Give me your SEC power rankings for 2024-2025 season...

[ABVolsFan92]

I'm trying to give a fair assessment I got

1.Bama
2. Tennessee
3. Auburn but very close to 2
4. Arkansas but could finish higher
5. Texas A&M
6. Florida

the rest I don't care

 

[della]

I'm trying to give a fair assessment I got

1.Bama
2. Tennessee
3. Auburn but very close to 2
4. Arkansas but could finish higher
5. Texas A&M
6. Florida

the rest I don't care

Is Sears returning to bama? If not, I wouldn't put them at #1. I think UT will be a contender, but don't know what everyone else has coming back and can't place any order. Maybe, we need to get Devil to tells us where things are? He seems to know alot about this stuff.

 

[della]

@dukedevilz I realise you are an ACC fan and all, but you seem to know a lot about CBB in general. Would you weigh in on AB's question?

 

[ABVolsFan92]

@dukedevilz I realise you are an ACC fan and all, but you seem to know a lot about CBB in general. Would you weigh in on AB's question?

he is pretty high on UK this year IIRC

 

[lurkeraspect84]

he is pretty high on UK this year IIRC

UK hasn't even finished their roster. I get these threads though, there's nothing else to talk about.

 

[della]

he is pretty high on UK this year IIRC

They probably threatening to beat him up if he isn't.

 

[rdgtr]

SEC-Power Rankings:

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Auburn
4. Tennessee
5. Arkansas
6. Texas AM
7. Kentucky

8. South Carolina
9. Texas
10. Georgia
11. Ole Miss
12. Miss St
13. LSU
14. Oklahoma
15. Vanderbilt
16. Missouri

Men's WTE Top 25: The biggest question for each ranked team

Can Kansas find the right combo? Can Flagg prove he's the best player in the country? Here are key questions for each top-25 team two months before the season.

www.espn.com

I have both Florida (SEC-T RU) and Auburn (SEC Tournament Champs) ranked high because of their 2024 SEC Tournament runs while both Alabama (Final4) & Tennessee (Elite8) had impressive NCAA runs.

In the SEC Tourney, Florida had defeated Texas AM & Alabama only to lose to Auburn in the finals. Both Florida and Auburn return pre-season All-American candidates: PG Walter Clayton (UF) & C John Broome (AU), respectively.

============================================================================
Here are some more transfer portal movements if you want to see more details on some teams:

2024 College Basketball Team Transfer Portal Rankings

The 2024 college basketball transfer portal team rankings.

www.on3.com

2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball Transfers

2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Auburn Tigers Basketball Transfers

2024 Auburn Tigers Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Florida Gators Basketball Transfers

2024 Florida Gators Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Industry Comparison Commits

2024 Tennessee Volunteers Basketball team commit list with the industry comparison.

www.on3.com

https://www.on3.com/college/arkansas-razorbacks/basketball/2024/industry-comparison-commits/

https://www.on3.com/college/kentucky-wildcats/basketball/2024/industry-comparison-commits/

2024 Texas Longhorns Basketball Transfers

2024 Texas Longhorns Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Texas A&M Aggies Basketball Transfers

2024 Texas A&M Aggies Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

==============================================================
Some other SEC teams are ranked very highly in the tranfer portal rankings:
i.e Georgia (#6), LSU (#10), Ole Miss (#13), Alabama (#15),
Missouri (#17), Texas AM(#18), Tennessee (#25), Texas (#26), ...

2024 Georgia Bulldogs Basketball Transfers

2024 Georgia Bulldogs Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 LSU Tigers Basketball Transfers

2024 LSU Tigers Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Ole Miss Rebels Basketball Transfers

2024 Ole Miss Rebels Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Missouri Tigers Basketball Transfers

2024 Missouri Tigers Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 Texas A&M Aggies Basketball Transfers

2024 Texas A&M Aggies Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

2024 South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball Transfers

2024 South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

Wow! Vandy with 10-transfers!

