California-bound!

Alright guys, so tomorrow I’m embarking on my third cross-country road trip in as many years and second in the past three years from Alabama to California and back.

I’ll be gone until around the 10th of August, and I’ll pick up where I left off then. Hold tight, and start checking again in mid-August!!

2008-09 SEC Bomber Award

The next addition to the series is the SEC’s player most willing to fire the bomb from long-range. Considering this is formulated as minutes per three attempted, this category relies heavily upon a player’s three-point percentage and the amount of minutes played, along with other intangibles such as what role the player filled on the team. So, needless to say, this isn’t necessarily a positive category nor a negative one.

Wanted to note that I’ve gotten a couple of tips that these rankings seem to be a bit dry. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the beast with these rankings, and there’s not much I can do to improve that. These posts are serving as something interesting and unique to quell the true college hoops fan’s hunger for the sport until the season comes around. Once the categories have been exhausted, I’ll be breaking down incoming recruits, and eventually moving onto preseason awards and rankings. Until then, skim over (or absorb) these posts!

Now, for the standard explanation of this whole process – you can skip this if you’ve read it before…

These awards are meant to effectively and accurately pick the best (and worst) performers in each category. Thus, a line was drawn roughly around the area of 15 games played and/or 40 minutes – 1 full game – played as a minimum. This was done to limit the effect of outliers bringing to our attention surprising walk-ons that could be, according to the stats, future superstars.

Obviously, these awards are not all-encompassing. Players that transferred or any other players that didn’t play for any reason last season are not included.

Be sure to understand that each of these categories, alone, are misleading. For example, if a player won Least Minutes/Assist but also finished last in Least Minutes/Turnover, it is not as impressive. Combining these rankings and statistics will give a more clear and well-rounded picture, but these rankings are fun nonetheless.

 

The winner is…

 

TROY BREWER – Georgia, Transfer – 3.75 – Last Year: 3.29
Brewer was a work in progress from the moment he stepped foot on Georgia’s campus. Brewer had talent but was an absolutely awful shooter, considering his 22.5 percent effort from behind the arc despite attempting an average of over 10 per every 40 minutes. Brewer never saw the amount of minutes he wanted and opted to transfer after two years under Dennis Felton.

The others…

2. Tay Waller – Auburn, Senior – 3.82 – Last Year: N.A.
Waller, already awared the 2008-09 Nothin’ But Net Award, was arguably a more potent three-point threat than the famed Jodie Meeks of the Wildcat Blue last season. Waller served as Auburn’s main (if not only) offensive weapon from long-range, and he was an extremely effective one. He’d challenge for SEC Player of the Year is the Tigers had a chance to be a good team in 2009-10.

3. Renaldo Woolridge – Tennessee, Sophomore – 4.10 – Last Year: N.A.
Woolridge excelled in no area other than ball-handling and selflessness in his freshman season with the Vols. The guard/forward barely hit 30 percent from the floor and was under 28 percebt from three yet hoisted 69 of his 90 shot attempts on the year from there. Woolridge has an enormous amount of improvement to endure before truly becoming competitive in the SEC.

4. Rickey McPhee – Georgia, Senior - 4.26 – Last Year: N.A.
Proving the ineptitude of Georgia’s offense under Felton, McPhee ranks as the second UGA player in the SEC’s top-four most prolific three-point shooters. Unlike Brewer, however, McPhee has a workable game with a nice jump-shot. If McPhee could become more versatile inside the three-point line, he could play an important role in Georgia’s backcourt next season.

5. Jodie Meeks – Kentucky, NBA Draft – 4.30 – Last Year: 5.10
Meeks, one of the league’s biggest superstars in 2008-09, clocks in with his fourth-consecutive positive mention and the only player to have made all four lists thus far. Meeks has always been a dangerous shooter, and he was called upon to step up last season by Gillispie. He did so in an enormous way, serving as the only SEC player to qualify for the league’s minimum attempts and shoot over 40 percent from three. Meeks’ departure was a massive blow for Kentucky.

6. David Huertas – Ole Miss, Overseas – 4.38 – Last Year: 4.38
Although it’s irrelevant, this was the first player I’ve noticed to match his efficiency number from the previous year. Pretty neat. Anyway, Huertas’ loss should limit or destroy the Rebels’ chances at overtaking MSU in the West next season, as he poured in over 18 points per game from all over the floor.

