Around The SEC West – 2/16/09

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We start this Monday by going around the SEC’s West Division:

Bama:  Whoever Bama’s next coach is, he’ll have to change the Tide’s collective mindset.

Bama:  If you’re hoping that Nick Saban will lure his old buddy Tom Izzo to Tuscaloosa from Michigan State, better not hold your breath.

Bama:  School officials aren’t discussing the Keiwone Malone issue raised by The Memphis Commercial-Appeal.

Aub:  Gene Chizik has put the finishing touches on his first coaching staff, the last of the SEC’s three new coaches to finish his staff.  Phillip Lolley, who coached AU’s defensive backs under Chizik in 2001-2002, has been brought out his administrative role with the school.  Former North Carolina assistant Tommy Thigpen has joined the staff and will also coach the secondary, along with Lolley.  Defensive coordinator Ted Roof will coach the linebackers.

Aub:  While it’s odd that Chizik has hired someone from a non-coaching position to join his staff, his previous work with Lolley apparently went a long way.  “I coached side-by-side with Phillip when I was defensive coordinator at Abuurn and it was very evident that he’s a great coach.”

Aub:  Trooper Taylor believes Gene Chizik is going to help him land a head coaching job in the future.  His title of assistant head coach “helps a bunch, because when Coach Chizik’s not around, I handle all the team meetings, addressing the team on different issues.”

Aub:  Roof said that his four-year head coaching tenure at Duke was frustrating, but it provided him with a wealth of good experience.

Ark:  The Razorbacks are finding it hard to win in the SEC.  Perhaps that’s because opposing teams’ stars continue to light them up.  Like Jodie Meeks’ 45 point outbreak on Saturday.

Ark:  According to Rob Keys of The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, it only took 57 games for some Hog fans to start calling for John Pelphrey’s head.  Actually, it only took about five weeks of conference play, ’cause Pelphrey was a hero when his young team toppled Texas and Oklahoma.  This is the way the game is played these days, but it sure makes tradition-rich Hog fans look silly.

Ark:  Pelphrey, who is having to replace seven key members from last year’s squad, isn’t backing down from the morons who are criticizing him.  “Tough times go away.  Tough people don’t.  We’ll be alright.  Arkansas is going to be here, and there are going to be some great things happen in the future.”

Ark:  The Razorback athletic department is getting some criticism for not being open about what exactly happened with Marcus Monk.

LSU:  Instead of folding when pushed by Ole Miss on Saturday, the 21-4 Tigers came to life and opened up a three-game lead in the West Division.

LSU:  Each year there’s a debate about how much the NCAA Tournament selection committee uses RPI as they choose and seed teams.  With a low RPI, Trent Johnson and crew had better hope that either a) they keep winning or b) the committee doesn’t use the formula as much as some folks think.

LSU:  Surely, finally, LSU will join the teams ranked in the AP Top 25.  Won’t they?

UM:  How did Ole Miss blow an eight-point lead in the final seven minutes against LSU on Saturday?  Missed free throws.

MSU:  He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.  Auburn knocked down 13 three-pointers… 13!… to really crush the Bulldogs’ tournament hopes on Saturday.

MSU:  The RPI is absolutely killing Rick Stansbury’s team.  Their non-conference opponents have all underperformed this year.

MSU:  One positive note — Barry Stewart became the 30th member of MSU’s 1000-point club.