1. Ryan Kelly’s practice opportunity in December is helping him battle for Alabama’s starting center job.

2. Justin Garrett is standing out at Auburn’s star position. “He’s everywhere,” cornerback Josh Holsey said.

3. Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee says he can count on junior receiver Jaylon Denson.

4. Former Auburn star Bo Jackson isn’t worried about recent allegations made against the Tigers.

5. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was just glad he didn’t bounce his first pitch at the Texas Rangers game.

6. Ole Miss returns to the practice field Monday morning. There are still depth questions on offense.

7. Florida’s football offense will enter the summer still looking to prove its doubters wrong.

8. Still, the Gators’ defense could be dominant again. And sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison could be the anchor.

9. Sophomore linebacker James DeLoach is working to earn a starting spot on Georgia’s defense.

10. There will be plenty of questions about Georgia’s offensive line heading into the fall.

11. Tennessee coach Butch Jones expects to see more out of the Vols’ tailbacks.

12. Missouri won’t mess with quarterback Maty Mauk’s delivery as he battles for the starting position.

13. Nick Saban is clearly the SEC’s best coach, according to this list. How about the rest?

Extras

14. Must watch video: See what Nebraska did to help a 7-year-old cancer patient on Saturday.

15. A lot has changed since Rick Pitino became Kentucky’s coach in 1989. But Louisville’s coach can still do that – coach.

16. Michigan players have thought about their mark on the school’s history as they try to win a national championship.

17. Tonight’s game between Louisville and Michigan should be an entertaining one, writes Gary Parrish.

18. LSU coach Les Miles will be the Yahoo! Sports Bracket Challenge winner if Louisville beats Michigan.

Auburn Allegations

1. Asked about allegations surrounding the program, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn defers to the school’s administration.  Phone records obtained Friday showed he made more than 90 calls to Dakota Mosley’s father.  Malzahn told ESPN he met with Mosley regarding depression.

2. Kevin Scarbinsky on Auburn’s rapid response efforts: “Make no mistake. Auburn is on trial here…”

3. Matt Hayes on Auburn’s troubles: “The guy charged with fixing it all, new coach Gus Malzahn, was knee-deep in the process little more than a year ago.”

4. Florida coach Will Muschamp has nothing to add to a previous denial he paid an Auburn player when he was defensive coordinator:  ”There’s nothing to dignify any other response other than exactly what you’ve read.”

SEC Football

5. Rehab on the shoulder of Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace going well, could start throwing in June.  But the Rebels have missed him this spring.

6. Both Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace threw more than 20 passes in Auburn’s Saturday scrimmage.  Malzahn:  ”It is really hard to look good in a scrimmage until you start settling in with specific personnel.” Undisclosed injury for running back Tre Mason. Tigers cancel Monday’s practice. 

7. Not much separation in the quarterback battle at Tennessee between Justin Worley and Nathan Peterman. Coach Butch Jones “not pleased at all” with the offense.  “An offense seemingly bereft of playmakers struggled.”

8. In the quarterback battle at Arkansas, coach Bret Bielema says Brandon Allen took a step ahead of Brandon Mitchell.

9. Razorbacks running back Jonathan Williams the star of the scrimmage.

10. In a three-way quarterback battle at Missouri, is redshirt freshman Matty Mauk emerging from the pack?

10. Encouraging signs for Mizzou running back Henry Josey, coming back from a brutal knee injury.  Coach Gary Pinkel: “People have no idea what this guy had to do,”

11. Running back Mike Davis impressive at South Carolina’s scrimmage on Saturday.

12. With the spring game done and just a few practices left, time to ask some unresolved questions and throw out some possible answers surrounding the Georgia Bulldogs.

13. Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo: “We are nowhere where we need to be offensively.”

14. Florida freshman running back Kelvin Taylor one of the stars of the Gators spring game.  Will Muschamp:  “Kelvin’s got a really strong lower body. He runs through contact extremely well.”

15. One of the stars of Alabama’s first spring scrimmage – wide receiver DeAndrew White.  He’s one of three Bama receivers coming off injuries in 2012.  Nick Saban: “DeAndrew White is doing really well – did a really good job, made some big plays today, actually.”

16. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins on the Bulldogs first scrimmage: “I went through every call that we have on defense. The one defense executed every call.”

