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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 10-21-2014, 06:51 PM:

This site has Florida second and Arkansas third.

Kentucky

Kentucky will be really, really good. Don't run getting any tattoos, Big Blue Nation, but the Wildcats look like a lock to win the SEC with yet another squad loaded with future pros. The “platoon system” has been all the chatter of the preseason, and whether or not John Calipari can get everyone to buy in on a system that gives all nine of his McDonald's All-Americans an opportunity to see the floor for approximately the same amount of time. When the rotation trims, and we expect it will, look for Andrew and Aaron Harrison to return as go-to players late in the season and Willie Cauley-Stein, if healthy, to be even more engaged thanks to the competition from Karl Towns and Trey Lyles. In fact, the crowded post position and lack of a traditional swing/small forward is the only concern looking at the NBA Rookie-Sophomore game lineups Kentucky's roster.

2. Florida

Florida's personnel losses are notable, no doubt, but would you bet against Billy Donovan returning to the second weekend of the tournament? Kasey Hill got some extra experience at the point last season and Michael Frazier II is one of the best three-point shooters in the conference. Dorian Finney-Smith is the only certainty in the frontcourt, though, as Gators fans hope for a step forward from Chris Walker and/or an immediate impact from five-star freshman Devin Robinson. Transfers Alex Murphy (Duke) and Jon Horford (Michigan) provide some depth, but the Gators potential this season seems dependent on whether Walker can deliver more flashes of that professional potential before leaving Gainesville.

3. Arkansas

After Kentucky and Florida, you could take the next seven or eight teams and order them any you like; it wouldn't be a better or worse bet than what we have listed here. I'm personally betting on Bobby Portis, a legitimate 6-11 star who could have left for the NBA after last season, to not only lead this team but evolve into a player worth SEC Player of the Year consideration. That won't be enough to get Arkansas into the tournament for the first time under Mike Anderson, as the Hogs will need the every bit of Rashad Madden and Michael Qualls' experience and production along with an answer to the concerns at point guard. It seems like Arkansas has the perfect combination of scheme, athleticism and talent to break through and we think this is the year it happens.

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