2024 Vanderbilt Commodores Basketball Transfers

2024 Vanderbilt Commodores Basketball team transfers list.

www.on3.com

Some projected Lineups:
===============================================================
#6 Alabama
CG: 6'0 Aden Holloway (7.3 PPG at Auburn)
G: 6'3 Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 PPG)
SF: 6'4 Chris Youngblood (15.3 PPG at South Florida)
F: 6'11 Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG)
C: 6'11 Cliff Omoruyi (10.4 PPG at Rutgers)
-------------------------------------------------
SG: 6'5 Houston Mallette

#12 Auburn
PG: 6'1 JP Pegues (18.4 PPG at Furman)
G: 6'4 Denver Jones (9.1 PPG)
G: 6'7 Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 PPG)
G: 6'7 Chaney Johnson (4.7 PPG)
C: 6'10 Johni Broome (16.5 PPG)
----------------------------------------------
CG: 6'6 Miles Kelley
SF: 6'6 Jakhi Howard
PG: 5'11 T. Pettiford

================================
#15 Florida
PG: 6'2 Walter Clayton Jr. (17.6 PPG)
CG: 6'2 Alijah Martin (13.1 PPG at Florida Atlantic)
SG: 6'4 Will Richard (11.4 PPG)
PF: 6'9 Sam Alexis (10.8 PPG, 9.1 reb/g)
C: 6'11 Alex Condon (7.7 PPG, 6.4 reb/g playing 20 min/g)
--------------------------------------------------
C: 6'11 Reuben Chinyelu (4.7 PPG at Washington State)
PF: 6'9 Thomas Haugh
CG: 6'5 Denzel Aberdeen
SG: 6'4 Isaiah Brown (#104 recruit)
C: 7'6 Olivier Rioux (recruit) - redshirted
C: 7'1 Micah Handlogten (5.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg) - redshirted (?injury)
=================================

#19 Arkansas
PG: 6'3 DJ Wagner (9.9 ppg, 3.3 apg at Kentucky)
SG: 6'4 Johnell Davis (18.2 PPG at Florida Atlantic)
SF: 6'6 Karter Knox (No. 26 in ESPN 100)
SG: 6'8 Adou Thiero (7.2 PPG, 5.0 rpg at Kentucky)
PF: 6'11 Jonas Aidoo (11.4 PPG, 7.3 rpg at Tennessee)
-----------------------------------------------------
PG: 6'2 Boogie Fland (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
SF: 6'6 Billy Richmond
PF: 7'2 Zvonimir Ivisic (5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg at Kentucky, 11 min/g)


#20 Tennessee
PG 5'9 Zakai Zeigler (11.8 PPG)
SG: 6'4 Jahmai Mashack (4.5 PPG)
SF: 6'8 Darlinstone Dubar (17.8 PPG at Hofstra)
PF: 6'10 Igor Milicic Jr. (12.8 PPG at Charlotte)
C: 6'11 Felix Okpara (6.6 PPG at Ohio State)
-----------------------------------------------
PG: 6'4 Bishop Boswell
SG: 6'4 Chaz Lanier
SG: 6'3 Jordan Gainey (6.8 ppg)


Kentucky (8 transfers & two commits)
PG: Lamont Butler (at San Diego St)
SG: 6'4 Otega Oweh (at Oklahoma)
SF: 6'4 Koby Brea (at Dayton)
SF: 6'10 Andrew Carr (13.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg at Wake Forrest)
C: 6'10 Amari Williams (12.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 blks/g at Drexel)
---------------------------------------------------
6th Man, PG: 6'3 Kerr Kriisa (at West Virginia)
PG: 6'2 Travis Perry (#78 recruit)
PF/C: 6'10 Brandon Garrison ( 7.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 blks/g at Oklahoma St)

Bradon Garrison​

PF: 6'7 Ansley Amonor (at Fairley Dickenson)

Kentucky basketball 2024-25 starting lineup prediction after latest additions

Here’s how Kentucky basketball could set the starting lineup based on the current roster.