17. Kentucky’s offense dominates in Saturday’s scrimmage.  Coach Mark Stoops: ”It wasn’t even close today.”

Extras

18. Phil Steele projects the AP Top 26 – six of the top 12 in the SEC.

19. Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning giving $500,000 to the Pat Summitt Foundation.

20. The New York Times on former Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice: “Interviews and documents reveal a culture in which the university was far more concerned with protecting itself from legal action than with protecting its students from an abusive coach.”

21. Louisville basketball has to stop selling a t-shirt – “use of logo” issue.

22. Former NBA coach Phil Jackson was live-tweeting the Final Four.

24. Eddie Einhorn paid the NCAA $6,000 to broadcast the 1961 championship game between Ohio State and Cincinnati.  Couldn’t find a station outside of Ohio or Kentucky willing to broadcast it.

1. Alabama right guard Anthony Steen is trying to develop into a leader for the Crimson Tide.

2. Alabama returned to practice Monday following spring break. It wasn’t a great practice.

3. Andrew Gribble and Don Kausler discuss Alabama’s return to practice following spring break.

4. Auburn’s LaDarius Owens is feeling more comfortable now that he’s playing linebacker again.

5. Justin Garrett is more comfortable, too. He’s playing the “Star” position for Auburn.

6. Those comments about Nick Saban? Arkansas coach Bret Bielema says they were only a joke.

7. Columnist Kevin Scarbinsky reminds Bielema he’s not in the Big Ten anymore.

8. Florida has plenty of competition at running back as the Gators try to replace Mike Gillislee.

9. Florida’s basketball team is losing key contributors but returning guard Scottie Wilbekin believes the Gators will be deep.

10. One key player in that depth could be center Patric Young, who hasn’t decided if he will return for his senior year.

11. The return of linebacker D.T. Shackelford has provided a big boost for the Ole Miss defense.

12. Here some notes following Ole Miss’ Monday night practice.

13. Mississippi State finalized its 2014 non-conference schedule by adding Tennessee-Martin.

14. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel will throw out the first pitch at Sunday’s Texas Rangers game.

15. Chris Conley’s presence should help Georgia replace some departing wide receivers.

16. Center Willie Cauley-Stein will return to Kentucky. ESPN’s Chad Ford believes forward Alex Poythress should return, too.

17. Tennessee’s maturity will be tested as it returns to football practice following spring practice.

Extras

18. The Pac-12′s head of officials has been investigated for comments he made about Arizona coach Sean Miller.

19. That head of official, Ed Rush, must be fired, writes Gary Parrish.

20. Southern California has hired coach Andy Enfield away from Florida Gulf Coast.

21. Former Georgia, Kentucky and Minnesota coach Tubby Smith has been hired at Texas Tech.

For the third straight year, the Florida Gators are playing in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.  The last two years, this is where the Gators’ season ended.  First to Butler, then to Louisville – two losses by a combined seven points.  Today, they are matched up against a  Michigan team with an identical record, 29-7.  Today’s game on CBS is scheduled for 2:10 Eastern Time.

1. Since the NCAA expanded the tournament beyond 16 teams, there has never been a team that’s lost three straight regional finals.

2. Florida is the more experienced team.  Gators start three seniors, Wolverines start three freshmen.

3. The Gators’ senior class is 9-4 in NCAA Tournament games.

4. Florida coach Billy Donovan on a Michigan team that averages 75.4 points per game. “Clearly from an offensive efficiency standpoint, they may be the best in the country.”

5. Top offense against a great defense.  Florida center Patric Young on Michigan guard Trey Burke - who scored 23 points in the second half and overtime against Kansas. “I consider myself one of the top pick-and-roll defenders in the country. We’ll have to be even better because Trey Burke is extraordinary.”

Florida 62 – Florida Gulf Coast 50

1. Gators win despite shooting just 38.6% from the floor.  Florida defense forces 20 turnovers.  Senior guard Kenny Boynton: “To be in the final eight says a lot, but we don’t want to settle here.”

2. Game-high 15 points from Mike Rosario.  Coach Billy Donovan:  “I’m happy for Mike Rosario, (Kenny) Boynton and Erik Murphy. But I’m proud of what they’ve been able to do up to this point in time and they’ve gotten better.”

3. “This Gators squad isn’t as talented as the back-to-back national champs Billy Donovan coached in 2006 and 2007… but it can beat any of the remaining teams in this tournament.”

4. Quick turnaround for Florida from late Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Will play Michigan for the right to go to the Final Four.

