SEC Football

1. Kentucky starting defensive tackle Donte Rumph injured in spring practice. Coach Mark Stoops: ”It looks like it’s a fairly significant injury. He may be out for a while, may require some surgery.” Injury leaves a big void.

2. Challenge for the Ole Miss defense - only Mississippi State gave up more yards per play last season among SEC bowl teams.

3. Former Southern Miss quarterback Anthony Alford working out at safety for Ole Miss. Expected to sit out this season due to transfer rules.

4. Billy Gonzales is the fourth wide receiver coach at Mississippi State in four years.  Wide receiver Jameon Lewis:  ”He’s got a different burst of energy that makes you go get it.” Bulldogs practice in pads for the first time Wednesday.

5. It’s all about tempo at Auburn.  New coach Gus Malzahn wants things faster:  ”The X’s and O’s will come, but the main thing is we have to learn how to practice.” Approach vastly different from Gene Chizik.

6. More Malzahn: “When I first got the job, it was evident we had some players with mental scars and all that…”

7. Bruce Feldman on Florida’s BCS championship odds: “At 25-1, the Gators are worth a long look.” (Also likes Texas A&M at 15-1).

8. Butch Jones, Nick Saban and the speaking wars of East Tennessee.

9. Saban on new Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal: “He brings some new ideas, that’s always welcome when you have new coaches join the staff…”

10. As an early enrollee in the class of 2009, no one has been a part of the Georgia program longer than Dallas Lee.

11. Some shuffling along the offensive line at Texas A&M.

12.  Arkansas fullback Kiero Small back to full strength after missing 11 games last season with a broken foot.

13. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel: ”I Twitter guys all the time now, and I didn’t even know what Twitter was” a few years ago.

14. Tony Barnhart: “The SEC West is the toughest division in the toughest college football conference in America. This is not debatable.”

SEC NFL Prospects

15. Thirty-one NFL teams on hand Wednesday at South Carolina’s pro day to watch Marcus Lattimore.  First time in Williams-Brice Stadium for Lattimore since knee injury last fall.

16. No players at South Carolina guaranteed to go in first two rounds of draft - Ace Sanders projected as fifth or sixth-round pick.

17. Tyrann Mathieu among the former players who participated in LSU’s pro day yesterday.

18. Will defensive end Barkevious Mingo’s low sack total last season scare away NFL teams?  Les Miles: ”If they don’t want him (in the NFL), we’ll take him back.”

19. AFC general manager on former Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel.  “Everything is perfect with him.”

20. Former Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner will meet with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns.

21. Former Auburn defensive end Corey Lemonier meets with the Atlanta Falcons, will meet with Tampa Bay soon.

22. Seven NFL coaches have visited Georgia in the past week.

SEC Basketball

23. Does a Willie Cauley-Stein tweet indicate the Kentucky freshman is leaning toward leaving for the NBA?

24.  Florida will bring a group of about 115 to Dallas for the NCAA Tournament.  NCAA pays the expenses for 75.  

25. Putting Alabama’s season in context - Tide picked to finish sixth – ended up tied for second. Suggestions on getting Alabama to play to its full potential.

26. How should Tennessee’s basketball program be judged? “In the context of the SEC, the Vols are barely middle of the pack.”

27. If Mike Anderson can take credit for Frank Haith’s players, Haith can take some credit for things at Miami, right?

28. Questions facing Mizzou next year include Haith’s NCAA case at Miami.

Extras

29. More questionable NCAA behavior in the Miami/Nevin Shapiro investigation. The University of Miami will submit motion to dismiss the case on Friday.

30. BCS “playoff group” receives bids from four cities – Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego.

31. Confused with realignment in college sports?  This graphic should help.

32. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo on his 13-year old son’s bracket.  “The damn kid picked Duke.”

33. Heads are rolling at the Sporting News.

34. More cash hungry states look to legalize sports betting. Polls show a growing acceptance among the public.

You either love Marshall Henderson or you hate him.  The junior guard for Mississippi’s basketball team taunts and trash talks.  He riles up fans and then flips them indecent hand gestures.  Then he reconciles it all by telling us, “Hey, it’s just a game.”

Hipster-targeting ESPNU proves that there’s an additional love/hate line for Henderson aside from the obvious “fan of Ole Miss” / “fan of some other team” line.  There’s also a generational component.  The more kids grow up seeing self-congratulating preeners like Terrell Owens become stars, the more likely a new generation of hot dogs — like Henderson — will be accepted.

