SEC West Headlines – 12/17/09
December 17th, 2009 ║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss
1. In 43 previous meetings between the AP’s #1 and #2 teams, the top-ranked team has won 58% of the time. Ah, so Alabama’s a lock against Texas.
2. In basketball news, Samford tried to slow things down, but Alabama won 60-45 in front of a small crowd last night.
3. Anthony Grant thought his team “did a very good job defensively and that was our focus.”
4. The Auburn football team put on the pads yesterday to shake off the rust from a two-week break.
5. Auburn will be facing a very big Florida State team tonight in Tallahassee.
6. Here’s a preview of tonight’s game between the Tigers and the Seminoles.
7. Tay Waller is still trying to work himself back into game shape.
8. Arkansas tight end DJ Williams is going to get an NFL evaluation of his draft stock.
9. Ryan Mallett doesn’t believe there will be an adjustment period as UA transitions from one offensive coordinator to another.
10. In basketball news, Rotnei Clarke didn’t play last night (due to tendonitits in his left knee), but the Hogs still blasted Alabama State 76-51.
11. Arkansas — due to injuries and suspensions — had just eight scholarship players available last night.
12. Whether the photos of Arkansas basketball players in a magazine were used out of context or not, an NCAA rule was violated.
13. New assistants Frank Wilson and Billy Gonzalez still can’t help with practice or bowl preps as long as Larry Porter continues to help the Tigers. Odd, odd situation.
14. Les Miles is making the case that he’ll have 10 coaches on staff (with Porter), but only nine will be working at a particular time. (And the NCAA will police that how?)
15. Miles is singing the praises of Penn State this week.
16. He also says his team is rising above the disappointment of its loss to Ole Miss.
17. In basketball news, LSU will host Nicholls State tonight.
18. Forward Dennis Harris is healthy enough to play, but that doesn’t mean he will.
19. Point guard Chris Bass has seen a big jump in his playing time this season.
20. Ole Miss has nine Texas players on its roster who’ll be returning home for the Cotton Bowl.
21. In basketball news, UM had to come back from 12 down with 5:30 to play to knock off UTEP 91-81 in overtime.
22. Andy Kennedy said of his team, “One thing I can say about our guys with absolute certainty is that this team never panics.”
23. It was an improbable comeback for the Rebels.
24. Barry Stewart led Mississippi State past Wright State 80-69 last night.
25. Freshman big man John Riek finally made his Bulldog debut with just 27 seconds left in the game.
26. Meanwhile, the NCAA has requested more interviews with the family of Renardo Sidney.
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