1. South Carolina’s Bruce Ellington says he will again play both football and basketball next season for the third straight year.  Ellington is South Carolina’s leading returning receiver.

2. Martavius Newby was a freshman guard on the Ole Miss basketball team – he’s now working out with the football team as a linebacker.

3. Injuries along the offensive line have Ole Miss running out of bodies. Depth will increase this fall.

4. Tennessee offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James on the group’s potential: “I feel like we definitely have the talent and capability to have the best offensive line, really, in the country.”

5. Vanderbilt lost only one starter on its offensive line. Coach James Franklin’s like the group’s depth.

6. Kentucky’s Alvin “Bud” Dupree started at linebacker all 12 games last year but he’s moving to defensive end for new defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot: ”I had recruited Bud when I was at Florida State,”

7. Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin on new defensive line coach Brad Lawing - who came to the Gators from South Carolina: “He brings a wealth of knowledge of the position, a wealth of knowledge and experience. He’s a great staff guy, a great guy to work with.

8. LSU coach Les Miles on Thursday’s scrimmage: ”The offense is much improved. It’s just that they’re shooting themselves in the foot. ”

9. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix on competition in the Alabama secondary: “When there’s someone trying to outplay you, it helps you go even better, even harder, even faster, when you have someone as good as you next to you.”

10. Auburn Robenson Therezie thinks he’s faster than former Tigers running back Onterio McCalebb. ”We never did (race) but I believe I could beat him probably by a foot.” The defensive back could see some time on offense. Update: Robenson should check with his coaches next time - Right now, he’s 100 percent defense.”

11. 17 Auburn players gained weight in the offseason – 12 of them are a little lighter. What’s Auburn’s first unit on defense looked like today.

12. Georgia coach Mark Richt says running back Todd Gurley looks trimmer but he’s actually gained six pounds. ”I feel like the best I’ve felt in a while.”

13. 22 wins later, assessing Georgia’s “Dream Team” class of 2011.  “The Dream Teamt has done what it came here to do.”

14. Arkansas defensive coordinator Chris Ash: “We’ve got some very talented players. We’ve got some deficiencies at some spots, too.”

15. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin on Nate Askew’s adjustment from wide receiver to linebacker:“The great thing about it has been his attitude.”

16. The price of fame for Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel – even a trip to the grocery store is no longer simple.  “Twenty pictures later it was 11 at night.”

NFL Prospects

17. Is Mississippi State defensive back Johnthan Banks slipping in mock drafts?

18. Former Alabama running back Eddie Lacy will run for pro teams on April 11th in Tuscaloosa.

SEC Basketball

19. It’s Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast tonight.  That enormous scoreboard at Cowboys Stadium?  It’s longer than the court.

20. Key player to watch?  Keep your eye on FGCU point guard Brett Comer.

21. Florida stayed in Texas after winning in Austin last weekend.  FGCU flew back to Fort Myers from Philadelphia. FGCU coach Andy Enfield: “It took us a day and a half to recover mentally and physically.”

22. Kevin Scarbinsky on how to reinvigorate college basketball in the state of Alabama. Could  the Auburn-Alabama game be played the night before the Iron Bowl?

23. With BJ Young moving on to the NBA, Arkansas has an available scholarship to fill.

24. Ex-Kentucky and now ex-Minnesota coach Tubby Smith could be headed to Texas Tech.

25. As Smith demonstrates, making the NCAA Tournament is sometimes not good enough for a coach.

Extra

26. Oops. Southeastern Lousiana says 137 ineligible athletes competed for the school between 2005 and 2010.

Kids will be kids, right?

During a Tuesday pep rally for the Florida Gulf Coast basketball team, a group of students showed their support for the Eagles by cursing the team they’ll face tomorrow in the NCAA Tournament.  Literally.

“(Expletive) the Gators” was chanted by some of those in attendance and the chant was picked up by ESPN microphones.  The network inadvertently wound up broadcasting the foulmouthed chant live to Americans everywhere.

Yesterday, the FGCU student body — probably the school’s PR wing — put out a statement apologizing for the anti-Florida chant:

“In no manner do the words that were passed yesterday reflect upon this institution of higher education.  Oftentimes, excitement and a new experience can cause rash and hasty decisions to be made.  In this moment of excitement for our young school, we hope that you will accept our expression of regret.  With that being said, we are definitely looking forward to some healthy competition in Arlington, this Friday.”