ukwildcatswire.usatoday.com

#21 Texas
Jordan Pope (17.6 PPG at Oregon State)
Tramon Mark (16.2 PPG at Arkansas)
Tre Johnson (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
Jayson Kent (13.5 PPG at Indiana State)
Kadin Shedrick (7.7 PPG)

Texas AM
Wade Taylor IV (19.1 PPG)
Manny Obaseki (7.0 PPG)
Zhuric Phelps (14.8 PPG at SMU)
Henry Coleman III (8.8 PPG)
Pharrel Payne (10.0 PPG at Minnesota)
===============================================================

 

[ExitFlagger]

If Ivisic and Wagner make the typical sophomore jump and they add one more decent piece. Ark’s loaded.

 

[RR30]

If Ivisic and Wagner make the typical sophomore jump and they add one more decent piece. Ark’s loaded.

Agreed. Still don't trust Cal and the lack of shooting overall, but I think it's a good roster.

 

[dukedevilz]

@dukedevilz I realise you are an ACC fan and all, but you seem to know a lot about CBB in general. Would you weigh in on AB's question?

I've heard Nate Oats say he believes Mark Sears will stay in the draft if gets the promise of a guaranteed promise. He doesn't want a 2-way contract. For that reason, I think Sears will return. He can get 7-figures through NIL and compete for a national championship.

SEC is going to be stacked next year. Bama definitely looks like the favorite. But, there are plenty of teams within striking distance. If I were doing a way-too-early top 50 I'd have 11 SEC teams in the top 50. It'd look something like this:

2. Alabama
10. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
15. Arkansas
17. Auburn
20. Kentucky
23. Florida
28. Ole Miss
31. Texas
35. Mississippi State
46. Georgia

A few teams will severely underperform, but I think it's reasonable for the SEC to get 9-10 teams in the tournament this year.

 

[della]

I've heard Nate Oats say he believes Mark Sears will stay in the draft if gets the promise of a guaranteed promise. He doesn't want a 2-way contract. For that reason, I think Sears will return. He can get 7-figures through NIL and compete for a national championship.

SEC is going to be stacked next year. Bama definitely looks like the favorite. But, there are plenty of teams within striking distance. If I were doing a way-too-early top 50 I'd have 11 SEC teams in the top 50. It'd look something like this:

2. Alabama
10. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
15. Arkansas
17. Auburn
20. Kentucky
23. Florida
28. Ole Miss
31. Texas
35. Mississippi State
46. Georgia

A few teams will severely underperform, but I think it's reasonable for the SEC to get 9-10 teams in the tournament this year.

Thanks, I knew you would have an educated opinion on this.

 

[Crums Bald Spot]

I've heard Nate Oats say he believes Mark Sears will stay in the draft if gets the promise of a guaranteed promise. He doesn't want a 2-way contract. For that reason, I think Sears will return. He can get 7-figures through NIL and compete for a national championship.

SEC is going to be stacked next year. Bama definitely looks like the favorite. But, there are plenty of teams within striking distance. If I were doing a way-too-early top 50 I'd have 11 SEC teams in the top 50. It'd look something like this:

2. Alabama
10. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
15. Arkansas
17. Auburn
20. Kentucky
23. Florida
28. Ole Miss
31. Texas
35. Mississippi State
46. Georgia

A few teams will severely underperform, but I think it's reasonable for the SEC to get 9-10 teams in the tournament this year.

To me, right now it's Bama and then everyone else. UT and ATM should be good. Pearl always has a tough squad, I really like UF's coach and Beard is an excellent coach so I am curious to see Ole Miss in year 2.

Going to be really interesting to see Kentucky and Arkansas with rebuilt rosters and new staffs. I don't think either of them will have a relevant player on the roster who played there the previous year.

