Dawgs up near 17 or 18 wins. With a weak overall RPI, this should set Georgia up with an NIT bid, near a 3 or 4 seed.

Schedule Breakdown: Florida

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. North Dakota State
vs. Tennessee Tech
vs. UNC-Central
vs. Rutgers
vs. North Florida
vs. Florida State
vs. Stetson
vs. Vermont - Tampa, FL
vs. Jacksonville
vs. Florida A&M
vs. Georgia Southern - Jacksonville, FL
@ Ohio State
vs. Temple - Sunrise, FL
vs. High Point
—————————-
@ Alabama
vs. Auburn
@ Ole Miss
vs. Kentucky
@ South Carolina
vs. Vanderbilt
@ Arkansas
@ Tennessee
vs. Georgia
vs. LSU
@ Vanderbilt
vs. South Carolina
@ Georgia
vs. Mississippi State
vs. Tennessee
@ Kentucky

This would put the Gators at (21-9) and (8- on the season. A very weak RPI would still grant Florida with a NCAA bid, around a 10 or 11 seed.

Schedule Breakdown: Auburn

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

@ 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. Arkansas
@ Florida
@ LSU
vs. Ole Miss
vs. Presbyterian College
@ Alabama
vs. LSU
@ Vanderbilt
vs. Kentucky
vs. Mississippi State
@ Ole Miss
@ Tennessee
vs. Alabama
@ Mississippi State
vs. South Carolina
vs. Georgia
@ Arkansas

I have the Tigers at (19-10) and (8- for the season. This would put them just squarely on the bubble for the NCAA’s, possibly making the cut as a 10-11 seed.

Schedule Breakdown: Arkansas

Predicted wins and losses, with wins in bold and losses italicized.

vs. Wofford
vs. College of Charleston - Puerto Rico Tipoff (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
vs. Providence/Temple - Puerto Rico Tipoff (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
vs. TBA - 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
—————————
@ Auburn
vs. Alabama
vs. South Carolina
@ Georgia
@ LSU
vs. Mississippi State
vs. Florida
vs. Ole Miss
@ Tennessee
@ Mississippi State
vs. LSU
@ Kentucky
@ Alabama
vs. Vanderbilt
@ Ole Miss
vs. Auburn

This scenario gives the Razorbacks an overall record of (25-5) and (12-4). This would easily provide Pelphrey’s squad with an at-large NCAA bid - around a 4 or 5 seed due to the below average strength of schedule out of conference.

Schedule Breakdown: Alabama

Here’s how it will work. The schedule will be listed again, this time a complete schedule with all the SEC games, with wins being bolded and losses being italicized. None of those sissy “toss-up” games…I’ll call it either a “W” or an “L”. At the end, you’ll see a total for regular-season wins and losses, as well as SEC wins and losses predicted.

With that said, I’ll work down the list of SEC schools alphabetically, meaning Alabama is first! Here goes.

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
@ Arkansas
@ Georgia
vs. Mississippi State
vs. Auburn
vs. Tennessee
vs. LSU
@ Mississippi State
@ Kentucky
vs. Ole Miss
@ South Carolina
@ Auburn
vs. Arkansas
@ Ole Miss
@ LSU
vs. Vanderbilt

This would put the Crimson Tide at (19-12) and (7-9). That would put Alabama just outside the NCAA bubble, with a 1 or 2 seed in the NIT.

Next up: Arkansas.