The appropriately named Steve Orlando — Florida’s senior director of media relations — said “they’ve apologized, and as far as we’re concerned, it’s over.”

Question is… Will the crowd in Arlington take up the chant during tomorrow night’s game?  FGCU is the Cinderella of the tournament and it’s guaranteed all the non-Florida fans in the building will be backing the upstart.

But who knew Cinderella had such a dirty mouth?

SEC Football

1. Spring practice underway at Auburn. Tigers lack numbers at several positions, including quarterback. Coach Gus Malzahn: “The good thing is that they’re going to get a lot of reps.”

2. Observations from practice No. 1 - ”The Tigers are already working on the hurry-up, no-huddle, gone-in-sixty-seconds formations.”

3. Auburn safety Erique Florence no longer on the team. ” He’s taking care of some personal issues, and we wish him the best.”

4. He’s not the only one leaving.  “Blake Burgess will no longer be with the team.” Used as a fullback last year.

5. Since Arkansas coach Bret Bielema is not a “quarterback-by-committee guy,” either Brandon Mitchell or Brandon Allen will emerge as a clear winner in the QB battle.

6. Proposed rendering for the expansion and renovation of Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium .

7. South Carolina redshirt freshman T.J. Holloman is impressing at a position the Gamecocks need help this fall – linebacker.

8. Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason on defensive end Ray Drew: “From what I noticed, Ray Drew was really unblockable today.”

9. With Aaron Murray away for a banquet, Mason takes snaps with first-team offense,

10. Jay Graham will make $275,000 at Florida State.  His replacement as Tennessee’s running backs coach – Robert Gillespie – will make $300,000.

11. Florida getting a boost from JUCO players along the defensive line.

12. Biggest void on the LSU defense is the defensive end position -Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter trying to fill big shoes.

13. 27 former LSU players taking part in Pro Day workouts today. 18 former South Carolina players doing the same in Columbia today.

SEC Basketball/NCAA Tournament

14. When Florida meets Florida Gulf Coast Friday night  - expect the capacity crowd to make life difficult for the Gators.

15. Did Florida turn down Florida Gulf Coast for a pre-season scrimmage?  Yes. Urban Meyer has a daughter on the volleyball team at Florida Gulf Coast.

16. Stats guru Nate Silver gives Florida a 21.3% chance to win it all. “The Gators are this year’s flash point in the debate between stat geeks and traditionalists.”

17. State of Florida with three of the Sweet 16 teams - is the Sunshine State now a basketball state?

18. Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin reportedly expected to pursue extension and possible renegotiation of his contract.

19. Martin currently tied for 10th-highest paid coach in the SEC.

20. UCLA’s firing of Ben Howland could have an impact on Georgia basketball.

21. Three-point shooting one of the keys to advancing in the NCAA Tournament.

22. Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel No. 1 on the draft board for ESPN’s Chad Ford.  Says UK’s other three freshmen should stay in school.

23. For the first time since 2003, Mississippi State will play a game in Tupelo next season.

24. The block-charge call - defensive players being rewarded too often?

College News

25. Majority of sports fans polled do not favor paying college athletes.

26. Cowboys Stadium favorite to host first major college football playoff championship game.  Arlington and Tampa thought to be only two cities that bid.

27. When Auburn removes the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner on April 20th, Harvey Updyke Jr.’s attorney will be in attendance.

28. Former Alabama A.D. Mal Moore needs a lung transplant.

29. The “old” Big East getting two new members - Tulsa and East Carolina.

Extras

30. Sports-talk personality Paul Finebaum has a book deal.”Primarily, it’s about the culture of the show and how the culture of the show interacts with the SEC.”

Florida’s spring game on April 6th might not be much of a game if depth issues on the Gators’ offensive line persist.  Currently, UF has just six scholarship O-linemen who are healthy and ready for action.  A string of injuries, surgeries, and one suspension have Florida’s front wall short on building blocks.

With Florida using a run-first offensive system, Will Muschamp says it may be necessary for him to scale the spring game back to a regular, run-of-the-mill practice:

“We’re adjusting as we go.  Even with the spring game, it may be more of a practice-like atmosphere…

What’s hard for the offensive line is just taking 60 straight snaps.  That’s kind of difficult for just five guys to take that.  We’re incorporating within the scrimmage some 7-on-7 (and) some special teams periods, where we just concentrate and let those guys get a break.”