Arkansas has some good pieces but this years FR class isn't a great one so I doubt he is going to get his typical FR production. However, Johnelle Davis is a college stud and Aidoo should be solid plus he has 3 good players from last years UK roster who should be improved (Thiero, Big Z, and Wagner). At least one of his FR will step up and he will sign a few more guys but success will depend on defense and toughness as I don't see that being a great offensive roster (and I think you'll see Cal revert back to his grind it out offense now that he doesn't have Reeves, Shep, and Dillingham?).

Kentucky - Pope has his best roster on paper in his short coaching tenure by a mile and BYU was projected top 20 prior to him leaving. So there's potential to be a top 10 team if things click. A ton of great shooters, some bigtime defenders, and physicality and athleticism down low. He needs one more piece, an alpha who can get a big bucket in crunch time, which is probably going to be Jaxon Robinson, Will these pieces mesh and play as well as his BYU team did? Can everyone find their role? He runs an offense that creates great shots(he runs a similar system to Oats) but will he land/does he have that alpha that can get a tough basket one on one?

 

[winin11]

I just hope Bama players have good chemistry to live up to expectations. IN Oats we trust.
SEC will be mighty good next year. I actually think the aubrin tiggers are going to be really good.
Can't wait

 

[lurkeraspect84]

I've heard Nate Oats say he believes Mark Sears will stay in the draft if gets the promise of a guaranteed promise. He doesn't want a 2-way contract. For that reason, I think Sears will return. He can get 7-figures through NIL and compete for a national championship.

SEC is going to be stacked next year. Bama definitely looks like the favorite. But, there are plenty of teams within striking distance. If I were doing a way-too-early top 50 I'd have 11 SEC teams in the top 50. It'd look something like this:

2. Alabama
10. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
15. Arkansas
17. Auburn
20. Kentucky
23. Florida
28. Ole Miss
31. Texas
35. Mississippi State
46. Georgia

A few teams will severely underperform, but I think it's reasonable for the SEC to get 9-10 teams in the tournament this year.

I think this is more than fair for UK. Like I said, we don't even know our final roster yet, but I wouldn't have any problem with UK being out of the top 25.

It's going to be an interesting next few years to see how this shapes up.

 

[dukedevilz]

To me, right now it's Bama and then everyone else.

I don't disagree. Alabama is among the first-tier of legitimate national title contenders. They're right up there with Kansas for being preseason #1. I don't think any other SEC school is among the first-tier of title contenders.

UT and ATM should be good. Pearl always has a tough squad, I really like UF's coach and Beard is an excellent coach so I am curious to see Ole Miss in year 2.

Going to be really interesting to see Kentucky and Arkansas with rebuilt rosters and new staffs. I don't think either of them will have a relevant player on the roster who played there the previous year.

Arkansas has some good pieces but this years FR class isn't a great one so I doubt he is going to get his typical FR production. However, Johnelle Davis is a college stud and Aidoo should be solid plus he has 3 good players from last years UK roster who should be improved (Thiero, Big Z, and Wagner). At least one of his FR will step up and he will sign a few more guys but success will depend on defense and toughness as I don't see that being a great offensive roster (and I think you'll see Cal revert back to his grind it out offense now that he doesn't have Reeves, Shep, and Dillingham?).

Kentucky - Pope has his best roster on paper in his short coaching tenure by a mile and BYU was projected top 20 prior to him leaving. So there's potential to be a top 10 team if things click. A ton of great shooters, some bigtime defenders, and physicality and athleticism down low. He needs one more piece, an alpha who can get a big bucket in crunch time, which is probably going to be Jaxon Robinson, Will these pieces mesh and play as well as his BYU team did? Can everyone find their role? He runs an offense that creates great shots(he runs a similar system to Oats) but will he land/does he have that alpha that can get a tough basket one on one?

Lots of good teams there. All the teams you listed are capable of making the second weekend. Should be a fun season in the SEC. Excited to see which players and which teams break out and exceed expectations.

 

[winin11]

Is Sears returning to bama? If not, I wouldn't put them at #1. I think UT will be a contender, but don't know what everyone else has coming back and can't place any order. Maybe, we need to get Devil to tells us where things are? He seems to know alot about this stuff.