Thus ESPNU’s video tribute to the guy who never met a shot he didn’t like:

Henderson is not this particular writer’s cup of tea.  I look at his classless displays on the court and think “White Trash.”  Perhaps “White Brash” would be more fitting.

But what if Henderson weren’t white at all?  Deadspin.com dares to ask the question today: What if Henderson were black? 

Greg Howard points out in his article that the same semester Andy Kennedy welcomed Henderson into the Rebel fold, he dismissed Dundrecous Nelson and Jamal Jones from his team after they were busted smoking weed and in the possession of “drug paraphernalia.”  As you surely know by now, Henderson was once busted for trying to buy pot with counterfeit money.  Then he violated the terms of his probation by testing positive for alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine and spent some time in the pokey.

Nelson and Jones are black.  Henderson is white.

Now, in fairness to Kennedy, one of college athletics’ oldest double-standards is the fact that Player X can be arrested somewhere else and turn to State U for a fresh start… while Player Y will be booted from State U for committing the exact same crime as Player X.

“Screw up on another team, we’ll say you learned your lesson.  Screw up on my team, you’re gone.”

Now, while this writer feels there’s probably something to Howard’s argument that Henderson would have been treated differently by coaches and the media had he been black, I believe there’s a bigger issue to discuss.  I wonder if Henderson would have been accepted just the same by Ole Miss fans and white fans everywhere had he been born black.

Read the rest of this entry »

When Ole Miss lost to LaSalle on Sunday night and exited the NCAA Tournament in the second round (it’s not the “third round,” NCAA), Marshall Henderson reacted just as you’d probably expect — by throwing a tantrum.

As the video below shows, first, he kicked a box of Powerade bottles across the floor.  He’s probably not the first basketball player to kick drinks, but he appears to be the only one who did so after Sunday’s game.

Then he threw up a pair of middle fingers at fans in the stands.  An Ole Miss aide rushed to his side and knocked his hands down, trying to cover the dual birds.  Asked about the issue, Henderson said, “When someone yells, ‘Your sister’s a whore, you (expletive) coke head, at at time like that, I’m always the one to react.”  (Booing is heard on the video, but short of some Gene Hackman work a la “The Conversation,” it’s impossible to make out individual yells from the stands.)

This is hardly new stuff for the controversial, emotional, combustible hero of the Magnolia State.  Fans should probably get ready for another year of his taunts and celebrations, too.  As we told you yesterday, his draft stock is nowhere near the NBA first-round level.  And as we told you in this morning’s headlines, CBSSports.com’s Gregg Doyel said an Ole Miss source told him Henderson is a 99% lock to return to Oxford for his senior season.

Doyel also suggests that Henderson could be the face of college basketball next year.  With added media scrutiny, added pressure to carry his team with Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner gone, and added attention from opponents, one must wonder if Henderson becoming the face of the sport is a good thing for the sport.  Or for Ole Miss.  Or for Henderson.

SEC Basketball

1. Video has surfaced of Marshall Henderson flipping off the crowd following Ole Miss’ loss on Sunday.

2. It’s “99 percent certain” Henderson will return to Ole Miss next season, a source told CBSSports.com.

3. Alabama’s Levi Randolph has become more aggressive during the NIT.

4. Florida will need to continue to improve its free throw shooting in the NCAA tournament.

5. Everyone – Florida included – is getting to know Florida Gulf Coast, the Gators’ upcoming opponent.

SEC Football

6. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin discussed Johnny Manziel’s reported shove of a graduate assistant.

7. Alabama is looking for the five best offensive linemen to start this fall.

8. Auburn’s new coaching staff is focused on developing players for the 2013 season.

9. The Tigers need to make pass protection a top priority during spring practice.

10. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema is using spring practice – not film – to evaluate his players’ abilities.

11. LSU running back Alfred Blue is recovering from knee surgery and waiting for a chance to compete for playing time.

12. Senior quarterback Tyler Russell will have more input on Mississippi State’s offense this year.

13. Ole Miss’ defense won the day during Monday’s spring practice session.

14. Georgia will have its first spring scrimmage this afternoon. The first scrimmage had been scheduled last Saturday.

15. Georgia’s Malcolm Mitchell expects to “make a jump” now that he’s focused on playing wide receiver.

16. Kentucky running back Josh Clemons feels healthy again after missing all of the 2012 season.

17. Kentucky’s new “Air Raid” offense needs more help at wide receiver.

18. Tennessee’s new running backs coach Robert Gillespie will make $300,000 this season.

19. Vanderbilt expects to have a deeper and stronger defensive line this fall.

20. Tony Barhart of CBSSports.com takes a look at the SEC East.

Extras

21. Which SEC player has the best chance to win the Heisman Trophy, according to Athlon? Hint: It isn’t Manziel.

22. Here’s a preview of the South Region as four team remain with a shot at reaching the Final Four.

23. Could former Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray be a steal in next month’s NFL draft?

24. Myron Medcalf reseeded the NCAA tournament with 16 teams remaining.

25. Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports understands why Minnesota and UCLA fired their basketball coaches.

