It’s only one day until the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers hit the hardwood when they open the non-conference schedule against Chattanooga.
But the Southeastern Conference will be the true test for the Vols this year.
After winning the East Division in 1999 and the SEC regular season title last year, the Vols are picked to win the conference this season. However, head coach Jerry Green and company don’t expect an easy ride.
The conference may be the best that I’ve seen it in quite a while, Green said. I think this Southeastern Conference can stand up and maybe, in my opinion, be the best conference in the United States.
Although there are a handful of elite programs in the SEC, it could be the sleepers that will be looking to knock off the Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida giants of the East.
One of the ways I judge how good this conference really is, is if you take a couple of teams away from it and then say How good is the rest of it?’ Green said. I’m not going to say where I think we fit into the SEC.
Florida and Kentucky will once again be in the mix for the East title.
The No. 11 Gators lost the bulk of their frontcourt in Mike Miller and Donnell Harvey to the NBA Draft but don’t expect them to miss a beat from last year’s Final Four team.
In the East, you’ve got a great team coming back in Florida, Green said. I don’t care what they say, they have really reloaded down there and have great depth.
No. 20 Kentucky is still trying to get used to the fact that there are other teams in the SEC.
The Cats will be in uncharted waters this year with five freshmen on the bench, something that could harm their depth. However, the new faces combined with the leadership of Tayshaun Prince and Keith Bogans, UK will still be in the hunt.
I think Kentucky has certainly helped their cause, Green said. They’re always going to be the team that a lot of people are going to be shooting at.
The rest of the East may be a little fuzzy. Georgia has a strong and experienced team with D.A. Layne. Anthony Evans and Shon Coleman providing most of the offense. But they have also added six new faces to aid the Dawgs’ depth.
After taking their first step last year, the young Razorbacks will soon be ready to run through the SEC. No. 15 Arkansas looks to be the top Hog in the West with seven sophomores leading the squad.
Swingman Joe Johnson has the potential to lead this team to glory. The SEC Player of the Year candidate averaged 16 points and 5.7 boards last season. Look for him to blow up in the scoring column.
Arkansas is as good of a team we have in the entire league, Green said. Winning the tournament and putting all those games together at the end of last year certainly shows how good they can be.
Believe it or not, the rest of the West could be up in the air. Mississippi State appears to have the bulk in the paint with the return of 6-foot-8 Robert Jackson, 6-foot-9 Lincoln Smith and 6-foot-9 Quentin Smith all returning on the front line. With all that beef, opponents can’t forget about forward Tang Hamilton.
Alabama m be a surprise in the SEC this year. Center Jeremy Hays is back after last season’s injury and should give the Tide the leadership they need. Swingman Rod Grizzard and guard Terrance Meade will also put Bama on the SEC map again.
As to whether the SEC is the best conference in the nation is yet to be seen. But with talent up and down the board, it is sure to be one of the most interesting.