Sears and Jarin Stevenson are both back with Bama. I knew you were worried about it so just wanted to let you know. 13 scholarships and a full roster. I don't particularly care where Bama is rated, just where we end up.

 

[della]

Sears and Jarin Stevenson are both back with Bama. I knew you were worried about it so just wanted to let you know. 13 scholarships and a full roster. I don't particularly care where Bama is rated, just where we end up.

Yeah, it's where you end up that counts. I was concerned that UT would have a big drop off, but we have picked up some nice pieces. I'm looking forward to next year.

 

[Rod Dangerfield]

I hope the COCKS are predicted last.

 

[della]

I hope the COCKS are predicted last.

Nothing like a self fulfilling prophecy is there?

 

[rockycard]

Would Kentucky fans be happy if they go 13-5 in conference, and 23-10 overall?

 

[ABVolsFan92]

Would Kentucky fans be happy if they go 13-5 in conference, and 23-10 overall?

with how tough the conference is next year there is no way they go 13-5 in conference, Bama or UT will probably win it at 14-4 or 13-5

 

[Demarcus Kidd-Miller]

Would Kentucky fans be happy if they go 13-5 in conference, and 23-10 overall?

I wouldn't be happy, as I want to win every game. But, i suppose that wouldn't be a terrible first year for a new head coach and completely new team.

 

[Rod Dangerfield]

Our Cocks will definitely be hard
































































to beat.

 

[della]

Our Cocks will definitely be hard

to beat.

Well, your asses just got sent home by JMU in the baseball regionals.

 

[Rod Dangerfield]

Well, your asses just got sent home by JMU in the baseball regionals.

Means to an end.

 

[della]

Means to an end.

Yeah, a dead end.

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Lots of good teams there. All the teams you listed are capable of making the second weekend. Should be a fun season in the SEC. Excited to see which players and which teams break out and exceed expectations.

If Cal is the coach they are not capable of making the second weekend. Sorry. Add 5 more lottery picks and they may make the second weekend.

Second verse same as the first!

 

[Hogs1988]

If it was me...

1. Alabama (easy #1)
2. Arkansas (I know, I'm a homer, but returning AA CG, 1st-Team All-SEC C, freak PF, and a few McDAA feels like a pretty good roster)
3. Tennessee (Ziegler & Lanier will be good, but you have to wonder what losing 3 All-SEC performers will do to the roster...still good, though)
4. Auburn (Broome probably wins SEC POTY as he'll be the focal point, but feels like a bunch of role players around him...still good)
5. Florida (Arguably the best backcourt in the SEC, but the post feels like a question mark. Also a big Golden fan)
6. TAMU (Taylor is Taylor and Buzz always finds ways to win)
7. Texas (I'm buying low on this group; If Mark actually tries, they could have a really well-balanced starting 5 with a lot of talent)
8. Ole Miss (Feels a lot like his '21 Tech team, pretty small, rugged, but no real star)
9. Kentucky (Don't really have a ball handler, Jaxson & Butler are for sure off-ball and Krisa is a walking turnover. Post players feel a bit of an odd marriage as well. Do they have a guy on the team who can get his own shot? Feels like a lot of off-ball players and no on-ball handler)
10. Miss St. (Jans owed Tolu a lot of money for manufacturing that massive extension. Hubbard is really good, not too sure on everyone else)
11. Oklahoma (Really surprised Moser stayed. Played the 320 ranked non-con then went sub-500 in conference play only to see their two highest usage players leave with eligibility remaining)
12. Georgia (Will come slamming back down to earth)
13. LSU (Some decent pieces, but McMahon is fired after this year)
14. South Carolina (See Georgia, but far worse)
15. Vanderbilt (No idea, but it's Vanderbilt)
16. Missouri (Had to be last after going 0-19 vs SEC opponents in '23-'24)

 

[della]

If it was me...

