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SECond glances
So, a topsy-turvy Tuesday revealed some fundamental truths across the SEC.
Not sure all of these rise to the levels of true “SECond looks” per se, but a couple just need to be repeated.
› Alabama’s offense is elite.
› Tennessee’s defense is elite.
That spins us forward to a SECond slice conversation.
Let’s review.
> Which fan base should feel better about their elite skill set when the calendar flips to March? Hey, that’s a which way Wednesday, too.
Alabama’s pace and shooting acumen are extremely powerful, but when the shots are not falling — a major league concern when these tournaments move to the cavernous domes with odd sight lines — the ebbs and flows of the Tide defense are not impressive.
Tennessee’s determination and physicality are extremely powerful, but if they are not forcing turnovers and getting out in transition, the Vols are going one seven-plus-minute stretch without a field goal.
So, which one-sided juggernaut will dance the longest?
> Mike White had a really, Really REALLY good Tuesday. The Georgia coach led the Bulldogs to their first win over a top-5 foe in more than two decades with a win over Florida. Did I mention that Mike White got R-U-N-N-O-F-F from Florida? Did I also mention that the UGA win currently has the Bulldogs on the right side of the bubble? Yeah, that’s a pretty stout Tuesday.
> Will Kentucky get healthy in time to reconnect before the one-and-done craziness of March? If they can — and if they do — I think UK is a Final Four team.
> On the SEC Network, the talking heads were adamant that winning the SEC tournament is going to be tougher than winning the natty. Look, I believe it’s the best league since the mid-1980s Big East. But simple math refutes that claim. Auburn could win the SEC by winning three games in three days against familiar foes; to win it all, Auburn will have to win six games in three weeks against unknown opponents.
Could Auburn face “higher-ranked” teams in Nashville than in the Dance? Sure. You could be forced to beat three top-five teams to win the SEC.
Thoughts.
A smart compromise
OK, there was a ton of energy in the building last night as Georgia toppled Florida.
Sorry, JTC.
But the aftermath offered what could be/should be the future in court-storming.
Look, I’m against, even if it’s the height of hypocrisy. I stormed the floor at Auburn after the then-unranked Tigers toppled No. 2 Arkansas with Corliss Williamson and Co.
But the very nature of court-storming is not safe.
For the fans, the players, the refs or really anyone.
So as Georgia was closing in on the upset, the Dawgs’ AD got on the mic and begged the crowd to wait until the Florida players exited the court before celebrating.
Again, I think storming the court or the field in football is begging for a nasty scene when jacked college kids are celebrating right in front of extremely disappointed and emotional athletes.
It should be barred, but they have not been able to find a way to do that, so this appears to be the next step, and it’s a positive one.
Is it perfect? Nope.
Is it better? Absolutely.
Combine combinations
There will be a slew of storylines coming from Indy starting today, where the combine starts and ends Sunday.
We covered some of those early this week, and not all will be draft-related.
Cleveland said it won’t trade Myles Garrett. Side question: Which side says no on a WWW — Atlanta should offer to eat a chunk of Kirk Cousins’ contract and give up its 1 and 3 for Myles Garrett and defer a long-term contract for the former NFL DPoY and build around Michael Penix Jr.?
Baltimore says it’s troubled by the allegations against Justin Tucker. Troubled? I’d say, there are now 16 women claiming the All-Pro kicker of inappropriate sexual conduct.
There’s more.
Here are five familiar college players with a chance to make some serious coin this week.
› Jaxson Dart. Shedeur Sanders is not throwing. Cam Ward likely won’t either. Neither is an ideal 1-1 QB1. This time last year, who had Bo Nix in the top-12? Heck, I was not sure Bo would be top two rounds. Now he’s a franchise QB. Same could happen with Jaxson Dart, and that starts this week.
› James Pearce. The UT pass rusher — this is a ridiculous class of guys who can get to the QB — is going to run an eye-popping 40 time at north of 255 pounds. Book this dude in Round 1.
› Jihaad Campbell. There will be few folks who wow more at these underwear Olympics than Campbell, the former Alabama linebacker.
› Arian Smith. The Georgia wide receiver is going to stop the entire population within the bowels of Lucas Oil Stadium when he runs the 40. And the expected 4.2ish number will catapult Smith like it did with Xavier Worthy this time last year.
› LSU big people. Will Campbell is among the fastest risers before the combine as everyone would love a 10-year, every game tackle like Campbell on the roster. But watch for a couple his line mates, like Emery Jones and Miles Frazier, as well as edge rusher Sai’vion Jones and freakishly athletic TE Mason Taylor (Jason’s boy is 6-5, 250 and can move),
Today’s questions
› So we dropped a couple of podcasts Tuesday on the Southeastern16.com platform. Here’s a session with Chase and Chris breaking down half the football teams in the SEC, and what we think their make-or-break games will be this fall. Here’s one on SEC baseball. Good dudes. Good times. Appreciate you guys and gals giving it a listen.
› We will be live-streaming again this morning at 11:30 Eastern on a busy SEC baseball night, including the Vols staying perfect. Here’s more on UT from Paschall.
› So Luka dropped a triple double on the Mavs in his revenge game, part I last night. The most telling moments were two. First, the look on Dallas owner Mark Cuban’s face after Luka buried a 3 and TNT cut to him. It’s cloaked in regret. Second, the fact that Luka hugged every player and assistant coach on the Dallas bench; he did not even look at HC Jason Kidd.
› Sad news right here. One of the all-timers over the last decades — former Tyner coach Wayne Turner — has stage four cancer. TFP sports Editor Stephen Hargis handles it with his usual deft touch.
› Diana Taurasi is retiring from hoops. GOAT?
Today’s questions
On a Which Way Wednesday with a couple listed above, which player would you say is the female hoops GOAT if it’s not Taurasi?
› Which would you vote for for college PotY — Cooper Flagg or Johni Broome?
› Which word — family show — do you want me to work into the Southeastern16 podcast today?
As for today, Feb. 26, let’s review:
› Jackie Gleason would have been 109 today. Wow, what a career.
› Johnny Cash would have been 93 today.
› Rushmore of Johnny — gotta be Johnny — and have a little fun.