SEC Basketball: New No. 1 Leader Not Named Kentucky

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the Kentucky Wildcats almost ran the tables in the SEC. They were rarely tested and prevailed by big numbers every game. However, Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss and Georgia all have something to say about that this year.

This upcoming 2010-11' season the Florida Gators are conceived to win the SEC. They did return all five starters from last year's NCAA Tournament squad that lost a heartbreaker to BYU. Not to mention, the Gators picked up a highly touted freshman in Patric Young that will pose as a key threat off the bench.

With Chandler Parson leading the way for the Gators Head Coach Billy Donovan should be smiling a lot during the conference slate of games.

The Gators received eight first place votes with the Ole Miss Rebels trailing with three, and the Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers each with two.

Ole Miss returned their senior lead guard Chris Warren, and surrounded him with an elite freshman like Demarco Cox. Not to mention, starters Zach Graham, Murphy Holloway, and Terrance Henry were reserved for the upcoming season.

Expect the Rebels to be dancing this season rather making a run at the NIT Championship.

Kentucky, as expected, reloaded for another year of College Basketball. They retained DeAndre Liggins, and brought in Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Terrence Jones, Enes Kanter and many other freshmen that can make an instant impact.

With the notion that Kanter will not receive eligibility, the Wildcats deserve the spot given. With Kanter, the Wildcats could challenge for the top spot in the SEC.

My sleeper is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Freshman guard Trevor Releford will have the Tide rolling high with returning players JaMychal Green, Tony Mitchell, Senario Hillman, Chris Hines and more.

This year's team to watch is the Georgia Bulldogs. Yes, they received one first place vote, but they should have gotten more. Trey Thompkins, and Travis Leslie both returned for the Bulldogs. Last season, the duo almost scored 50 percent of the Bulldogs points.

This year they added freshman Marcus Thornton, and returned starters Jeremy Price, along with Dustin Ware.

With electrifying Travis Leslie, the Bulldogs will challenge for the first place slot in the SEC. Brandon Knight of Kentucky, Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins of Georgia, Jeffery Taylor of Vandy, and Chris Warren of Ole Miss were all First SEC-Team.

Overall, the SEC Conference should be among the toughest basketball conferences in all of College Basketball. The SEC has some of College Basketball's most electrifying athletes.

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Julian Royal Set To Announce His College Decision

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Julian Royal, a 6-foot-8 forward from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia is considered one of the best power forwards in the 2011 class.

Royal, is a very skilled forward that has a versatile skill set. He is dominant on the low block, possessing strong moves to score in the paint.

Not to mention, he uses his strength to overpower defenders to score.

Royal can also step outside the paint and work his way inside. He can knock down those mid-range jumpers consistently.

There are five schools that he considered before dropping his list down to the Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

He will announce whether he will be a Bulldog or Yellow Jacket on Thurday October, 14 2010 at his high school Milton.

Georgia is hoping for a package deal that contains both Royal, and 2011 guard Dai-Jon Parker. However, the Yellow Jackets have a chance to grasp the talented in-state star.

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A Look at This Past Weekend's 2011 Commitments

Posted by CoHoops Paul Seaver

The Georgetown Hoyas locked up their first commitment of 2011 this past weekend. 6-foot-4 wing man Jabril Trawick chose G'town over Virginia, Charlottle, VCU, and Rutgers.

Georgia has picked up another in-state prospect for 2011. Head coach Mark Fox continues to earn the commitment of in-state talent, most recently that of Tim Dixon, who committed to the Bulldogs during his weekend visit to campus.

At the tail end of last week, Niagara earned the verbal commitments from a pair of Philadelphia guards. Juan'ya Green and Ameen Tanksley both shared their intentions to head to the MAAC school, giving the Purple Eagles a quick start on their class of 2011.

One of the top centers in the country, Kenyatta Smith is headed to the Ivy League and more so, he's headed across the country. The 6-foot-8 big man and California native is headed to Harvard, making his decision known during his visit this past weekend. Smith chose Harvard over the likes of Penn, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern.

Maryland native Julian DeBose is headed to Conference USA following his decision to play his collegiate ball at Rice. DeBose, a 6-foot-4 guard will join the Owls in 2011 after receiving attention from DePaul, VCU, Delaware, Mount St. Mary's, and Siena.

Sam Thompson, rated as the 56th best prospect in the nation from the class of 2011, is headed to Ohio State. Thompson, a 6-foot-7 small forward out of Chicago, Illinois chose the Buckeyes over Florida, Georgetown, Oregon State, and Kansas.

The three-time defending Ivy League champions have received a verbal of their own. The commitment comes from 6-foot-6 Ohio native Shonn Miller.

7-foot-2 big man and Sudan native Chier Ajou is headed to New Mexico. Ajou is New Mexico's third commitment already for 2011, joining Dominique Dunning and Abdel Nader.

Tulane has earned the verbal commitment of Alabama point guard Ricky Tarrant. The 6-foot PG also considered Murray State, UAB, Cleveland, and Wright State.

Shortly after receiving the verbal commitment of Jordan Baker, Pepperdine received their second commitment for the class of 2011. This time it was 6-foot-8 power forward Ramon Eaton offering his intentions to head to the WCC, choosing Pepperdine over USC and Loyola Marymount.

Zaid Hearst has verbally committed to Quinnipiac. The Maryland shooting guard chose the Bobcats over Lehigh, Siena, American, Lafayette, and UC-Irvine.

Missouri State received its second commitment for the class of 2011 after Andrew Wilson offered his verbal intentions. Wilson, a 6-foot-7 power forward chose Missouri State over Tulsa and Oral Roberts.

Texas wing man Terran Pettway is headed to Texas Tech. The 6-foot-5 small forward chose the Red Raiders over UTEP, SMU, Colorado, and Auburn and is considered the 30th best SF in the class of 2011 according to ESPNU.

New Charlotte head coach Alan Major landed his first commitment for 2011. Mike Thorne is one of the higher rated centers in the country, 19th at his position according to ESPNU, and at 6-foot-10 should be able to help the 49ers down low.


*Photo: Sam Thompson *Credit: illinois.scout.com

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