1. Alabama (easy #1)
2. Arkansas (I know, I'm a homer, but returning AA CG, 1st-Team All-SEC C, freak PF, and a few McDAA feels like a pretty good roster)
3. Tennessee (Ziegler & Lanier will be good, but you have to wonder what losing 3 All-SEC performers will do to the roster...still good, though)
4. Auburn (Broome probably wins SEC POTY as he'll be the focal point, but feels like a bunch of role players around him...still good)
5. Florida (Arguably the best backcourt in the SEC, but the post feels like a question mark. Also a big Golden fan)
6. TAMU (Taylor is Taylor and Buzz always finds ways to win)
7. Texas (I'm buying low on this group; If Mark actually tries, they could have a really well-balanced starting 5 with a lot of talent)
8. Ole Miss (Feels a lot like his '21 Tech team, pretty small, rugged, but no real star)
9. Kentucky (Don't really have a ball handler, Jaxson & Butler are for sure off-ball and Krisa is a walking turnover. Post players feel a bit of an odd marriage as well. Do they have a guy on the team who can get his own shot? Feels like a lot of off-ball players and no on-ball handler)
10. Miss St. (Jans owed Tolu a lot of money for manufacturing that massive extension. Hubbard is really good, not too sure on everyone else)
11. Oklahoma (Really surprised Moser stayed. Played the 320 ranked non-con then went sub-500 in conference play only to see their two highest usage players leave with eligibility remaining)
12. Georgia (Will come slamming back down to earth)
13. LSU (Some decent pieces, but McMahon is fired after this year)
14. South Carolina (See Georgia, but far worse)
15. Vanderbilt (No idea, but it's Vanderbilt)
16. Missouri (Had to be last after going 0-19 vs SEC opponents in '23-'24)

Good list, post more often.

 

[boilerzz]

2. Arkansas (I know, I'm a homer, but returning AA CG, 1st-Team All-SEC C, freak PF, and a few McDAA feels like a pretty good roster)

I'm pretty sure UK fans call this the Calipari honeymoon phase.

 

[Hogs1988]

I'm pretty sure UK fans call this the Calipari honeymoon phase.

I'll take 35-3 for Cal's first year like he had at Kentucky.

If I were to guess, I'd go 12-1 in non-con and 12-6 in the conference for 24-7 and a 4 seed. With the talent at the top of the SEC this year, you see a lot of 12-6 and 11-7 type records and then a bunch of 5-13 at the bottom. In my opinion, there is a substantial chasm after Kentucky in terms of overall talent.

 

[boilerzz]

I'll take 35-3 for Cal's first year like he had at Kentucky.

If I were to guess, I'd go 12-1 in non-con and 12-6 in the conference for 24-7 and a 4 seed. With the talent at the top of the SEC this year, you see a lot of 12-6 and 11-7 type records and then a bunch of 5-13 at the bottom. In my opinion, there is a substantial chasm after Kentucky in terms of overall talent.

The biggest difference IMO between those early Cal UK teams and the last several years is opposing teams weren't nearly as reliant on the 3P line 10-15 years ago. The game shifted and Cal didn't. He showed a shift last year but was that a change that will stick or a one off? TBD

Ironically, Muss wasn't very good at leveraging the 3P line either.

 

[Hogs1988]

The biggest difference IMO between those early Cal UK teams and the last several years is opposing teams weren't nearly as reliant on the 3P line 10-15 years ago. The game shifted and Cal didn't. He showed a shift last year but was that a change that will stick or a one off? TBD

Ironically, Muss wasn't very good at leveraging the 3P line either.

That's not a bad thought. IMO, he's struggled for two reasons: he missed out on some high school guys and Oscar.

He's had a bunch of 'can't miss' HS guys that he's tried to force - Edwards, Livingston, Hopkins, Collins, Clarke, Askew, et cetera. For a guy who pushed one and done - hard - it hurt when the guys he had to lean on to be his best players weren't that good.

