SEC Basketball Media Days: Day 2

SEC Media Days kept going strong into its second day on October 17th when Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Tennessee came to Birmingham. There was a lot of excitement in the Westin ballroom as journalists from all over the south interviewed various coaches and players. Let’s take a look at the teams that were in attendance at media days today.

The Florida Gators had arguably the most successful season out of any SEC team last year with winning the regular season title and making a run in the NCAA tournament to the Elite Eight. Billy Donovan’s crew will have to face adversity this year though, as they had their three leading scorers, Mike Rosario, Erik Murphy, and Kenny Boynton, graduate last year and currently have four players injured. Donovan emphasized on the number one priority they have to take care of right now which is getting guys healthy. They are the preseason pick to finish 2nd in the SEC. Donovan is accompanied by preseason Second Team All-SEC selection forward/center Patric Young who averaged 10.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg last year, as he returns for his senior season.

The Alabama Crimson Tide had a very up and down season last year, spending the majority of their season on the NCAA tournament bubble, eventually missing a bid and going to the NIT after finishing 12-6 in the SEC. However, Alabama has 5 of their 7 leading scorers returning as well as adding two ESPN 100 recruits in center Jimmy Taylor and forward Shannon Hale. Head coach Anthony Grant seemed very optimistic with his crew for this season and is looking forward to the year. Alongside Grant at media days was Trevor Releford, a preseason First Team All-SEC selection who led the team in ppg last season with 14.9 and averaged 2.06 steals a game, second in the SEC.

Arkansas was another team that had an up and down year in the 2012-2013 season, going 19-13 and 10-8 in the SEC. Head coach Mike Anderson enters just his third year leading the Razorbacks, after being an assistant there for 17 years (1985-2002). He lost his two leading scorers in point guard BJ Young and forward Marshawn Powell both leaving to pursue their professional careers. But, he does have two huge freshman talent coming into Fayetteville, Moses Kingsley and Bobby Portis, both ranked as top 50 players coming out of high school by ESPN. Mike Anderson came to media days with senior forward Coty Clarke who led the team last year in field goal percentage as well as offensive rebounds.

The Gamecocks of South Carolina finished 12th in the SEC last year and are projected to finish the same this year. Standout head coach Frank Martin is in his second year in Columbia after 5 years at Kansas State, taking them to the NCAA tournament four times. Martin is ready to start fresh by bringing in eight newcomers to his roster, 7 freshmen and one junior transfer. Along with Martin, came senior guard Brenton Williams who was second on the team in scoring last year averaging 11.0 ppg.
Mississippi State is in the same boat as South Carolina by finishing 13th in the SEC last year after compiling a 10-22 record and is also predicted to finish the same. Rick Ray returns for his third year as head coach with all five of his starters returning as well. Freshmen led their team in scoring and rebounding, Craig Sword put up 10.5 ppg and Gavin Ware averaged a solid 6.3 rebounds. Gavin was in attendance with Coach Ray at the Westin.

Tennessee comes to media days with one of the more interesting stories in the SEC. After a mediocre year in 2012-2013, they come in as the preseason pick to finish third along with 2 players picked as Second Team All-SEC, Jarnell Stokes (averaged 12.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg) and Jerrone Maymon (out last year due to injury). Leading scorer Jordan McRae (15.7 ppg) was selected for First Team All-SEC. The 6’6 shooting guard came to media days with Cuonzo Martin, in his third year as head coach of the Vols.

That’s a wrap with our quick look preview for SEC hoops as media days have concluded. Look out for my article on the preview for this season according to Bama head coach Anthony Grant and senior point guard Trevor Releford.