Spring Break
Men's basketball has steep climb in tough SEC
NICK PARKER
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Sports
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And it could have been worse if LSU or Tennessee were to have won the conference tournament and earned the automatic bid into the Big Dance instead of Mississippi State.
The crux of the SEC's problems last season was inexperience, with eight of the SEC's 12 teams ranking among the 90 youngest teams of the 344 in Division 1 basketball, according to KenPom.com.
But those players have now been battle tested after undergoing the rigors of the conference, and eight teams returning four or more starters this season, including five teams that return every starter, SEC basketball's return to national prominence is coming sooner than later.
"Obviously, the league was very young last year and many coaches, including myself, made that comment last year, but it is still very young," LSU coach Trent Johnson said at SEC Basketball Media Day. "But, it is going to be a very tough conference this year."
Throw in the fact that one of the game's best coaches - John Calipari - now has the reins to one of the country's most storied programs in Kentucky, bringing the nation's top-ranked recruiting class with him, there is definitely reason for great optimism surrounding the conference. In fact, Calipari says he envisions seven or eight teams could make the NCAA tournament.
"Kentucky is the most historic program in college basketball and Calipari brings instant credibility for what he has done," Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. "I think there is a buzz in the league and rightfully so."
