Stock Report: SEC Basketball

It is difficult to look at the prospects of SEC basketball programs and find those destined for failure. Every school has its reasons to be excited about the future, but some are better bets than others. I am going to list which school's futures I would invest in, in reverse order, to help get an idea of what the future might hold for each SEC program. Today, we will look into the crystal ball and at the bottom half of the SEC futures.

12. Georgia

I can't recommend the Bulldogs just yet, even though they hired a coach with a record of winning in former Nevada coach Mark Fox. The talent level in the state of Georgia gives the Bulldogs a great recruiting base, similar to the one Billy Donovan inherited at another SEC Football powerhouse. The question I have is, can Fox stave off every other coach in the country and keep top talent in-state? Georgia has always been able to pull in a couple of top players, but rarely fields a team chock full of talent. I am not sure if they can be anything more than a team composed of a couple questionable characters with talent surrounded by random and nonathletic white guys like Dave Bliss.

11. Auburn

I like Jeff Lebo, and the Tigers have a state of the art basketball facility on the way for 2010. I just don't understand how either are going to cause Auburn fans to notice. By the time 2010 rolls around the Tiger faithful will be more interested in who their new football coach will be than anything to do with their basketball program. That isn't going to cut it in the new SEC.

10. South Carolina

The Gamecocks feel like a team that is going to dominate the NIT for years to come. Darrin Horn is a good in-game coach, but seems like the intense type that could run off players and let his competitive nature talk himself into questionable character talent (Kinda like that Gillispie guy). I am a little skeptical of a coach that is three times more enthusiastic than Dwight Perry on a sugar rush. Horn reminds me a little of Quinn Snyder and that isn't a good thing for the Cocks.

9. Ole Miss

Andy Kennedy is a very good coach if you can keep him away from middle-aged taxi cab drivers. He has some talent for the upcoming season, even a potential first round pick in Terrico White, who could help elevate the Rebel program. I just don't see Ole Miss being anything more than a team that makes the Sweet Sixteen every couple years. That would be a great accomplishment for this program, but that seemingly short ceiling keeps them from being higher on this list.

8. Mississippi State

Mississippi State is the favorite for second place in the SEC this season. I am just not comfortable recommending these Bulldogs down the road though. I can't see them landing top recruits that don't have big question marks surrounding them. They have done pretty well for themselves in recent years, but I just can't see a top program residing in Starkville, Miss.

7. Arkansas

I put them here because they have a little more upside than the other programs. They probably have the second most rabid fan base in the SEC which means something to a Wildcat fan. I can still remember the Hogs of the 90's being a worthy adversary, and wouldn't mind them getting back to that level. The talent is there for a run this season. Arkansas is a sleeping giant, and it will only take one good season to awaken them. The biggest question mark is their Coach. Is he ready for the big time, or should he go back to Billy D's comforting teet? If Pelphry can handle the pressure he has a chance to take the Razorbacks up this list and be a perennial top 25 team.