7. Rotnei Clarke – Arkansas, Sophomore – 4.47 – Last Year: N.A.
Clarke is one of, if not the single-most talented rising sophomores in the league. Clarke did everything for the Razorbacks last season, and did so with efficiency numbers generally saved for upperclassmen. Clarke will be an SEC superstar if Arkansas can ever find its feet, although this seems unlikely for 2009-10 due to the team’s heavy off-season losses.

8. Chris Warren – Ole Miss, Junior – 4.67 – Last Year: 4.22
Warren suffered a season-ending injury toward the early part of the season, and his team suffered heavily because of it. Warren is nothing short of a genius at the point-guard position, and is a tremendous all-around asset for the Rebels. Warren shot effectively from three during his freshman season but barely hit 30 percent of them last season.

9. Cameron Tatum – Tennessee, Sophomore – 4.67 – Last Year: N.A.
Tatum is a talented guard/forward who suffered from the Vols’ lack of guards a season ago. He put up 134 threes in 217 attempts and brought down just 32.1% of those. Tatum is competitive at every aspect of the game, but needs to improve to challenge for a starting position. His free-throw percentage, defense and rebounding all need tweeking.

10. Brandon Hollinger – Alabama, Graduated – 4.98 – Last Year: 7.49
Hollinger was a backup shooter whose effectiveness absolutely plummeted when senior Ronald Steele left the team. Steele was one of the league’s best point guards, and was able to build a chemistry with Hollinger that led him to hit over 43 percent of his threes during his junior year. During his last year for the Crimson Tide, he shot just 17.5 percent from that range.

 

The opposite end of the spectrum…
Minimum of 10 total threes attempted set

 

1. Perry Stevenson – Kentucky, Senior – 101.00 – Last Year: N.A.

2. Tasmin Mitchell – LSU, Senior – 59.84 – Last Year: 13.20

3. Brian Williams – Tennessee, Junior – 55.90 – Last Year: 185.00

4. Terrance Henry – Ole Miss, Junior – 34.65 – Last Year: N.A.

5. J.P. Prince – Tennessee, Senior – 34.08 – Last Year: 39.08

6. Michael Washington – Arkansas, Senior – 30.03 – Last Year: 17.33

7. A.J. Ogilvy – Vanderbilt, Junior – 29.59 – Last Year: 448.00

8. Ramon Harris – Kentucky, Senior – 27.36 – Last Year: 24.36

9. Ray Shipman – Florida, Sophomore – 23.70 – Last Year: N.A.

10. Darshawn McClellan – Vanderbilt, Junior – 22.74 – Last Year: 47.90

2008-09 SEC Nothin’ But Net Award

Continuing the series, this award goes to the most efficient three-point shooter in the conference. This category, as a whole, is mostly positive and doesn’t rely too heavily on any others, although three-point percentage and number of attempts would be relevant. While it’s possible for a poor shooter to make this list, it’s not likely.

Now, for the standard explanation of this whole process – you can skip this if you’ve read it before…

These awards are meant to effectively and accurately pick the best (and worst) performers in each category. Thus, a line was drawn roughly around the area of 15 games played and/or 40 minutes – 1 full game – played as a minimum. This was done to limit the effect of outliers bringing to our attention surprising walk-ons that could be, according to the stats, future superstars.

Obviously, these awards are not all-encompassing. Players that transferred or any other players that didn’t play for any reason last season are not included.

Be sure to understand that each of these categories, alone, are misleading. For example, if a player won Least Minutes/Assist but also finished last in Least Minutes/Turnover, it is not as impressive. Combining these rankings and statistics will give a more clear and well-rounded picture, but these rankings are fun nonetheless.

 

The winner is…

 

TAY WALLER – Auburn, Senior – 10.40 – Last Year: N.A.
This is a pretty shocking upset, as Waller was practically unknown amongst the media types who regularly drooled over Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks. Waller provided a vast majority of Auburn’s points from behind the arc – 272 attempts worth – and brought down a solid percentage of those shots. Waller is a reliable ball-handler, a somewhat streaky shooter overall and a great shot from the charity stripe.

The others…

2. Jodie Meeks – Kentucky, NBA Draft – 10.57 – Last Year: 15.94
Meeks was the super-star shooter of the SEC last season, and for good reason. Meeks easily led the conference by hitting 40.6% of his 288 attempts from long-range, which also led the league. Meeks carried the Wildcats a season ago, with his speed and pure shooting ability nearly unstoppable for five opponents to guard, much less one.

