Best-case/Worst-case scenarios for SEC
July, 26, 2012
7/26/12
7:22
PM ET
By
Eamonn Brennan | ESPN.com
Editor's note: ESPN.com’s Summer Shootaround series catches up on the offseason storylines for each conference. For more on SEC, click here.
Alabama
Best-case scenario: The most impressive thing about Alabama's season was not just that Anthony Grant had the onions to suspend his two best players down the stretch but also that Alabama played so well after he did. That bodes well for the upcoming season, in which Grant will incorporate talented freshman small forward Devonta Pollard with essentially the same team that finished 7-3 down the stretch. If Alabama can find some outside shooting to go with its typically stingy defense, it should be in the NCAA tournament yet again.
Worst-case scenario: The Crimson Tide shot 28.9 percent from 3 last season, good for 328th in the country. That was the main cause of Alabama's offensive struggles, and Pollard is unlikely to alleviate it this season. If the defense slips even a bit from its top 10 efficiency perch, Alabama will take a step back.
Arkansas
Best-case scenario: B.J. Young is a highly talented player and a prime candidate for breakout stardom, but he isn't the only talented sophomore on the roster. When Mike Anderson took over at Arkansas, he managed to keep all of John Pelphrey's last-ditch 2011 recruiting class, including guard Rashad Madden and forward Hunter Mickelson. With a season in Anderson's demanding system under its belt, this program appears set to vault itself to NCAA-tournament-bubble relevance once more.
Worst-case scenario: I'm not sure how this team won't improve, given the increase in experience and the time spent learning on the fly last season. But for all that talent, the Razorbacks have to improve on the defensive side of the floor. Anderson's teams are at their best hassling opponents 90 feet from the rim, but the 2011-12 edition was far too permissive to be a consistent winner.
Auburn
Best-case scenario: Tony Barbee has raved about the talent he has accumulated this offseason. That's not exactly a high bar, but he has a point. Auburn brought in two top-100 recruits, four-star shooting guard Brian Greene and two junior college transfers who could contribute right away. This will be a whole new squad, and while an NCAA tournament berth is still a season or two away, the Tigers are almost certain to improve over their ugly, sub-.500 season.
Worst-case scenario: Barbee will have to rely on his newcomers, because almost no one else is left. This young team could take its lumps early and may finish in the bottom of the SEC yet again. But the fresh start is what really matters.
Alabama
Best-case scenario: The most impressive thing about Alabama's season was not just that Anthony Grant had the onions to suspend his two best players down the stretch but also that Alabama played so well after he did. That bodes well for the upcoming season, in which Grant will incorporate talented freshman small forward Devonta Pollard with essentially the same team that finished 7-3 down the stretch. If Alabama can find some outside shooting to go with its typically stingy defense, it should be in the NCAA tournament yet again.
Worst-case scenario: The Crimson Tide shot 28.9 percent from 3 last season, good for 328th in the country. That was the main cause of Alabama's offensive struggles, and Pollard is unlikely to alleviate it this season. If the defense slips even a bit from its top 10 efficiency perch, Alabama will take a step back.
Arkansas
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Brian ChilsonB.J. Young was one of the best freshmen in the SEC last season. What can we expect of him during his second season with Mike Anderson?
AP Photo/Brian ChilsonB.J. Young was one of the best freshmen in the SEC last season. What can we expect of him during his second season with Mike Anderson?Worst-case scenario: I'm not sure how this team won't improve, given the increase in experience and the time spent learning on the fly last season. But for all that talent, the Razorbacks have to improve on the defensive side of the floor. Anderson's teams are at their best hassling opponents 90 feet from the rim, but the 2011-12 edition was far too permissive to be a consistent winner.
Auburn
Best-case scenario: Tony Barbee has raved about the talent he has accumulated this offseason. That's not exactly a high bar, but he has a point. Auburn brought in two top-100 recruits, four-star shooting guard Brian Greene and two junior college transfers who could contribute right away. This will be a whole new squad, and while an NCAA tournament berth is still a season or two away, the Tigers are almost certain to improve over their ugly, sub-.500 season.
Worst-case scenario: Barbee will have to rely on his newcomers, because almost no one else is left. This young team could take its lumps early and may finish in the bottom of the SEC yet again. But the fresh start is what really matters.
Editor's note: ESPN.com’s Summer Shootaround series catches up on the offseason storylines for each conference. For more on SEC, click here.
