2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: SEC

It's safe to say that the SEC can be had by anyone. Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, LSU, and Alabama could all possibly win the conference. LSU might falter because of a new coach in Trent Johnson and the loss of key player Anthony Randolph to the NBA. But what you can like is the return from injury of Tasmin Mitchell, the defensive toughness of Garrett a Temple, and the scoring prowess of Marcus Thornton.
Alabama is also welcoming back a key player, PG Ronald Steele. The heady guard is back from injury and will be ready to team with freshman forward JaMychal Green and senior guard Alonzo Gee. They have been picked to win the SEC West and will need to play with confidence and not let expectations bring them down.
Kentucky is another team with some nice players like sophomore Patrick Patterson, freshman guard DeAndre Liggins, and junior guard Jodie Meeks, another player coming back from...injury ( Lots of key players back). What is battling them is their lack of depth and quality options off the bench. A guy like sophomore forward AJ Stewart will need to step up off the bench and give Kentucky some quality minutes.
Florida is not bringing back someone from injury but they are trying to replace sophomore Marreese Speights who went pro. Up front will be junior Dan Werner, sophomore Alex Tyus, and freshmen Kenny Kadji and Eloy Vargas. The backcourt is stacked with Nick Calathes, Jai Lucas, and senior Walter Hodge.
Tennessee lost Chris Lofton to graduation while Ramar Smith and Duke Crews were booted. Whats left? They have an absolute star in Tyler Smith, who has to become the go-to-scorer and demand the ball in crunch time. Flanking him will be freshman Scotty Hopson, and juniors Wayne Chism and J.P. Prince. Bruce Pearl is a tremendous coach and always schedules tough non-conference games. These early battles will show a lot about what kind of team the Volunteers have.

SEC EAST:
1. Tennessee*
2. Florida
3. Kentucky
4. South Carolina
5. Vanderbilt
6. Georgia

SEC WEST:
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ole Miss
4. Arkansas
5. Auburn
6. Mississippi State

*overall champion

AWARDS SECTION:

Player of the Year: Tyler Smith, F, Tennessee

Freshman of the Year: JaMychal Green, F, Alabama

Most Improved Player: Stefan Welsh, G, Arkansas

Coach of the Year: Trent Johnson, LSU

All-SEC 1st Team:

C AJ Ogilvy, Vanderbilt
PF Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
SF Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
G/F Tyler Smith, Tennessee
PG Nick Calathes, Florida