The SEC microsite spent the summer months rolling out summer reset posts on each of the 14 teams in the conference. And with the start of the regular season just days away, now seems as good of a time as any to review where each team stands. Check out all the preseason content from your SEC microsite in the second part of our Southeastern Conference primer:
Alabama
- 2011-12 record: 21-12 (9-7)
- Key returnees: Trevor Releford (12.0 PPG); Trevor Lacey (7.3 PPG)
- Fresh face set to have the biggest impact: Devonta Pollard – Duh. No seriously, he will be counted upon to contribute a lot.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post; Devonta Pollard preview
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: Alabama has to develop consistent outside shooting from either Trevor Releford or Trevor Lacey and a solid year from freshman Devonta Pollard to return to the NCAA Tournament again this season.
- Quotable quote from Bama Hammer’s Nick Jones: “Don’t be surprised if Anthony Grant’s defense is at the top of the conference once again.”
LSU
- 2011-12 record: 18-15 (7-9)
- Key returnees: Johnny O’Bryant (6.7 RPG); Anthony Hickey (3.8 APG)
- Fresh face set to have the biggest impact: Shavon Coleman – An undersized JuCo transfer who will play big minutes in the post.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post; LSU’s tuba playing basketball player
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: New head man Johnny Jones will likely make improvements in Baton Rouge. Just don’t expect too many this season.
- Quotable quote: He (Johnny O’Bryant) turned in an impressive offensive rebounding percentage of 15.3% overall and 19.8% on the defensive end. That means if this power forward is on the court, it will be tough to snag a missed shot out of his hands.
Georgia
- 2011-12 record: 15-17 (5-11)
- Key returnees: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13.2 PPG); Nemanja Djurisic (7.0 PPG)
- Fresh face set to have the biggest impact: Kenny Gaines – has good size (6’4″) for a point, and Bulldogs need help in the backcourt.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: It’s Caldwell-Pope’s time to shine in Athens, but with a lone bright spot, Georgia’s outlook looks dim.
- Quotable quote from Dawg Sports’ ChuckDawg: “KCP is our go to point maker, but he needs someone to help him as another possible threat and a little help in offensive rebounding (a hugely bad area) to free him up for more shot making, lane-driving and decision-making.”
Ole Miss
- 2011-12 record: 20-14 (8-8)
- Key returnees: Jarvis Summers (10.4 PPG); Reginald Buckner (8.4 RPG)
- Fresh face set to make an impact: Marshall Henderson – JuCo transfer with an ability to score and D-I experience.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: Andy Kennedy has everything he needs to put Ole Miss near the top of the standings in the SEC. Expect consistently solid basketball.
- Quotable quote from Red Cup Rebellion: “Ole Miss has a legitimate shot at being in the top five in the conference.”
Mississippi State
- 2011-12 record: 21-12 (8-8)
- Key returnees: Wendell Lewis (4.0 RPG); Jalen Steele (8.7 PPG)
- Fresh face set to make an impact: Colin Borchert – a big man who can step in right away for a team in need of frontcourt depth.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: Jalen Steele can shoot the lights out, but not sure he can shoot his way out of this one. MSU lost too much to be a threat in the SEC race.
- Quotable quote with For Whom the Cowbell Tolls’ winstoncountysfinest: “Wendell (Lewis) simply can’t be what he’s expected to be in this new regime. He’s just not a low post scorer or a scorer period. I think that he adds a little extra defensively and being active on the boards but averaging double digits scoring just won’t and can’t happen.
Florida
- 2011-12 record: 26-11 (10-6)
- Key returnees: Kenny Boynton (15.9 PPG); Patric Young (6.4 RPG)
- Fresh face set to make an impact: Michael Frazier – the 6’5″ shooting guard has been shooting lights out in the Gators’ exhibition wins. Should mean an opportunity for playing time (and additional shots) in the early part of the season.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post; low graduation rate; analyzing UF’s non-conference schedule; rebounding woes
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: Despite the loss of two talented guards, UF will be back on top. Look for the Gators to fight it out with Mizzou and UK for SEC supremacy.
- Quotable quote from The Bull Gator: “I just wonder what a pure creator would do with the offense. The players that would benefit the most would be Kenny Boynton and Patric Young. If they’re the scorers and someone’s number one goal is to get them the ball, their averages could definitely rise.”
Auburn
- 2011-12 record: 15-16 (5-11)
- Key returnees: Frankie Sullivan (12.6 PPG); Rob Chubb (5.1 RPG)
- Fresh face set to make an impact: Shaquille Johnson – top 100 talent doesn’t come to Auburn to play basketball everyday. Johnson will get the ball.
- Preseason RTC content: summer update post
- 2012-13 Twitter style outlook: Embattled with change, it is hard to imagine Tigers making much of a push. Finishing near bottom half of the league seems appropriate.
- Quotable quote from Track ‘Em Tigers’ PW Elder: “Before he’s through Tony Barbee will have Auburn in the postseason and will win the SEC. The championship won’t happen in 2013 but I believe the Tigers should be making their first postseason appearance since the 2003 NCAA and the 2009 NIT.”
Brian Joyce is a writer for the SEC microsite and regular contributor for Rush The Court. Follow him on Twitter for more about SEC basketball at bjoyce_hoops.