Do we dare

[bigwater]

Talk college basketball

I think the Rebs are for real and this is the year
Kennedy makes the big dance.

States 2-0. Never woulda guessed that ..

The conference sucks weak

[litlhitch]

Yeh, state may have trouble winning another SEC game but I love seeing them hustle up and down the court. Haven't seen that in a long time. They just need some more pure shooters. After Jalen Steele, we don't have a shooter.

[MSDawg870]

Rebs are solid.

State's playin scrappy, but I'm afraid we will wear down as the season goes.

Glad to see Kentucky lose the other day after they were given a W at Vandy Wed. night.

[davidees]

I just can't watch SEC basketball right now. It's pathetic. I do like what Rick Ray is doing so far and hope he keeps it up. If he can recruit some talent MSU will be aight.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

By the end of the season, all of the SEC teams will have improved. There is a lot of youth right now on some of the traditional basketball schools in the SEC.

Kentucky is stuggling right now. Relying on talented, incoming freshmen has finally caught up with the UK cats. They aren't loaded with freshmen first round NBA draft choices this season. But, that does not mean that they lack talent, or can't or won't be any good. They have consistently brought in top national recruiting classes. Its just a matter of time and experience. I predict that they will finish this season strong and make another run in the NCAA tournament.

Florida is pretty solid, once again.

Vandy is rebuilding, but should be better as the season progresses.

Missouri has the potential to be really good, once they get their top scorer back from injury.

Texas A&M appears to have a solid team.

The Ole Miss Rebels may have their best team since Kennedy has been at Ole Miss. IF the Rebels can stay healthy in the post, they have a chance to make some noise this year in the NCAA tournament.

Arkansas has a team with solid talent that could get better as the season progresses and get hot at the right moment to make the NCAA tournament and win a game or two.

That is seven teams that are capable of not only making the NCAA tournament, but making a run in the tournament. While we don't have a dominating front runner right now, that does not mean that the SEC is chopped liver.

While MSU is playing better than I expected, I don't think it will ultimately be enough to make the NCAA tournament. The hole dug during the non-conference portion of the schedule is too great. But, they are playing very hard and giving everything that they have. IF they can defend their home floor againt enough SEC opponents, then I think they have a shot at an NIT bid. Considering the shortage of scholarship players, the exodus of coaches and players from last season, and the pre-season injuries sustained to some key players, it is remarkable that they have won their first two SEC games --- one on the road against UGA. The Dogs are a scrappy bunch, and any SEC team that does not come ready to play may find themselves getting beat. Coach Ray appears to be doing a great job and will be considered successful in his first season if he can just hold the fort together and continue to make improvements from now until the end of the season, setting the stage for a good recruiting class and a better chance for next season. An NIT bid would be spectacular, considering from where they have come. Reminds me of the Rebels during Rob Evans' first season or two --- not a lot of talent, but played very hard and physical. Although only time will tell, I think MSU may have found themselves a good basketball coach in Coach Ray.

Out of the other teams --- UT, UGA, South Carolina, LSU, Alabama, Auburn --- one or more of these teams could emerge as a contender by the end of the season.

Ultimately, with the addition of TAM and Missouri, I think the SEC gets 6 teams into the NCAA tournament, and approx 2-4 teams into the NIT. How well our NCAA teams do in the tournament will ultimately determine if this is a "weak" year in the SEC or not.

[augustus_65]

I am hoping Auburn has finally turned the corner this season. Coach Barbee has put together some decent recruiting classes and they are off to a 2-0 start in SEC play for the first time in ten years. We beat LSU and South Carolina on the road, but we play Arkansas on the road and Kentucky at home this week so I guess we will find out a lot more about our team in the next few games.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

we will find out a lot more about our team in the next few games.

That will be true for every team in the league. Its still early and a lot can happen.

[bigwater]

Rebs win at Vandy. Marshall Henderson
Ain't skared

[MSDawg870]

Win and a cover, crazy ending to regulation

[Po Monkey Lounger]

All I can say is.... WOW.

That white boy got game.

[bigwater]

Anyone watch state play tonight
Phweweeeee
Boy we stunk
Looked like Ned claibourne's 3rd team
Hatchet squad from tillitoba

[MSDawg870]

Scrappy-s= crappy

All I can say

[msudawg8087]

Crappy was an understatement last night. Never seen so many turnovers in my life. They looked like a bunch of Gary Irvins driving down the floor uncontrolled and losing the ball. These boys are young though and the lack of players isnt helping. They are getting a solid grasp of the basics and hard nosed defense by Ray. Overall, I like where we're goin, just gonna take some time.

[mshunter77]

Man I thought Bama was going to be bad but goodness, state could have the worst team ever.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

MSU has only 7 scholarship players this season due the coaching change, mass player attrition, and pre-season injuries. It's going to be an up and down season for the Dogs due to expected inconsistency. Gonna have to have patience.