NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Southeastern Conference teams should have plenty to
boast about at their annual event to meet with media and discuss the upcoming
season.
Long derided for its lack of postseason success, the SEC responded last year by
sending three teams to regional finals, including Final Four participant South
Carolina.
Defending league champion Kentucky should garner much of the preseason
attention at this year’s Tipoff event. The Wildcats continues their annual
tradition of welcoming one of the nation’s most highly touted freshman classes.
Kentucky’s freshmen will help restock a roster that lost first-round draft picks
De’Aaron Fox, Marcus Monk and Bam Adebayo from last year’s team.
Kentucky isn’t the only SEC team with a heralded freshman class. Missouri,
which finished last in the SEC each of the past three years, has higher hopes
under new coach Cuonzo Martin thanks to a crop of newcomers that includes
Michael Porter Jr., regarded as the nation’s No. 1 prospect in the freshman
class.
South Carolina is coming off its first Final Four appearance but must replace
the nucleus of that team, including SEC player of the year Sindarius Thornwell.
The Gamecocks beat Florida in one regional final last year. Kentucky also
reached a regional final before losing to eventual national champion North
Carolina. Arkansas and Vanderbilt also are coming off NCAA Tournament
appearances.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI