SEC
Locks to make the tournament:1.Arkansas,8.Missouri,11.Ole Miss,19.Georgia,21.Auburn
Teams that should be in:16.Florida,Mississippi State,Kentucky,Alabama,LSU
Locks to make NCAA Tournament
1.Arkansas Projected Record:30-0 (20-0) SEC West Fayetteville,AR
Kelvin Robinson,the best Small Forward in the nation returns for his Sophomore season after averaging 29.9 GPG,8.7 RPG,and 9.2 APG.Arkansas recruited the best recruiting class in the nation led by the top two point guards in the class in Will Schuhmacher (1OV,1PG),and Charlie Radtke (2PG,5OV),Anthony Agnes (2C,6C),and Manny Wilkins (2SG,7OV).They acquired Fred Stweart a top 20 player,and a top three power forward in the class,and a top 25 player,and the sixth best shooting guard in the class.Miller Bailey,and Mac Lewis are top five power forwards in the class,and top ten point guard in Bobby Qualls,and a top ten small forward William Wilson are both studs in the class.They don’t have any veterans,but they do bring back the best small forward in College Throwball,and the projected shooting guard of the year in J.A. Williams.They have a ton of guards including back to back seventh man of the year Josh Green who’s transferring to Texas for his Junior season,and doesn’t even have to sit out a season.So there a lock to make the tournament so here’s their starting lineup:G:Will Schuhmacher (1PG,1OV) G:Charlie Radtke (2PG,5OV) G:J.A. Williams F:Kelvin Robinson C:Anthony Agnes (2C,6OV) Goalie:Hayes Harris
8.Missouri Tigers Projected Record:27-3 (18-2) SEC East Columbia,MO
Missouri is led by one of the most underrated Freshman from the class of 2016 in point guard KaKa Hield.Hield averaged 25.6 GPG,and 9.6 APG.They signed Mason Quincy a top sixty player in the class,and a great small forward that can come in and make an immediate impact.Held and Missouri are ready to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.Missouri is the front runner in the SEC East,but that doesn’t mean they’ll automatically win the division.Remember the new format in place,too.Here’s their starting lineup:G:KaKa Hield G:Don Powell G:Gresham Hicks F:Mason Quincy C:Jack Freeman Goalie:Donald Crawford
11.Ole Miss Rebels SEC West Projected Record:27-3 (18-2) SEC West SEC West Oxford,MS
Ole Miss is led by Junior standout shooting guard Fred Manning who could beat anybody off the dribble,and shoot lights out every night on a Throwball field.They did’t sign anybody in 2017,but that’s okay.They’re ready to win now.It’s time for Ole Miss to take that next step in the process of winning a National Championship.Of course they may not do that,but I think they need to take the next step to winning it.Ole Miss should be at least a five seed in this upcoming NCAA Tournament,but who knows where they’ll be honestly.Here’s their starting lineup: G:Anthony Oliver G:Fred Manning F:Antonio Mulligan F:Les Wilkins C:Andrew Williamson Goalie:Justin Terry
19.Georgia Bulldogs SEC East Projected Record:27-3 (18-2) SEC East Athens,GA
Georgia is led by Junior star point guard Mark Feland,and had a great recruiting class.Their top player form the 2017 class was Christian Thomas who is the fourth best point guard in the class,eighteenth best overall.They landed Justice Thomas (9SG,42OV),Freddy Watson (10SF,44OV),and Hughes Wright (7C,46OV).Georgia is bound for an Elite Eight run after a breakout season last year.Mark Feland averaged 24.6 GPG,and 8.9 APG for the Bulldogs last season.Georgia has the talent,and they need to just win now.Here’s their starting lineup:G:Mark Feland G:Christian Thomas (4PG,18OV) G:Justin Thomas (9SG,42OV) F:Freddy Watson (10SF,44OV) C:Hughes Wright (7C,46OV)
21.Auburn Tigers SEC West Projected Record:27-3 (18-2) SEC West Auburn,AL
Auburn is led by Junior star point guard Cam Jones.Jones averaged 27.3 GPG,and 10.2 APG leading his team all the way to the Elite Eight before losing to Arkansas.He wasn’t the only big time scorer as rising Sophomore Power FOrward Nick Bull who averaged 14.6 GPG,and 8.2 RPG,and Junior Center Tristan Thomas averaged 15.8 GPG and 10.6 RPG per game.Auburn should be a team that makes a long run in the NCAA Tournament.Auburn is team that has a great offense,but need to imrpove on the defensive side against top tear teams.Here’s their starting lineup:G:Cam Jones G:Thomp Walker F:Houston Nix F:Nick Bull C:Tristan Thomas Goalie:Victor Quessenberry
Teams that should be in
16.Florida Gators SEC East Projected Record:26-4 (16-4) SEC East Gainseville,FL