3. Rotnei Clarke – Arkansas, Sophomore – 11.37 – Last Year: N.A.
One of only two Razorbacks to start every game last season, Clarke likely would have challenged, if not won, SEC Freshman of the Year had he played for a team that didn’t crash and burn worse than the Hindenburg. Clarke – as a freshman, mind you – shot nearly 40% from behind the arc, 93.5% from the charity stripe, and managed a 1.28 assist-to-turnover ratio. This kid will be a superstar if and when Arkansas ever gets some feet beneath its program.

4. Rickey McPhee – Georgia, Senior – 11.71 – Last Year: N.A.
McPhee was little-used last season for the Bulldogs, as he saw just 25 games, but proved to be a solid contributor. Just 14 of his 80 shots were not from three-point distance, as he didn’t necessarily favor being guarded. McPhee isn’t a big-time player, but a solid shooter on a team in desperate need of role-players.

5. Evaldas Banilius – South Carolina, Senior – 11.81 – Last Year: 12.71
Banilius is likely the best shooter in the league, if not one of the best in the nation, that noone has heard about. He didn’t come close to attempting enough shots to be counted, but if he had he’d be the best three-point shooter in the league barring outliers at 48.0% with 100 attempts. Banilius needs to work on his ball-handling and defense, but is a dangerous shooter that thrives with Downey at the point.

6. David Huertas – Ole Miss, Overseas - 12.35 – Last Year: 12.15
Huertas became the prime offensive weapon for the Rebels after the team suffered a loss of three starters as the season began. Huertas led the team with 18.1 points per game, but took an inordinate amount of shots from long-range and wasn’t spectacularly efficient. Huertas was the best option for the Rebels last season, but if the returning players can get healthy, some more efficient scorers need to pick up the slack left by his departure.

7. Erving Walker – Florida, Sophomore – 12.41 – Last Year: N.A.
Walker joins Clarke and a select few other SEC sophomores that could have garnered SEC Freshman of the Year in better circumstances and have the potential to be SEC Player of the Year eventually. Walker is an outstanding shot from three – and everywhere else on the court – is admirably selfless with the ball, and is solid on defense.

8. Ravern Johnson – Mississippi State, Junior – 13.25 – Last Year: 26.71
Johnson, who led the nation in three-point percentage after the halfway-point last season, is one of the most dangerous pure-shooters in the league. His slashing skills began to surface last season, but his height of his body and his jump-shot are nearly impossible for most guards to defend. Johnson is a Meeks-like shooter with SEC Player of the Year potential if he could work on his turnovers.

9. Brad Tinsley – Vanderbilt, Sophomore – 13.91 – Last Year: N.A.
Tinsley falls into the previously mentioned list of super-star freshmen who are set to hit the league big-time. Tinsley put up huge efficiency numbers as a freshman in the wake of Shan Foster’s departure, and is an outstanding shooter. Tinsley can score from anywhere on the floor and defends very well. Tinsley and Ogilvy should make an exciting pair in 2009-10.

10. Marcus Thornton – LSU, Graduated – 14.31 – Last Year: 11.59
Thornton’s production-per-minute dropped severely from a season ago, and it’s surprising to see such a talented shooter so low on the list. Thornton worked on shot selection and his percentages increased while his timed efficiency took a hit. Thornton – the league’s Player of the Year in 2008-09 – was still overwhelmingly potent on the offensive end and clearly the best overall player in the league.

 

The opposite end of the spectrum…
Minimum of 10 total threes made set

 

1. Tasmin Mitchell – LSU, Senior – 113.70 – Last Year: N.A.

2. Quantez Robertson – Auburn, Graduated – 58.82 – Last Year: 36.00

3. George Drake – Vanderbilt, Senior – 52.20 – Last Year: 66.00

4. Zac Swansey – Georgia, Transfer – 51.33 – Last Year: 55.30

5. DeAndre Liggins – Kentucky, Sophomore – 45.50 – Last Year: N.A.

6. Dominique Archie – South Carolina, Senior – 43.43 – Last Year: 42.04

7. Darius Miller – Kentucky, Sophomore – 42.44 – Last Year: N.A.

8. Josh Tabb – Tennessee, Senior – 40.43 – Last Year: 65.25

9. Tyler Smith – Tennessee, Senior – 39.54 – Last Year: 72.64

10. Alonzo Gee – Alabama, Graduated – 38.04 – Last Year: 27.61

Updates on the Arkansas situation…

This Arkansas situation is getting deeper.

First – be sure and understand all of this is purely speculation and may or may not have any accuracy. I struggle tirelessly to bring the most accurate and truthful information, and to this date I haven’t been wrong, but I continue to emphasize the importance of understanding that all of this could be completely incorrect.

