The Southeastern Conference may be in for a revival as the conference consolidates into a division-less format for the first time since 1992 and experienced talent steps to the forefront.
This was the common sentiment among SEC head coaches at the annual SEC Media Day on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., as the beginning of the season rapidly approaches.
The SEC has three teams — No. 2 Kentucky, No. 7 Vanderbilt and No. 10 Florida — in the top 10 of the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, and players and coaches alike touted the league’s depth.
“The top of the league may have never been stronger,” said Kentucky coach John Calipari. “But the difference is that bottom half has stepped up. There’s better personnel across the board.”
CALIPARI: JONES IS BEST PLAYER IN NATION
Following a Final Four berth last season, the perennially powerful Wildcats are again expected to be the class of the SEC come March.
Kentucky returns three of its four leading scorers from 2010-11, including preseason SEC Player of the Year and All-American sophomore forward Terrence Jones.
The 6-foot-9-inch, 250-pound Jones averaged 15.7 points per game in his freshman campaign and scored 52 points in a scrimmage Wednesday at Rupp Arena.
“If there’s a better player in the country, I gotta see it,” said Calipari, who is in his third season at Kentucky. “He’s not settling for anything this year. He’s practicing harder, committing to defense and rebounding well.”
The Wildcats also used another huge recruiting haul this offseason to alleviate the loss of leading scorer Brandon Knight and scrappy inside presence Josh Harrellson from the Final Four squad. Kentucky brought in four five-star recruits in the 2011 class, including stud point guard Marquis Teague and 6-foot-10-inch power forward Anthony Davis.
“The veterans are going to have to bring along the freshmen real quick,” Calipari said. “There’s constant expectations to win every game and win them by 25 here at Kentucky.”
COMMODORES ENTER SEASON IN TOP 10
For the first time in Commodore coach Kevin Stallings’ 13 seasons at Vanderbilt, No. 7 Vanderbilt opens the season ranked. The top 10 inclusion is the highest preseason ranking for the Commodores since 1965.
Three Vanderbilt standouts — junior John Jenkins and seniors Jeffrey Taylor and Festus Ezeli — all passed on the NBA draft, leaving the roster almost completely intact from Vandy’s second-round NCAA Tournament squad.
However, the 6-foot-11-inch Ezeli will miss the first six games of the season to NCAA suspension after accepting improper benefits from a Vanderbilt alumnus during the summer.
Despite the offseason highs and lows, Stallings said his experienced team has remained steady.
“The guys — the older ones — they understand and get the importance of consistency in practice,” he said. “It’s kept this team very diligent in their effort on a daily basis.”
BULLDOGS TRY TO MOVE PAST 2010
The Bulldogs might be the biggest beneficiaries from the consolidated conference setup this season.
A talented, erratic State squad missed the NCAA Tournament last year, suffering from junior forward Renardo Sidney’s behavioral issues and a perceived weak SEC West schedule all the way to a National Invitational Tournament berth.
The 6-foot-10-inch Sidney averaged 15 points and seven rebounds last season but was involved in an altercation last December that threw the program into disarray just a week after completing a 14-month suspension for violating NCAA rules.
“He’s gotten better,” said Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury. “Is he where I want him to be? No. But as long as he keeps working, bringing a good attitude to our team and improving his game, I’ll continue to be pleased with his progress.”
Mississippi State — picked to finish fifth in the SEC — also boasts dynamic returning starting point guard Dee Bost and hyped UTEP forward transfer Arnett Moultrie.
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]