Around The SEC West – 1/20/09

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Here’s the news from the SEC West… and it looks like everyone’s taking a little time off to watch the inauguration today:

MSU:  The development of State’s bench is a very positive sign for Rick Stansbury’s team.

MSU:  Tomorrow’s game at LSU will either keep the Bulldogs undefeated an atop the SEC West… or drop them into a first-place tie with the Tigers.  Big game early.

UM:  Terrico White has been named the SEC’s Freshman of the Week after averaging 20 points per game last week.

LSU:  Trent Johnson is impressed with Rick Stansbury’s ability to switch his team from a bruising squad in year’s past to a four-guard attack this year.  “He’s good.  For them to change the way they play and adjust to their talent speaks volumes.”

Ark:  With freshman Brandon Moore suspended for a DWI, fellow freshman Andre Clark has a chance to step up.  “This could change his life; it could change his career,” said John Pelphrey.  He then added, “I don’t want to put pressure on him, but maybe this is the week the light switch comes on a little bit.”

Ark:  Pelphrey didn’t work his team extra hard after their loss at Florida on Saturday.  Instead, he talked to them.  “I wanted to try to explain kind of where we are, the things we’re looking for, and just make sure we all understood we’re on the same page in terms of what we’re trying to get done.”

AU:  Tiger fans probably won’t be too happy to hear that former running backs coach Eddie Gran (now at Tennessee) has contacted an Auburn commitment.  This is not usually considered kosher, but when a coach is fired (as Gran was), it’s silly to expect him to be loyal to the school doing the firing.  You can check out ALL the recruiting news from the league on our Recruiting page.

Bama:  Nick Saban has already found a replacment for linebackers coach Lance Thompson — Carolina Panthers’ assistant Sal Sunseri.  Sunseri was Saban’s linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for a year at LSU.

Bama:  Saban has also hired a player personnel director who has served as Central Florida’s recruiting coordinator. 

Bama:  Saban doesn’t sound too worried about losing two of his better recruits.  “The guy that sells you the car may not be as important as the car itself.  We want to have a Mercedes at our place, and that’s the way it is.”

Bama:  Former Tide player and coach Mike Shula was back in Alabama yesterday and talked about his 2006 firing for the first time.  “We were told to move on, and we’ve moved on.”

Bama:  Oft-injured guard Ronald Steele was scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews about his injured heel yesterday.

Bama:  Paul Finebaum writes that even if Steele returns to health, it’s still time for Mark Gottfried to go at the end of the season.