With that said, the word is that Welsh both failed a drug test as well as dropping a course he needed to pass to remain elligible for the fall. Welsh very well could not see any playing time next season, but almost certainly won’t be kicked off of the team for several reasons. First, Pelphrey’s contract supposedly states that if Arkansas’ APR falls to the point of losing a scholarship, he may be fired at any point without severance pay. Arkansas’ APR is supposedly at 888 at the moment, 37 points shy of the NCAA’s 925 minimum.

In addition, Welsh has close ties to recently departed Arkansas guard/forward Jason Henry and the Razorbacks’ biggest incoming recruit, Marshawn Powell. Powell is supposedly so close with Welsh that if Welsh and his playing time were to be endangered, Powell would reconsider attending Arkansas.

This much is clear; Pelphrey has dug himself a very deep hole.

Welsh suspended indefintely…

 

Welsh Suspended

 As the remainder of the SEC crouches, poised to attack the national scene in a big way in 2009-10, the tiny wheels that the Razorback train was running on have begun to fall off over the off-season, and in a massive way.

After suffering four defections this summer, Pelphrey today suspended stand-out senior Stefan Welsh. While there is very little solid information regarding the situation out there, the commonly-accepted rumor is that the suspension is drug-related and that the suspension won’t include just off-season time.

More substantiated rumor claims that Welsh dropped out of a summer class he needed to qualify for the Fall, so he will not be returning to the team until at least January, where any game-suspensions would then go into play. Rumor is he will not be released from the team for this, mainly due to Arkansas’ absolutely abysmal APR rating. Arkansas will be lucky not to lose a scholarship following this season due to the huge losses over this summer.

Welsh is a huge piece of the Arkansas puzzle, as he contributed 11.5 points per game last year and looked to be one of just two scholarship seniors on the team in 2009-10. Whatever amount of time the ‘Backs play without Welsh will be embarassing – the squad will be down to five scholarship players plus five freshmen, only one of which has four stars or more.

Things are not looking good in Fayetteville at the moment, and I’d be shocked if Pelphrey has a job come next April.

2008-09 Hot Hands Award…

Time to pick up the pace around here, people. This award is given to the player who puts up the most shots in the amount of time he is on the floor. The calculation is simple; field goals attempted per minute played. This category isn’t necessarily positive or negative – that would rely heavily on these players’ percentages and turnover rates. What it does show, however, is a surplus of confidence and eagerness to be in the limelight.

Now, for the standard explanation of this whole process – you can skip this if you’ve read it before…

These awards are meant to effectively and accurately pick the best (and worst) performers in each category. Thus, a line was drawn roughly around the area of 15 games played and/or 40 minutes – 1 full game – played as a minimum. This was done to limit the effect of outliers bringing to our attention surprising walk-ons that could be, according to the stats, future superstars.

Obviously, these awards are not all-encompassing. Players that transferred or any other players that didn’t play for any reason last season are not included.

Be sure to understand that each of these categories, alone, are misleading. For example, if a player won Least Minutes/Assist but also finished last in Least Minutes/Turnover, it is not as impressive. Combining these rankings and statistics will give a more clear and well-rounded picture, but these rankings are fun nonetheless.

 

The winner is…

 

DEVAN DOWNEY – Senior, South Carolina – 1.93 – Last Year: 2.32
Downey and Thornton finished 1 and 2 for the second-straight year, while Downey jumped a spot this year to claim first place. Downey is a dynamic pint-sized (5′9″) point guard who has blazing speed and the moves to drive to the basket while the lumbering bodies of those around him stumble  over themselves trying to stop the layup. Downey will be a favorite for SEC Player of the Year in 2009-10.

The others…

2. Marcus Thornton – Graduated, LSU – 2.06 – Last Year: 2.15
Thornton increased his already extreme output from a year ago, but was just surpassed by Downey. Thornton is quick and dynamic, but more of a pure shooter than Downey as he was one of the most dangerous outside threats in the conference. Thornton was everything for LSU a year ago, and he carried the load again this year despite a bit more help around him on and off the sidelines.

3. Jodie Meeks – NBA Draft, Kentucky – 2.18 – Last Year: 2.90
Meeks was the SEC’s superstar last year, taking his name from outsie any All-SEC lists to the NBA draft. He’s always liked to shoot, but he bursted onto the scene this season in a big way, leading the conference in scoring at 23.7 points per game. Meeks was Kentucky’s only true shooting threat, and thus the offense ran through him and big-man Patrick Patterson.