Controversial Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson says he wants to be a leader for Andy Kennedy’s team if he returns to Oxford next season.  The SEC’s top scorer this past season spoke of his plans after the Rebels’ 76-74 loss to LaSalle in the NCAA Tournament last night:

“I want to be a leader, but who am I to tell someone to do something after the problems I’ve caused.  It’s time for me to take the next step in my leadership especially being an Ole Miss senior next year…

(But with regards to the NBA) I don’t know.  I haven’t explored any options.  I don’t even know it that’s legal.  It’s a crazy world out there.  You never know what might happen.  I’m tired of going to school.”

The NBA draft-centric website DraftExpress.com ranks Henderson as just the 58th best junior prospect in the country.  With that kind of number, it’s doubtful he would sniff the first-round of this summer’s draft and only first-rounders receive guaranteed contracts.

Mississippi’s big men in the middle — Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner — were seniors this past season.  Ditto guard Nick Williams.  So if Henderson returns for his own senior season, the Rebels will be much more of his team.  There’s no question UM needs his talent back on the floor next year.  But the team chemistry that worked so well this year will definitely need to be watched moving forward… if Henderson returns.

SEC Basketball

1. Will Florida gain confidence from closing out Minnesota in Sunday’s round of 32 matchup?

2. After being benched on Friday, Gators guard Mike Rosario provided a lift against Minnesota.

3. Florida’s next opponent, No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast, won’t be intimidated in the next round.

4. FGCU has beaten two No. 2 seeds this year (Georgetown and Miami). Miami says Florida’s next opponent isn’t a fluke.

5. It was a shot in the final seconds that allowed La Salle to end Ole Miss’ season.

6. One Missouri player believed the Tigers would compete for a national title. They fell well short.

7. Don’t blame coach Frank Haith for all of Missouri’s struggles, writes Bryan Burwell.

8. Popular Kentucky fan Ashley Judd is pulling for Louisville in the NCAA tournament. How will UK fans react?

9. Is Tennessee’s basketball program better after Cuonzo Martin’s second year? It’s a fair debate, writes Mike Strange.

SEC Football

10.  Alabama left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio has built a strong relationship with the Crimson Tide’s new center.

11. Here’s a preview of Auburn’s special teams as the Tigers prepare for spring practice.

12. Mississippi State’s wide receivers are impressing during spring practice.

13. Wesley Tate (Golden Tate’s brother) is vying for Vanderbilt’s starting running back position.

Extras

14. Florida Gulf Coast is the biggest story in all of sports, writes Gary Parrish.

15. UCLA has officially fired basketball coach Ben Howland. What’s next for the Bruins?

16. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel gave Ole Miss’ Henderson some advice before the Rebels’ loss on Sunday.

17. Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo! Sports has the best and worst of the first NCAA tournament weekend.

SEC In The NCAA Tournament… Sunday results
Florida advances to Sweet 16 with 78 to 64 victory over Minnesota…
Ole Miss lost to LaSalle 76 to 74
Alabama 66, Stanford 54 in Saturday NIT Action
Three Alabama reserves are no longer on the Crimson Tide football team as Nick Saban whittles his roster down to the 85-man scholarship limit
Harvey Updyke – the Toomers Oaks poisoner – was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday.
Georgia QB Aaron Murray reported for spring practice eight pounds lighter than he weighed last season
Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork has been given a raise and a contract extension after his first year on the job
Ole Miss will spend $6 million on architects to design a new 10,000-seat basketball arena to replace the Tad Smith Coliseum
Follow SEC News everyday at MrSEC.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/mrsec

SEC Basketball

1. Florida knows it will have to be physical today when it takes on No. 11 seed Minnesota.

2. Florida guard Mike Rosario says he understands why he was benched against Northwestern State on Friday.

3. Florida can look at Florida Gulf-Coast’s win over Georgetown to know anybody can beaten in the tournament.

4. Ole Miss will likely get the ball to forward Reginald Buckner early and often against La Salle.

5. Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork discussed the Marshall Henderson impact on and off the court.