Alabama: Trevor Releford
The Crimson Tide lost a host of important pieces and will be relying mainly on freshmen and sophomores. Coach Anthony Grant will need Releford to lead the way on the score sheet and in the locker room.
Arkansas: B.J. Young
The highly touted guard had a solid freshman season and could be poised for a major breakout as a sophomore. Guard play, particularly point guard play, is probably the most important part of Mike Anderson's up-tempo attack. Young will have the ball in his hands often and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Auburn: Jordan Price
The top recruit in Tony Barbee's 2012 class, joining a roster decimated by dismissals and offseason transfers, Price should be the best Tigers player from the get-go.
Florida: Kenny Boynton
Once seen as a conscienceless gunner, Boynton quietly submitted a fantastic offensive season for the Gators. With Brad Beal and Erving Walker gone, Boynton should get even more touches. If he maintains his efficiency, look out.
Alabama: Trevor Releford
The Crimson Tide lost a host of important pieces and will be relying mainly on freshmen and sophomores. Coach Anthony Grant will need Releford to lead the way on the score sheet and in the locker room.
Arkansas: B.J. Young
The highly touted guard had a solid freshman season and could be poised for a major breakout as a sophomore. Guard play, particularly point guard play, is probably the most important part of Mike Anderson's up-tempo attack. Young will have the ball in his hands often and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Auburn: Jordan Price
The top recruit in Tony Barbee's 2012 class, joining a roster decimated by dismissals and offseason transfers, Price should be the best Tigers player from the get-go.
Florida: Kenny Boynton
Once seen as a conscienceless gunner, Boynton quietly submitted a fantastic offensive season for the Gators. With Brad Beal and Erving Walker gone, Boynton should get even more touches. If he maintains his efficiency, look out.
Justin Coleman (Birmingham, Ala./John Carroll Catholic) lies in the heart of SEC territory.
And having offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Radford, Tennessee and UAB, it makes sense geographically for the 2014 point guard.
Florida State, the reigning ACC champion, traveled to check out Coleman at a tournament two weeks ago. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound guard says he would definitely be interested in the Seminoles.
And having offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Radford, Tennessee and UAB, it makes sense geographically for the 2014 point guard.
Florida State, the reigning ACC champion, traveled to check out Coleman at a tournament two weeks ago. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound guard says he would definitely be interested in the Seminoles.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The University of Alabama will face some stern competition early on in the basketball season as it participates in the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Crimson Tide will face Oregon State on Nov. 15 in the first game of the tournament that will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. The second game will feature Villanova against Purdue at 9:30 p.m.
The third-place game will take place the following night at 5 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Last season Alabama competed in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and won the tournament, beating Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue. Alabama went on to finish the regular season fifth in the SEC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. Alabama lost to Creighton in the first round and finished the year 21-12 overall.
Alabama's first-round opponent in the 2K Sports Classic, Oregon State, had its best season since 1989 when the Beavers won 22 games. Oregon State's season ended with a third-round loss to Washington State in College Basketball Invitational.
Purdue closed the season strong by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers, who finished 22-13, lost to the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks by three points.
Villanova had a subpar year, finishing 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the Big East. It was the first season the Wildcats did not reach the NCAA tournament since 2004.
The third-place game will take place the following night at 5 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Last season Alabama competed in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and won the tournament, beating Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue. Alabama went on to finish the regular season fifth in the SEC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. Alabama lost to Creighton in the first round and finished the year 21-12 overall.
Alabama's first-round opponent in the 2K Sports Classic, Oregon State, had its best season since 1989 when the Beavers won 22 games. Oregon State's season ended with a third-round loss to Washington State in College Basketball Invitational.
Purdue closed the season strong by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers, who finished 22-13, lost to the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks by three points.
Villanova had a subpar year, finishing 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the Big East. It was the first season the Wildcats did not reach the NCAA tournament since 2004.
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 37 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
The University of Alabama secondary experienced an overhaul when the season ended. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie all left for the NFL. But one man with his own pro prospects decided to stick around: No. 37 Robert Lester.
For a unit introducing new starters at cornerback and safety, Lester's return for his senior season was huge. The continuity he brings at safety is invaluable to newcomers like Deion Belue, Travell Dixon and Landon Collins, as well as underclassmen like Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.
Lester, who could blend in with strong personalities like Barron and Dont'a Hightower before, is now taking on more of a leadership role as an elder statesman on defense. He told reporters this spring that there are, "a lot of areas that we want to improve on. Less mental errors. Pick up on the loafs, stop loafing around. Just execute more. You can never be perfect out there and we want to get as close to that as possible.
