Scoreboard - latest on SEC & other games incl. scores

Interesting that Bama and Ole Miss lost in the same way. Both nearly came back to avoid upsets, but fell short. I don't think the SEC is particularly strong this year. UK might end up being very good. Bama is showing flaws. SEC is current #4 conference rpi.

 

Bama is not quite as awesome as Oats fans would have us believe.

 

I think it's still up in the air how good Bama is. They have two good wins, win in Seattle against Gonzaga (sort of a home game for the Bulldogs even if not in Spokane) and a win against Houston. Then Bama has struggled a bit more lately with loses on the road to Memphis (who has been under performing up until their win against Bama) and now at home against Davidson. Bama plays at home against Tennessee next (big matchup) and then on the road against the Gators. The Bama team I watched dismantle the Zags in the 1st half would have their way with the Gators so we'll see which team shows up. Also LSU is still undefeated and looked physical in their game against GTech and Auburn just continues to win going 10-1 on the season so far. Admittedly both of these teams might be a bit too highly ranked based on who they've played so far. Tennessee has played a good schedule so far and only has loses to Texas Tech (an OT loss against a good team) and Villanova on a neutral court (Nova was higher ranked when they played but is still a good opponent with a recent win over a ranked Xavier team). Will have a better feel for UTenn when they play Arizona tonight. I think the SEC has a good group of teams (UK, Bama, UTenn, LSU, and Auburn) that have won against some good competition so far. Will see how they fair once they all start playing each other in the SEC portion of the schedule.

 

There's not a SEC team in Texas or Alabama that can lose enough for me. You may a well throw Georgia in there too. Snd my wife really doesn't like Kentucky, which is odd because her Dad and Cliff Hagen were camping and fishin' buddies. She would go on some of the trips and thought Cliff was a good guy. I think a former wotk associate and boss was the root of her dislike.

 

SEC is #3 on KenPom.

 

Vandy tips at midnight in Honolulu.

 

Alabama does not have much size inside. That looks like their weakness. They have great guards. Auburn is monstrous inside, and the big center is getting better every game. Amazing what happens when you get playing time. Kentucky is about as talented as they have been in the Calipari era. If they completely gel, look out. LSU is unbeaten but has had to eke out some wins. Arkansas doesn’t look as good as their projections. Tennessee is really talented. I would put the 5 above(without Arkansas) in the first tier right now with Arkansas, Florida and Mississippi State following. Florida is going to have to get better as the season goes on. USF would be the worst team in the SEC. We need to blow out those types of teams. If White keeps JJ, Reeves and Kennedy in the rotation, the team should improve as they develop. However, I have my doubts as to whether they become part of the rotation.

 

If they practice well will stay in rotation. We can have a good bench

 

You have been saying the same thing for the last 85 years. Trust me that you can practice well and not get into the rotation. Glover practiced well. White said publicly that on any given day either Glover, Appleby or Mann was the best point guard on the floor. It takes cojones for a coach to play young players through their mistakes until they become solid players. Some coaches do it. Some coaches don’t. Glover didn’t become an outstanding player overnight. He just needed to be given a chance as did Ruzhnetsev and other former Gators. It’s a mistake to try to rely on transfers on a long-term basis. Hopefully, White’s philosophy will change, but I am not holding my breath.

 

Do you think White deserves a little credit for getting Jitoboh and Reeves involved in recent games? Reeves didn't get in vs. Maryland, but we did go nine deep there.

 

Some cojones, some intelligence. For some fans the guy benched is the best player, until he gets on the court and shows he's not. Very little that Glover ever did on the court showed he should have been given more minutes. Unless you were watching a different Glover at that time than everyone else. He needed more time to develop - he wasn't ready, so White gave him limited playing time. Smart coaching.

 

Glover did not have an overnight epiphany and turn into an excellent player during the off-season. He is a lightning-quick, athletic player with an excellent skill set and a good understanding of the game. I have been telling all of you about this for the last 2 and 1/2 years. The fact that White didn’t know how to use Glover is on him, not on Glover. It’s also why White’s success at UF has been limited at best.

 

After watching the Gators for 6 and 1/2 years under White, I am not going to give him credit for getting guys into the game. I want to see him develop players, which, in addition to what goes on at practice, includes getting them into the rotation, if possible, putting them in the right situations on the floor to succeed, and making them feel that they are as important a part of the team as the starters. These last few years, I have not seen that with Glover, Ruzhnetsev, Lewis and others. If I see a change in White, I will certainly post about it.

 

Fair pts, but some players (Chiozza, Mann, Castleton) have developed under White. Jitoboh has made quite a leap so far this year. Let's see what happens in conference. I hope JJ, Reeves, etc. get meaningful minutes and improve their game.

 

Sure you will.

 

Good quality post. Keep them coming.