Florida will add five freshman offensive lineman in the fall and others are expected to return from the injured list.  As for his current thin ranks, Muschamp says it hasn’t prevented the Gators from practicing well this spring.  “We’ve still had a good, physical spring,” the third-year coach said.  “I feel very strong with where we are on the offensive line.”

Florida finished third in the SEC in rushing yards per game last year.  Only Ole Miss (42.54) rushed the ball with greater regularity than Florida and its 41.46 carries per game.

SEC Football

1. Florida five-star recruit and early enrollee Alex Anzalone has a torn labrum in his right shoulder -will miss the rest of spring practice.

2. Ole Miss defensive C.J. Johnson has reportedly broken his foot - out for the spring.

3. Tennessee senior defensive back Eric Gordon is dealing with personal issues - not practicing but on campus.

4. Defensive back Riyahd Jones once had a scholarship offer yanked by Kentucky – ended up going the JUCO route –  and is now at Tennessee.

5. How will Vanderbilt replace running back Zac Stacy?  It may take three guys.

6. South Carolina defensive backs coach Grady Brown on cornerback Victor Hampton: “If Vic was a sports car … he’d go from zero to 60 faster than any other sports car out there. He gets to his top speed fast.”

7. Running back Marcus Lattimore wants to show the progress he’s made coming off knee surgery at South Carolina’s pro day next week.

8. Pro day at Tennessee today - Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin in Knoxville.

9. On the job for a little more than 100 days, Gus Malzahn’s head-coaching style at Auburn is starting to emerge.

10. Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson on the type of defensive end he’s wants:  ”We still want big, physical guys, but there’s a premium now on the fast-twitch or first-step guys.”

11. Regardless of what changes the NCAA may make, recruiting budgets are going up at Ole Miss and Mississippi State.  Ole Miss increasing budget by $100,000 and MSU by $30,000.

12. An annual rite of passage at Alabama?  ”Saban bemoans his team’s lack of professionalism; his team responds.”

13. The cases of four dismissed former Alabama players will be heard by a grand jury.

14. JUCO transfer Cam Clear will compete for a starting tight-end job at Texas A&M this fall.  ”He’s one of the largest humans I have ever seen in my life.”

15. Texas A&M set to name a new president of its 12th Man Foundation.  The fund-raising arm of Aggie athletics busy raising money for the $425 million renovation of Kyle Field set to start later this year.

16. Auburn will remove the poisoned oak trees at Toomer’s Corner on April 23rd.

17. In this SEC football version of March Madness - Georgia beats Texas A&M in the final.

SEC Basketball

18. What’s it like to be on NCAA Tournament-bound Ole Miss?  Murphy Holloway: “I got a standing ovation in math class.”

19. Did Marshall Henderson deserve a technical for doing the Gator Chomp Sunday? Henderson weighs in on Kentucky and the NIT.

20. Dennis Dodd wrote on Tuesday what we said on Sunday – when it comes to taunting, why do college football and college basketball play by different rules?

21. Florida opens NCAA Tournament play Friday against Northwestern State.  On just about any tournament opponent – Gators will have experience edge in both playing and coaching.  President Obama has Gators in Final Four.

22. Missouri plays Thursday night against Colorado State.  Minnesota transfer Colton Iverson is 6-foot-10, 261 pounds and has racked up 14 double-doubles for the Rams this year.

23. Mizzou has nothing to fear from playing St. Louis University every year – “Neither school has proved especially adept at keeping the state’s premium basketball talent within its borders.”

24. Tennessee plays Mercer tonight in the first round of the NIT. Can the Vols get over their NCAA Tournament snub?  Jordan McRae:  “I mean, everybody is still upset about it… But there’s no need to tuck our heads down now. It is what it is.”

25. Will LSU forward Johnny O’Bryant depart for the NBA?  Coach Johnny Jones -  “no indication or expectations” that Bryant will leave.

26. Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings on this year’s 16-17 team.  “It might have been among my best (coaching jobs).”

Extras

27. Why are college athletic director salaries so high? “When you don’t have to pay competitive wages for your actual workforce, there’s a lot more cash available to shower upon high-level bureaucrats.”

28. Hundreds of college basketball coaches are in Hutchinson, Kansas to watch the JUCO tournament.

29. Former Kentucky football coach Hal Mumme lands at SMU as assistant head coach and passing game coordinator.

30. Quarterback Gunner Kiel offiically out at at Notre Dame –  not on spring roster – expected to transfer.