4. Chris Warren – Junior, Ole Miss – 2.21 – Last Year: 2.42
Warren is a potential superstar who had a phenomenal freshman year before suffering an injury 11 games into the 2008-09 season. If he can return to form, he’ll be one of the league’s scorers and one of the nation’s best ball-handlers. Warren is an excellent all-around player, as his percentages and efficiency numbers are through the roof. Warren will vie for SEC Player of the Year honors by his senior season if he can return to 100%.

5. Travis Leslie – Sophomore, Georgia – 2.33 – Last Year: N.A.
Leslie, while admirably brave for a freshman, was a bit of a ball-hog last season. His numbers can’t be overlooked, as he was pretty efficient at bringing home the points as well, but his 0.59 assist-to-turnover ratio and 57.5% mark from the charity stripe will have to improve for him to truly have a significant impact for the Bulldogs.

6. Trey Thompkins – Sophomore, Georgia – 2.36 – Last Year: N.A.
Thompkins was easily the most underrated freshman in the league last year, as he shot nearly 40% from three – and this is a 6′9″, 247 pound big-man. Thompkins is one of the most versatile players in the conference, and he will once again be relied upon heavily by a talent-starved Georgia team.

7. David Huertas – Overseas, Ole Miss – 2.39 – Last Year: 2.72
While Ole Miss fans will likely brush this loss off, losing Huertas to professional play overseas was a massive blow to the Rebels’ chances at a breakout season in 2009-10. Huertas led the team in scoring and was one of the team’s most prolific rebounders and ball-handlers. Huertas needed tp step up after three starters fell to season-ending injuries, and he did so with flair.

8. Zam Fredrick – Graduated, South Carolina – 2.39 – Last Year: 2.58
Fredrick was an under-the-radar type who was a reliable shooting presence to take some defensive heat off of Downey. Fredrick was Downey’s favorite target outside the arc, and he brought treys down at nearly a 38% clip.

9. Senario Hillman – Junior, Alabama – 2.40 – Last Year: 3.40
Hillman is a pure slasher, and not much else. He attempted over 100 threes a season ago and barely made over 27% of them, while he had a tendency to turn the ball over as well. Hillman was one of the Tide’s few options last year, but more of the offense should have been flowing through Gee and Green.

10. Wayne Chism – Senior, Tennessee – 2.47 – Last Year: 2.79
If a man named Tyler Smith didn’t play for the Vols, Chism would be a superstar. Chism is without a doubt better at his position than Smith, although not as versatile. Chism is one of the league’s best inside-men both offensively and defensively, and his efficiency numbers are outstanding. While he won’t get the publicity, Chism is the scariest player on Tennessee’s roster.

The opposite end of the spectrum…

1. Robert Wilder – Senior, South Carolina – 35.75 – Last Year: 4.67

2. Chris Bass – Sophomore, LSU – 10.62 – Last Year: N.A.

3. Kevin Cantinol – Sophomore, Ole Miss – 8.70 – Last Year: N.A.

4. Demetrius Jemison – Senior, Alabama – 7.42 – Last Year: 4.57

5. Quintin Thornton – Graduated, LSU – 7.37 – Last Year: 16.77

6. Steven Pearl – Junior, Tennessee – 7.30 – Last Year: 4.73

7. Branden Conrad – Graduated, South Carolina – 7.13 – Last Year: 15.33

8. Josh Tabb – Senior, Tennessee – 6.66 – Last Year: 7.91

 9. Marcus Britt – Junior, Arkansas – 6.66 – Last Year: 6.74

10. Darshawn McClellan – Junior, Vandebrilt – 6.62 – Last Year: 6.22

 

Please leave comments!!

Jason Henry leaves Arkansas…

Henry Leaves Arkansas

Yet another defection out of Fayetteville, this time in the form of Jason Henry. This makes the fourth member of Pelphrey’s 2008  six-man recruiting class to leave the team, and leaves questions flying amongst the Razorback faithful regarding Pelphrey’s future barring a miracle 2009-10 season.

Henry was a guard/forward who saw 23 games of action last year, and started twice. He was a talented shooter, hitting 42.4% of hsi shots last season, and solid rebounder at 4.4 rebounds per game along with 8.0 points per game.

While Arkansas was one of my favorites for dark-horse surprise-team in the SEC, this certainly hurts their chances. If the ‘Backs don’t at least make the NIT next season, Pelphrey could be following Lebo off of the coaching carousel in 09-10.