Winning does help soften the blow and the Tigers did
plenty of that in 2018-19. They posted a 16-2 conference
record and made it to their fi rst Sweet 16 in 13 seasons.
The victory total also kept its talented core of players
from bolting to the NBA. Skylar Mays, Emmitt Williams,
Marlon Taylor and Javonte Smart all returned to school
and will look to establish chemistry with a strong fresh-
man class.
The anticipation of another football season wasn’t the
only excitement in Gainesville this summer. Florida fans
were ecstatic when touted grad transfer Kerry Blackshear
Jr. from Virginia Tech decided to play on the Gator hard-
wood in his fi nal season. He will be much needed for the
guard-heavy Gators.
Backcourt starters Andrew Nembhard and Noah Locke
return along with wing Keytonae Johnson. Coach Mike
White brings in an All-American recruiting class with Tre
Mann and Scottie Lewis, both Top-10 players. Big man
Omar Payne, will help Blackshear in the post. Florida fea-
tures a young roster. Blackshear will be the only senior.
Tennessee spent most of last year at No. 1 but will have
to contend with the loss of four top players, including two-
time SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams. Senior guard
Lamonte Turner returns after averaging 11 points a season
ago. Reigning Naismith Coach of the Year Rick Barnes said
this will be his tallest group during his stint in Knoxville.
Only two players on the roster are listed below 6-5.
The decision to lure Kermit Davis away from Middle
Tennessee proved to be a prosperous one for Ole Miss. The
Rebels responded with a 20-win season and a trip to the
Big Dance after a four-year absence. Davis was named SEC
Coach of the Year and the school received even more good
news when backcourt mates Breein Tyree and Devontee
Shuler returned to school.
Georgia can remain optimistic after recording just two
conference wins last season. Coach Tom Crean will wel-
come top-10 recruiting class to Athens. Anthony Edwards
is regarded by several publications to be the second-best
recruit in the country the best in Georgia history. Ray-
shaun Hammonds is the returning scorer and rebounder.
Coach Nate Oats shuffl ed off to Tuscaloosa after guiding
Buffalo to 96 wins and three NCAA Tournament berths in
his four seasons. Conversely, the Crimson Tide only has
one in seven seasons. Kira Lewis and John Perry are back
along with grad transfer James Bolden.
Mississippi State lost a Weatherspoon, but one remains.
Coach Ben Howland will rely on point guard Nick
Georgia’s fate likely depends on the talents of freshman
sensation Anthony Edwards.
Weatherspoon and quick guard Reggie Perry, who was
on the SEC All-Freshman team last year.
South Carolina has made the NCAA Tournament just
once in the last 15 years. Two seasons ago, the Gamecocks
earned a trip to the Final Four and coach Frank Martin is
confi dent about this year’s team after 11 conference wins
in 2018-19 and the loss of All-SEC player Chris Silva.
Missouri had its share of bad luck after star players
and brothers, Michael and Jontay Porter, experienced
signifi cant injuries the last two years. Coach Cuonzo
Martin will continue the rebuilding process with a deep
backcourt and solid recruiting class.
Arkansas, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt will see new yet
familiar faces manning the sideline this season. Eric
Musselman brings an NBA coaching resume to Fayette-
ville after the departure of Mike Anderson. The buzz in
College Station is new head man Buzz Williams from
Virginia Tech.
Former Tar Heel and NBA star Jerry Stackhouse will try
and turn things around in Nashville after the Commo-
dores posted a winless record in conference play last year.
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