The University of Alabama secondary experienced an overhaul when the season ended. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie all left for the NFL. But one man with his own pro prospects decided to stick around: No. 37 Robert Lester.
For a unit introducing new starters at cornerback and safety, Lester's return for his senior season was huge. The continuity he brings at safety is invaluable to newcomers like Deion Belue, Travell Dixon and Landon Collins, as well as underclassmen like Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.
Lester, who could blend in with strong personalities like Barron and Dont'a Hightower before, is now taking on more of a leadership role as an elder statesman on defense. He told reporters this spring that there are, "a lot of areas that we want to improve on. Less mental errors. Pick up on the loafs, stop loafing around. Just execute more. You can never be perfect out there and we want to get as close to that as possible.
ESPN 150 RB Alvin Kamara names top five 
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
1:53
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) has narrowed his list of college destinations down to a top five.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TN Mailbag: Filling out the 2013 class
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
9:38
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf and
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Alabama recruiting writer Greg Ostendorf and beat writer Alex Scarborough bring you another edition of The TideNation mailbag, answering your questions about recruiting, football and basketball.
@HighTide_14 asks: How will Bama finish up their class? Who do you think they get?
Ostendorf: With 18 commitments already on board, Alabama is running out of room in its 2013 class. I’ll focus on the ESPN 150 prospects who are still considering the Crimson Tide. I think they are in great shape to land defensive end/linebacker Demarcus Walker and running back Derrick Henry. Both could announce their intentions in the next month. The biggest name still out there is offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Originally, most thought he wouldn’t leave the state of Florida, but Alabama made up a lot of ground on his last visit and now has a legitimate shot to land the five-star. The Tide could also pull a top linebacker, Kendell Beckwith or Matthew Thomas, or Pa. wide receiver Robert Foster in this class.
@HighTide_14 asks: How will Bama finish up their class? Who do you think they get?
Ostendorf: With 18 commitments already on board, Alabama is running out of room in its 2013 class. I’ll focus on the ESPN 150 prospects who are still considering the Crimson Tide. I think they are in great shape to land defensive end/linebacker Demarcus Walker and running back Derrick Henry. Both could announce their intentions in the next month. The biggest name still out there is offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Originally, most thought he wouldn’t leave the state of Florida, but Alabama made up a lot of ground on his last visit and now has a legitimate shot to land the five-star. The Tide could also pull a top linebacker, Kendell Beckwith or Matthew Thomas, or Pa. wide receiver Robert Foster in this class.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 38 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
Paul 'Bear' Bryant had a lot of good tailbacks in his decades coaching the Crimson Tide. But the best may have been Johnny Musso. The former Alabama great was a scoring machine for Bryant, finding the end zone 38 times in his career.
Until running backs like Bobby Humphrey, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson came around, it was Musso who stood out as the most prolific running back in Alabama history.
CAREER TOUCHDOWNS LEADERS
Musso is one of 12 Alabama players to ever be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fifth in 1971 when he ran for 1,088 yards and scored 100 points. He twice led the SEC in rushing, going for 1,137 yards in 1970 and 1,088 yards in 1971. He was an All-SEC selection both seasons.
Musso was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, and the College Football Hall of Fame 11 years later.
Paul 'Bear' Bryant had a lot of good tailbacks in his decades coaching the Crimson Tide. But the best may have been Johnny Musso. The former Alabama great was a scoring machine for Bryant, finding the end zone 38 times in his career.
Until running backs like Bobby Humphrey, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson came around, it was Musso who stood out as the most prolific running back in Alabama history.
CAREER TOUCHDOWNS LEADERS
1. Shaun Alexander: 50 (41 rushing, 8 receiving, 1 kickoff return)
2. Mark Ingram: 46 (42 rushing, 4 receiving)
3. Trent Richardson 43 (35 rushing, 7 receiving, 1 kickoff return)
4. Bobby Humphrey 40 (33 rushing, 7 receiving)
5. Johnny Musso 38 (34 rushing, 4 receiving)
Musso is one of 12 Alabama players to ever be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fifth in 1971 when he ran for 1,088 yards and scored 100 points. He twice led the SEC in rushing, going for 1,137 yards in 1970 and 1,088 yards in 1971. He was an All-SEC selection both seasons.
Musso was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, and the College Football Hall of Fame 11 years later.
