Which team seems likeliest to challenge the Kentucky-Florida stranglehold on the SEC? Jay Bilas and Jeff Goodman provide their answers.
Jeff Goodman: As for this season and beyond, I'll go with LSU because the Tigers have and will continue to possess high-level talent. Coach Johnny Jones has a couple of future pros up front in Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin. Mickey is effective on the interior -- especially on defense -- and Martin is long and skilled. They make a great tandem, even with the loss of Johnny O'Bryant early to the NBA. The key, though, will be the play of junior college transfer Josh Gray at point guard. Gray is talented and can make plays for himself and his teammates, but he needs to play under control. Add in Keith Hornsby (Bruce Hornsby's kid), who can shoot and is athletic enough to play in the SEC -- and it's a group that can certainly play with everyone else in the conference, certainly with Kentucky and Florida on certain nights.
The question is whether the Tigers will be disciplined enough and consistent enough.