Florida isn’t a lock to make the tournament because they lost so much talent.NTBL Rookie,and former Gator Trevor Gresham,his brother,Trick is a Junior who will be leading this team for a year more most likely,and then might transfer out becuase of all the talent that Florida has brought in for their 2018 class.Trick averaged 15.4 GPG,and 6.3 APG off the bench last season for the Gators.Florida may make the big dance,but I don’t think they’ll make it far.Florida signed Greg Frederick (9PF,52OV).I think that Florida is team that could surprise some people in the SEC,but maybe not.Florida is known to be a power,but maybe not this year.There are a lot of questions surrounding this Florida team this year.Will they make the big dance?Here’s their startting lineup:G:Trick Gresham G:Dallas Houston F:Ricardo Frederick F:Greg Frederick (9PF,52OV) C:Victor Zeller Goalie:T.J. Stoudemire
Alabama Crimson Tide SEC West Projected Record:21-9 (15-5) SEC West Tuscaloosa,AL
Alabama is a team on the rise after falling out of the Top 25 last year.They’re led by Senior Point Guard Mitch McCaron who averaged 20.9 GPG,and dished out 10.2 APG.Sophomore shooting guards Evan Brown,and Andrew McCaffrey will both start,one at the two one at the three.Alabam is destined for a great season with all the talent in the world,but they have to play that way if they want to win.Their ball handlers can play,but what about their front court?They did sign Andre Pane (11SF,55OV),but that’s it.Can Alabama win twenty-five games?Will have to wait,and see.Alabama looks to feed of their home crowd in the rowdy Tide’s corner.Alabama looks vulnerable at the front court positions,but they have amazing players at the wings,and the point guard spot.Starting Lineup:G:Mitch McCaron G:Andrew McCaffrey G:Evan Brown F:Jacob Jones C:Caleb Reese Goalie:Alonzo Zaire
Mississippi State Bulldogs SEC West Projected Record:19-11 (13-7) SEC West Starkville,MS
Mississippi is a nice youg team that could possibly make the tournament in this upcoming season.They’re led by two amazing scorers in Sophomore Small Forward Jonathan Eubanks and Sophomore Point Guard Theo Chalmers.Mississippi STate could possibly be a one seed in the NIT as well.Eubanks,the brother of Ft.Lauderdale star Robert Eubanks,averaged 23.2 GPG and 7.6 RPG last season as Freshman,and Chalmers averaged 15.6 GPG,and 10.9 APG as a Freshman.Awesome right?Well yes that’s asweome,but Eubanks was the only consistent defender on the team.Like many teams in the conference,Mississippi State needs help on the defensive side.Theo Chalmers showed signs of being a good defender so that’s good.Are the Bulldogs primed for a breakout season?Throwball News Take:I think their defense will slow them down form being a twenty-three to twenty-five win team.Here’s their starting lineup:G:Theo Chalmers G:William Norfield F:Jonathan Eubanks F:Tevin Althoff C:Greg Anderson Goalie:Freddy Mantel
LSU Tigers SEC West Projected Record:18-12 (11-9) SEC West Baton Rouge,LA
Junior Point Guard James Schuhmacher led the charge for the Tigers averaging 23.4 GPG,and 7.6 APG on the season.LSU brings in Greg Hughes (3C,10OV),and Marty Williger (8PG,42OV).LSU was a deent team last year,winning the NIT Tournament Championship over Texas.LSU will come into this season with high expectations,and everyone is wondering,will they reach everybody’s high expectations?It’s going to be hard with tough teams in their conference,but as I’ve said before,who knows what will happen in this upcoming season?LSU could possibly be a high seed in the NCAA Tournament,or they could drop down to just an NIT bid.I may be tough,but I think LSU has a chance to make it in the NCAA Tournament.Will they make the Tournament?Throwball News Take:If they played their best ball at the end of the season I think they could,but it’s going to be tough.Starting Lineup: G:James Schuhmacher G:Will Patton F:Deon Cole F:Benny Thoco C:Greg Hughes Goalie:Kenny West
Kentucky Wildcats SEC East Projected Record:17-13 (12-8) SEC East Lexington,KY
Sophomore Power Forward Kathlon Robinson out of Little Rock,Arkansas played great as a Freshman for the Wildcats as he averaged 17.6 GPG,and 11.2 RPG.Robinson is hands down the best player on this team,leading the Wildcats to a three seed in the NIT Tournament,and spot in the NIT Final FOur before lsoing to Texas.Kentucky is a team with a ton of raw talent so I could see them being a team on the bubble.If not,I fully expect a one-seed in the NIt for them.Kentucky’s Senior Point Guard Justin Luke is really a leader for this team,and going into his Senior season he averaged 14.6 GPG,and 9.8 APG as a Junior.Kentucky can win,but they’ve just got to show it to us,and prove that their a worthy team of making the Big Dance.Is Kathlon RObinson a top tear power forward?Throwball News Take:Yes,because of his versatility,and scoring ability.Starting Lineup: G:Justin Luke G:Shepard James F:Chris Hill F:Kathlon Robinson C:Brett Allen Goalie:Benny Allen