2008 SEC Basketball Predictions & Season Preview
Written October 17, 2008 by Jack Jones
There are a lot of good young players in the SEC this year and there will be some good teams as well. I’m seeing Tennessee once again in the mix of the national title race, with Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, LSU, and Ole Miss all having pretty good squads that should make the NCAA tournament. Take a look at our predictions on the order of finish, and the odds to win each division from BetUS.
SEC East
1. Tennessee (+125) – This team lost quite a bit, but they still have the best players in the conference in Tyler Smith. This team still has the most talent up and down the roster in the SEC. Read more in our Tennessee basketball predictions article.
2. Florida (+150) – The Gators suffered through a rebuilding year last season but should be back in contention with Nick Calathes leading the way. Read more in our Florida basketball predictions article.
3. Kentucky (+300) – Billy Gillespie put together an ugly year in 2007-08, but he should have some more talent to work with this year, led by Patrick Patterson. Read more in our Kentucky basketball predictions article.
4. Vanderbilt (+1000) – AJ Ogilvy is a talented sophomore, but some more young guys are going to need to step up if the team hopes to return to the tournament. Read more in our Vanderbilt basketball predictions article.
5. South Carolina (+750) – First year head coach Darrin Horn will have Devan Downey to run the team, but there isn’t much talent outside of this star point guard. Read more in our South Carolina basketball predictions article.
6. Georgia (+1200) – This team lost a lot of talent and they weren’t able to replace it with this year’s recruiting class. We don’t expect too much out of the Bulldogs. Read more in our Georgia basketball predictions article.
SEC West
1. Alabama (+150) – A couple of talented seniors in Ronald Steele and Alonzo Gee should help the Tide capture the West crown. Read more in our Alabama basketball predictions article.
2. LSU (+200) – This Tiger team has some talent and should contend for the Western division with guys like Tasmin MItchell and Marcus Thornton leading the way. Read more in our LSU basketball predictions article.
3. Ole Miss (+450) – The Rebel backcourt is strong enough to keep them in most games, but the frontcourt needs to develop in order for this team to return to the NCAA tournament. Read more in our Ole Miss basketball predictions article.
4. Auburn (+600) – Jeff Lobo is on the hot seat and this year’s team isn’t going to do much to change that. I don’t see the Tigers finishing very high in the conference nor making the tournament. Read more in our Auburn basketball predictions article.
5. Mississippi State (+750) – The Bulldogs lost a lot from last year’s squad and will do well if they can work their way up to the middle half of this division. Read more in our Mississippi State basketball predictions article.
6. Arkansas (+750) – The second year for John Pelphry has to feel like starting from scratch once again with so many players gone. The results won’t be as good as last year though. Read more in our Arkansas basketball predictions article.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- SEC Men’s College Basketball Tournament Odds & Picks
- Vanderbilt vs Alabama: SEC Basketball Tournament Predictions
- 2009 Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Tournament Predictions
- Rocketman’s ACC & SEC Tournament Previews
- 2009 SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Predictions
No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!