Secondarily, he had a black hole of a focal point in Oscar. The dude would put up video game numbers, but more out of the quantity of attempts and less out of the quality of shot/possession. When you throw it into the post, every possession, for a guy whose best offensive move is a put-back, it's not going to lead to a lot of 3PT shots. Kentucky was 351st and 330th for 3PA/FGA in the two years with Oscar.

All that said, Kentucky was the #1 3PT shooting team in the country last year...the first year without Oscar.

Lastly, he's still had three years in a row with top-20 offensive efficiency metrics. So, I'm a bit confused about how you are pointing to his offense, which is one of nine teams to be top-20 offensively the last three years. Of those nine, just five have been top-10 two or more times: Arizona, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Purdue, and Baylor. That feels like pretty good offensive company to be in.

 

[boilerzz]

That's not a bad thought. IMO, he's struggled for two reasons: he missed out on some high school guys and Oscar.

He's had a bunch of 'can't miss' HS guys that he's tried to force - Edwards, Livingston, Hopkins, Collins, Clarke, Askew, et cetera. For a guy who pushed one and done - hard - it hurt when the guys he had to lean on to be his best players weren't that good.

Secondarily, he had a black hole of a focal point in Oscar. The dude would put up video game numbers, but more out of the quantity of attempts and less out of the quality of shot/possession. When you throw it into the post, every possession, for a guy whose best offensive move is a put-back, it's not going to lead to a lot of 3PT shots. Kentucky was 351st and 330th for 3PA/FGA in the two years with Oscar.

All that said, Kentucky was the #1 3PT shooting team in the country last year...the first year without Oscar.

Lastly, he's still had three years in a row with top-20 offensive efficiency metrics. So, I'm a bit confused about how you are pointing to his offense, which is one of nine teams to be top-20 offensively the last three years. Of those nine, just five have been top-10 two or more times: Arizona, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Purdue, and Baylor. That feels like pretty good offensive company to be in.

But it's not just with Oscar;

3PA % - rank

2010 31.3 - 198th
2011 32.4 - 180th
2012 26.5 - 313rd
2013 29.3 - 273rd
2014 27.6 - 299th
2015 37.1 - 325th
2016 31.0 - 273rd
2017 31.6 - 288th
2018 25.8 - 344th
2019 29.6 - 343rd
2020 26.6 - 350th
2021 32.2 - 292nd
2022 27.9 - 351st
2023 30.0 - 330rd
2024 37.5 - 179th

As far as the comment about focusing on UK's offense, it's not UK's offense exclusively I mention. It's UK's offense vis a vis the opposition. Having a limited reliance on 3PA when your opponents rely heavily on 3PA brings in more variability in outcomes. UK consistently had top 5 talent under Cal and only a few times had top 5 results. Hence UK fans' frustrations with his tenure.

 

[mcnicKY91]

I'll take 35-3 for Cal's first year like he had at Kentucky.

If I were to guess, I'd go 12-1 in non-con and 12-6 in the conference for 24-7 and a 4 seed. With the talent at the top of the SEC this year, you see a lot of 12-6 and 11-7 type records and then a bunch of 5-13 at the bottom. In my opinion, there is a substantial chasm after Kentucky in terms of overall talent.

To be honest, Cal's best days as a college coach are over. The last four years have a been a joke, especially for UK standards.

Will a change of scenery help become a better in game coach, help him diagram out of bounds plays, help him draw up end of half/end of game lays, prevent him from playing his favorites over other guys who should be playing? I doubt it, honestly. The guy is almost 70, he is what he is, and he ain't changing.

And I know you aren't predicting a 35-3 opening campaign for Cal, but his first yr at UK he had John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and Patrick Patterson. Don't see anyone on Arky's roster that is close to those four. And yet Cal still managed to lose in the Elite 8 because he had no idea how to attack WVAs zone, so he let his guys shoot 4-32 from deep without coming up with any sort of adjustment to attack the zone.

 

[della]

That's not a bad thought. IMO, he's struggled for two reasons: he missed out on some high school guys and Oscar.

