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SEC Basketball: The Catchup Part 2 (Season Kickoff)

By Ben Richardson

Jan 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Danuel House (23) dunks the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Texas won 92 to 88. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies guard Danuel House (23) dunks the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Texas won 92 to 88. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Andy Kennedy addresses the crowd thanking them for their attendance after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 74-66. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Andy Kennedy addresses the crowd thanking them for their attendance after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 74-66. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

6.  Ole Miss 12-3 (2-1)

Ole Miss fans aren’t the only ones excited about opening up the Pavilion at Ole Miss this year.  That’s right — since you’ve last paid attention to college basketball, Ole Miss opened up their new basketball stadium just this past weekend.  No one is more excited than Stefan Moody who is surprisingly

Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; FLSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) defends Florida Gators guard KeVaughn Allen (4) during the first half at Stephen C. O
Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; FLSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) defends Florida Gators guard KeVaughn Allen (4) during the first half at Stephen C. O /

leading the conference in scoring at 23.9 ppg.  Coach Andy Kennedy has this team going for a run at the tournament this year, and not many people were expecting that coming into this year.  I guess we should stop being surprised, though.  Ole Miss had become a player in SEC basketball — making the tournament in 2 out of the last 3 seasons.

5.  LSU  9-6 (2-1)

We know that Ben Simmons is the consensus number 1 pick in next year’s NBA lottery.  That’s the thing, though.  That is all we know about LSU.  It’d be a shame for Coach Johnny Jones and LSU to have such a rare talent and not capitalize on it.  Back to back wins over Kentucky and Vanderbilt show that the LSU basketball team is starting to figure things out, but following those wins with a loss to Florida shows they are still a work in progress.  If they can figure out a way to play consistent basketball this season, there is no reason that the Tigers should be sitting in Baton Rouge come march.  Ben Simmons may not be playing with much, but he is that good.

4.  Arkansas 9-7 (3-1)

Is Arkansas for real?  I think they are — but then again– I’m not convinced.  Coach Mike Anderson led this team to 27 wins and the 3rd round of the NCAA tournament last year.  This season his team currently ranks 21st in the country in scoring and 13th in the country in assists per game.  He led his team to a disappointing 6-6 start before getting blown out in their SEC opener 92-69 by Texas A&M.  At 6-7 they then went on to get a quality win against Vandy.  Arkansas then legitimized the win when they beat Mississippi State handily and crushed Missouri 94-61.  The scoring will be there, but Arkansas will have to find some way to defend other teams that are proficient on the offensive end of the floor if they are to make a serious push in postseason play.

Next: The Top Dogs

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