6. Video: See and hear some thoughts from La Salle players on facing Henderson and Ole Miss.

7. Alabama defeated Stanford 66-54 in the second round of the NIT.

8. Will Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell and guard BJ Young return next year? Coach Mike Anderson wouldn’t speculate.

9. Anderson expects bigger and better things for the Razorbacks next season.

10. Former Wildcat Sean Woods called Kentucky’s struggles back in November.

11. It took time for Tennessee to learn to play without Jeronne Maymon, the Vols’ best player who missed the entire season.

SEC Football

12. Mal Moore was the “athletic trinity” at Alabama, writes Don Kausler Jr.

13. Alabama left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio’s spring break: “I’m going back to Maryland to train.”

14. Take a closer look at Auburn’s safeties as the Tigers prepare for spring practice.

15. Les Miles appears pleased with the impact of new LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

16. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel got into it with a defensive GA during Saturday’s scrimmage.

17. Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo believes it’s a good thing Aaron Murray has sought outside help.

18. Who’s standing out on Georgia’s defense? Seth Emerson takes a look.

19. Two Chattanooga, Tenn., area players are working to earn more playing time at Georgia.

20. Kentucky football has a “new kind of energy” thanks to its coaching staff, writes John Clay.

21. RB Mike Davis and WR Shamier Jeffery are working to land expanded roles in South Carolina’s offense.

Extras

22. Here are five things to watch during Sunday’s NCAA tournament action.

23. Is Bill Battle making enough as Alabama’s AD? Is Jay Jacobs making too much at Auburn? Kevin Scarbinsky examines.

24. UCLA says it hasn’t fired basketball coach Ben Howland. But the end appears near, according to CBSSports.com.

SEC In The NCAA Tournament…
Ole Miss will play LaSalle Sunday….Florida plays Minnesota
Alabama 66, Stanford 54 in Saturday NIT Action
Three Alabama reserves are no longer on the Crimson Tide football team as Nick Saban whittles his roster down to the 85-man scholarship limit
Harvey Updyke – the Toomers Oaks poisoner – was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday.
Georgia QB Aaron Murray reported for spring practice eight pounds lighter than he weighed last season
Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork has been given a raise and a contract extension after his first year on the job
Ole Miss will spend $6 million on architects to design a new 10,000-seat basketball arena to replace the Tad Smith Coliseum
Follow SEC News everyday at MrSEC.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/mrsec

SEC Basketball

1. Defense and a late Marshall Henderson surge helped Ole Miss beat Wisconsin 57-46.

2. Ole Miss forward Reginald Buckner’s line: Nine points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. “It was one of my best.”

3. Henderson got into a twitter battle with a fake Ryan Harrow account.

4. Florida’s defense smothered Northwestern State in the second half of a 79-47 win.

5. Friday was a day of upsets, but not in Austin. The Gators avoided any potential embarrassment.

6. Florida will meet Minnesota and former SEC coach Tubby Smith on Sunday.

7. Alabama coach Anthony Grant saluted Mal Moore and welcomed new athletic director Bill Battle.

8. Andrew Steele’s season is officially over. He had ankle surgery on Wednesday.

9. What happened to college basketball in Louisiana? Jeff Duncan examines.

SEC Football

10. Harvey Updyke – the Toomers Oaks poisoner – was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday.

11. Radio host Paul Finebaum on Updyke: “For everyone’s sake, I’m just glad this is finally over.”

12. Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison is filling a leadership role for the Gators.

13. Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com was in Knoxville to write about Butch Jones’ challenge at Tennessee.

14. Take a look at Alabama’s defensive backs in the Crimson Tide’s latest practice.

15. Running back Brandon Williams will be the next breakout star for Texas A&M, writes Barrett Sallee.

16. Nose tackle John Jenkins weighed 370 pounds when he played for Georgia last season.

17. Linebacker Avery Williamson is working to learn another defense at Kentucky.

18. Kentucky fans seem excited about football as they continue to buy spring game tickets.

19. Former Vanderbilt QB Jordan Rodgers has tried to show NFL teams he can throw the ball downfield.

20. Sophomore Evan Boehm’s move to center is close to being permanent for Missouri.

Extras

21. Western Kentucky almost made history Friday night but fell to No. 1 seed Kansas.

22. The Big East has two teams remaining in the NCAA tournament, only one more than the SEC.

23. Interesting story in the L.A. Times on UCLA star Shabazz Muhammad. Read how Muhammad’s father turned him into a star.