He's had a bunch of 'can't miss' HS guys that he's tried to force - Edwards, Livingston, Hopkins, Collins, Clarke, Askew, et cetera. For a guy who pushed one and done - hard - it hurt when the guys he had to lean on to be his best players weren't that good.

Secondarily, he had a black hole of a focal point in Oscar. The dude would put up video game numbers, but more out of the quantity of attempts and less out of the quality of shot/possession. When you throw it into the post, every possession, for a guy whose best offensive move is a put-back, it's not going to lead to a lot of 3PT shots. Kentucky was 351st and 330th for 3PA/FGA in the two years with Oscar.

All that said, Kentucky was the #1 3PT shooting team in the country last year...the first year without Oscar.

Lastly, he's still had three years in a row with top-20 offensive efficiency metrics. So, I'm a bit confused about how you are pointing to his offense, which is one of nine teams to be top-20 offensively the last three years. Of those nine, just five have been top-10 two or more times: Arizona, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Purdue, and Baylor. That feels like pretty good offensive company to be in.

Don't listen to those knuckleheads. Cal did great at Memphis and Arky is just right down the road. He will be an ass kicker!

 

[Hogs1988]

But it's not just with Oscar;

3PA % - rank

2010 31.3 - 198th
2011 32.4 - 180th
2012 26.5 - 313rd
2013 29.3 - 273rd
2014 27.6 - 299th
2015 37.1 - 325th
2016 31.0 - 273rd
2017 31.6 - 288th
2018 25.8 - 344th
2019 29.6 - 343rd
2020 26.6 - 350th
2021 32.2 - 292nd
2022 27.9 - 351st
2023 30.0 - 330rd
2024 37.5 - 179th

As far as the comment about focusing on UK's offense, it's not UK's offense exclusively I mention. It's UK's offense vis a vis the opposition. Having a limited reliance on 3PA when your opponents rely heavily on 3PA brings in more variability in outcomes. UK consistently had top 5 talent under Cal and only a few times had top 5 results. Hence UK fans' frustrations with his tenure.

What's the goal of an offense? To score baskets efficiently, correct?

OEf

2010: 22
2011: 8
2012: 2
2013: 38
2014: 14
2015: 6
2016: 5
2017: 12
2018: 24
2019: 14
2020: 24
2021: 84
2022: 5
2023: 17
2024: 7

So, in your opinion, having a top-25 offense in terms of efficiency in 13/15 seasons - with 6 being top 10 - is bad and an indication that the game has passed him by offensively?

 

[winin11]

I'm trying to give a fair assessment I got

1.Bama
2. Tennessee
3. Auburn but very close to 2
4. Arkansas but could finish higher
5. Texas A&M
6. Florida

the rest I don't care

Bama
Aubrin
Tennessee
Florida
Arkansas
Kentucky
Texas
Texas A&M

 

[winin11]

I'll take 35-3 for Cal's first year like he had at Kentucky.

If I were to guess, I'd go 12-1 in non-con and 12-6 in the conference for 24-7 and a 4 seed. With the talent at the top of the SEC this year, you see a lot of 12-6 and 11-7 type records and then a bunch of 5-13 at the bottom. In my opinion, there is a substantial chasm after Kentucky in terms of overall talent.

Do you have Arkies OOC schedule?

 

[Hogs1988]

If you said defensively, I'd agree with you...

DEf

2010: 6th
2011: 16th
2012: 7th
2013: 88th
2014: 32nd
2015: 1st
2016: 39th
2017: 7th
2018: 22nd
2019: 8th
2020: 52nd
2021: 35th
2022: 36th
2023: 68th
2024: 109th

3 year running average:

2012: 9.7
2013: 37.0
2014: 42.3
2015: 40.3
2016: 24.0
2017: 15.7
2018: 22.7
2019: 12.3
2020: 27.3
2021: 31.7
2022: 41.0
2023: 46.3
2024: 71