tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677133315421407371.post6149925486860614495..comments2023-07-23T02:38:09.798-05:00Comments on The Sports VU: 2008-09 SEC Basketball PreviewJarred Amatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01605015627190274503noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677133315421407371.post-50732692495387181042008-04-30T22:07:00.000-05:002008-04-30T22:07:00.000-05:00While I agree that Red and Shan will be missed in ...While I agree that Red and Shan will be missed in the locker room and in practice because everyone respected what they had to say since they were the leaders, some said that our horrible performances on the road were due to a lack of leadership. Some would argue that leadership was lacking last year so will it really be any different? I think it will. Just saying i remember people questioning senior leadership last season.David Shochathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15876511940044151274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677133315421407371.post-54346374450214862302008-04-30T09:54:00.000-05:002008-04-30T09:54:00.000-05:00A question mark for us next year besides the point...A question mark for us next year besides the points already made is who steps up to be the leader on this team?<BR/><BR/>Not necessarily scoring, but who steps up to be the team leader in energy, toughness, practice mentality, locker room, etc. The guy that during key point in the game can make an important score, assist, take a charge, whatever.<BR/><BR/>It should be a senior or junior. Goes a long way in making the freshman better. I think of Freije, Dan Cage, Drew Maddux, Byers, Shan, even Ross did it last year. They could do that one little thing at a key point that really came more from their heart and gut than from just talent.Tony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677133315421407371.post-3950600225928728422008-04-30T01:36:00.000-05:002008-04-30T01:36:00.000-05:00The thing with freshmen is you just never know. AJ...The thing with freshmen is you just never know. AJ was the real deal, but he's the exception, not the rule. That's why it's so hard to make predictions about teams like Vandy and UK who will be relying heavily on freshmen.<BR/><BR/>I think the Commodores will be talented enough to make the Big Dance, but there are a number of question marks. How will the chemistry be? Will they be able to defend? Can this year's freshmen make the leap? Will AJ and Beal assume the leadership responsibilities? <BR/><BR/>You're right that most of the seniors are replaceable from a talent standpoint, but you can't ignore their leadership qualities. Red and Shan in particular taught the underclassmen what it was like to practice hard every day and are singlehandedly responsible for the team's great chemistry. Hopefully the returning players took notes...<BR/><BR/>Regardless of whether they make the tournament, next year's squad should be fun to watch.Jarred Amatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01605015627190274503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677133315421407371.post-3861746158013307592008-04-29T23:32:00.000-05:002008-04-29T23:32:00.000-05:00just a note. Taylor is now a four star guy and act...just a note. Taylor is now a four star guy and actually the highest ranked of any of our recruits. I think the rankings are good. I would be surprised if we don't make the tourney next season if the freshmen are really as good as advertised. Florida, UT, Ole Miss all seem like locks but if Hendrix leaves which i think he will Bama may struggle, Arkansas has lost a ton (more than Vandy), Auburn, UGA, South Carolina should be about normal. Miss St. will really miss Gordon. So that leaves UK, us, and LSU trying to get in granted the SEC gets its normal 5-6 teams in. Also when you look back, sure losing Shan is really going to hurt, but the other guys were solid players not great. I think the other three esp. Metcalfe and Neltner will be easily replaced. We may not have as good of a record next year as this year, but i think we will be an overall better team. This year our record was so good because of our easy first half of the season with all those home games.David Shochathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15876511940044151274noreply@blogger.com