Tuesday game, Wednesday odds…

Overall: 90-18 (83.3%)
Vs. Spread: 32-26 (55.2%)

I’m unveiling a new couple of new elements to the breakdown of each game as we enter SEC play. The first is called the “Impact”. It’s pretty self explanatory - it’ll breakdown the psychological and tangible impact of each result on both teams involved in the game. Secondly, in the odds, are the “Keys” - things to watch that could away the game.

(11-5, 0-1) Alabama [83] vs. (14-2, 1-0) Florida [90]: This was simply a bad matchup for the Tide, as neither team played defense and the Gators outshot the Tide. In yet another close game, the victor shot from the charity stripe better, as Florida shot 80.8% from the line. Lucas and Calathes, both freshmen, shot the Gators to victory on a combined 11-of-21 performance, as Speights spent most of the game in foul trouble, and the two scored 19 and 21 points respectively. Gee and Hendrix were Alabama’s entire arsenal, as Gee notched 32 on 14-of-(what?!?) 25 attempts, while Hendrix only managed 11 attempts, hit 7 of them, and connected on 12-of-(what?!?) 21 attempts from the free throw line. That’s the most attempts from the stripe I’ve ever seen on a single player.
Impact [Alabama]: The Tide’s loss tonight is devastating. Regardless of if the Gators end up in the tournament, if Alabama finds itself on the bubble this loss at home will not look good. UA has now lost 2 of the last 3 on their approach to Fayetteville to meet Arkansas on Sunday. If the Tide can’t pull off an upset win at Arkansas, momentum will turn south and Alabama’s chances in the West will drastically decrease, while the following game at Georgia could be a “hangover” loss waiting to happen.
Impact [Florida]: The win was gigantic for the Gators, as this win sets Florida up for a 2-0 start as they face Auburn at home on Saturday before one of their toughest matchups so far on Wednesday at #13 Ole Miss. The Gators are well on their way to proving their worth to the NCAA committee.
Stat of the Game: Florida’s 23.1% free throw shooting advantage

Wednesday Odds

(8-4) Georgia [#190] vs. (7-6, 0-1) Georgia Tech [#90]
Spread: Georgia by 1.5
Pick: Georgia - It’s tough to make this call, because the Yellow Jackets are playing to the level of their competition.
—Keys: Georgia needs not overlook Tech towards SEC play, and play solid defense.

(7-7) LSU [#177] vs. (9-5) Mississippi State [#134]
Spread: Even
Pick: Mississippi State - LSU is playing horribly, and State’s main contributors are not new to this challenge. With that said, this pick guarantees an LSU win, because I apparently can not pick MSU correctly.
—Keys: Mississippi State’s interior defense, as the LSU guards have been utterly incapable so far.

(15-0) #17 Vanderbilt [#6] vs. (8-6) South Carolina [#147]
Spread: Vanderbilt by 8
Pick: Vanderbilt - The Commodores’ potent offense will stretch this out a bit more than 8 points.
—Keys: As long as Vanderbilt doesn’t suddenly go cold, this game shouldn’t be too tough.

(12-1) #7 Tennessee [#4] vs. (13-0) #13 Ole Miss [#20]
Spread: Tennessee by 11
Pick: Ole Miss - Although I still think the Vols take the game, Ole Miss has the offense to keep up with Tennessee.
—Keys: Will the Ole Miss frosh choke on the road in a big-game situation?

2007-2008 Preseason All-SEC Third Team

Here they are, in all their glory - listed in reverse order for optimal excitement, beginning with All-SEC Third Team…

All-SEC Third Team

Tasmin Mitchell (LSU - Forward - Junior - 14.5ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.0spg) - The only remaining star player from a team that reached the Final Four two years ago only to miss the postseason last year. Relied on too heavily for outside contributions, Mitchell is shooting only 25.9% from three. Regardless, Mitchell is an outstanding all-around player who contains excellent versatility and will be relied on heavily by the Tigers this season and will receive ample opportunity to fluff his stats sheets.

Wayne Chism (Tennessee - Center - Sophomore - 9.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 0.6bpg) - An athletic, but short, purely-inside man who greatly increased his production at the end of last season. Although Chism will likely be overshadowed by Iowa transfer Tyler Smith in the post, Chism should easily average over 10ppg this season, giving a guard-heavy Volunteer team a legitimate inside presence.

Charles Thomas (Arkansas - Power Forward - Senior - 10.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.2apg) - Another forward relied on too heavily to score from behind the arc. Thomas averaged only 17.9% from that range last season, athough Thomas led the Hogs in both offensive rebounding and free throw attempts last season meaning he can more than handle his own inside the paint. Thomas needs to work on his offensive game, but has tremendous rebounding potential - best seen in his 18-rebound effort versus Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament last season…more rebounds by a single Razorback in a single game in over 10 years.

Ramel Bradley (Kentucky - Point Guard - Senior - 13.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.8apg) - A combo guard slotted in the point guard position, Bradley loves to score from the field (42.0%), from three (36.7%) or the stripe (81.5%). That last mark ranked second in the conference. With that said, Bradley has the problem many floor generals do - giving the ball away…his assist-to-turnover ratio notched in at a meager 1.42 as he caused 91 turnovers on the season. If Bradley could work on his ball-handling, he has the potential to be one of the most effective points in the SEC.

Ben Hansbrough (Miss. State - Guard - Sophomore - 7.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.2apg) - Brother of National Player of the Year candidate Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina, Ben shares his love for the game and drive to win with his older sibling. Hansbrough ranked second in the SEC from behind the arc as a freshman (41.2%) and sixth from the stripe (78.4%). Backing up Gordon at the point occasionally, Hansbrough also ranked eighth in the conference in the assist-to-turnover ratio category, with a 1.72:1 mark. If Hansbrough can continue shooting with the same accuracy and learn to drive and dish a little better, he could do big things as a starter for the Bulldogs.

Well, there you have it. Look for Second-Team All-SEC very soon.

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.

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.