It has been a busy summer for ESPN 100 point guard Rashawn Powell. He took part in both the Deron Williams Nike Basketball Skills Academy and LeBron James Skills Academy, and he has played in multiple AAU tournaments, most recently the Peach State Invitational.
Powell seems to improve every time he gets on the floor, and college coaches are starting to notice. University of Alabama head coach Anthony Grant has been so impressed with Powell's play this summer that he offered the Florida native a scholarship.
“It felt good,” Powell said of the offer. “I had played in front of the assistant coach, and I felt like I needed to wait for the head coach to see me play. I just felt like I needed to go harder. When the head coach offered me, I just felt like I did pretty good in front of him, and that’s why he offered.
Powell seems to improve every time he gets on the floor, and college coaches are starting to notice. University of Alabama head coach Anthony Grant has been so impressed with Powell's play this summer that he offered the Florida native a scholarship.
“It felt good,” Powell said of the offer. “I had played in front of the assistant coach, and I felt like I needed to wait for the head coach to see me play. I just felt like I needed to go harder. When the head coach offered me, I just felt like I did pretty good in front of him, and that’s why he offered.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Bama leads for ESPN 150 TE Greg Taboada
July, 24, 2012
7/24/12
6:58
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama already has commitments from O.J. Howard and Josh McNeil, two of the top five tight ends in the country, but that hasn’t stopped the Crimson Tide from going after one more in this class.
On Monday, ESPN 150 tight end Greg Taboada visited Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. He toured the campus, talked with people in the business department and met with the coaching staff.
“Coach [Chris] Rumph is my main recruiter, and after the first time I was there, he had been getting on me to just come back one more time, so he could set up the whole tour,” Taboada said. “They just wanted me to come back one more time and get a better idea of what they’re about and all that.”
On Monday, ESPN 150 tight end Greg Taboada visited Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. He toured the campus, talked with people in the business department and met with the coaching staff.
“Coach [Chris] Rumph is my main recruiter, and after the first time I was there, he had been getting on me to just come back one more time, so he could set up the whole tour,” Taboada said. “They just wanted me to come back one more time and get a better idea of what they’re about and all that.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
While 25 top quarterbacks from the 2013 recruiting class spent the weekend in California showcasing their skills at the Elite 11 finals, a talented Los Angeles area quarterback in the 2014 class took the opportunity to head across the country to visit two traditional powers.
Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and several family members had an opportunity to take in the sights this past weekend at Tennessee and Alabama. The visit to Tennessee was his first trip to a college campus that came complete with a tour and opportunity to meet a college coaching staff, and the 6-foot-3, 199-pound quarterback was impressed.
“It surpassed my expectations,” Dawkins said. “It was really great out there.”
Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and several family members had an opportunity to take in the sights this past weekend at Tennessee and Alabama. The visit to Tennessee was his first trip to a college campus that came complete with a tour and opportunity to meet a college coaching staff, and the 6-foot-3, 199-pound quarterback was impressed.
“It surpassed my expectations,” Dawkins said. “It was really great out there.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Nick Saban talks to Chris Fowler about trying to defend their championship, playing in the tough SEC, and what to expect from quarterback A.J. McCarron.
TideNation writer Greg Ostendorf talks with 2014 running back prospect Bo Scarbrough, who named Georgia his early leader followed by Alabama, Clemson and Florida.
Running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) is used to being a marked man. It started last year when he was a freshman on the East River High School football team in Orlando, Fla., where he rushed for more than 1,200 yard on 150 carries. Former teammate Ryne Rankin welcomed Patrick to the varsity squad in the traditional way.
“I remember giving Jacques his first true varsity hit at practice,” said Rankin, a four-star ILB who committed to Georgia this spring. “They faked a dive with him and ran the option. And though he didn’t have the ball, I showed him how a fake dive ends up for the running back when they play against me. He took the hit and I just stood over him and said, ‘Welcome to varsity football, baby.’ I helped him up and he just smiled. He knew from then on he would have to keep his head on a swivel and go 100 miles an hour on every play.”
Patrick didn’t hold a grudge.
“I remember giving Jacques his first true varsity hit at practice,” said Rankin, a four-star ILB who committed to Georgia this spring. “They faked a dive with him and ran the option. And though he didn’t have the ball, I showed him how a fake dive ends up for the running back when they play against me. He took the hit and I just stood over him and said, ‘Welcome to varsity football, baby.’ I helped him up and he just smiled. He knew from then on he would have to keep his head on a swivel and go 100 miles an hour on every play.”
Patrick didn’t hold a grudge.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.