SEC Football

1. Athlon has released its SEC preview. An Alabama-Georgia rematch is the SEC championship game pick.

2. The SEC’s new coaches discussed the challenge of rebuilding in the nation’s top conference.

3. Watch out for Texas A&M’s wide receivers against Alabama, writes Barrett Sallee.

4. Here are seven things Florida has to do to be successful this season.

5. The kickoff for Kentucky’s season opener with Western Kentucky has been set. No other game has a kickoff time.

6. Ohio State president Gordon Gee has apologized to the presidents at Kentucky and Louisville.

7. New SEC money is helping bring in upgrades to Missouri’s facilities.

SEC Basketball

8. Kentucky forward Kyle Wiltjer is trying out for the Canadian Development Men’s National Team.

9. Tennessee forward Jeronne Maymon says he should be “100 percent” by the end of July.

Extra

10. Sad news: Hall of fame defensive end Deacon Jones has passed away at 74.

11. You can vote on a prediction of the futures of former SEC quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Tim Tebow.

12. Which college basketball teams produce the most NBA talent? USA Today takes a look.

13. Coaches need to spend more time teaching and less time screaming, according to one sports psychologist.

14. A Miami football player has reported the NCAA to police.

15. Great news: Louisville guard Kevin Ware is back in the gym shooting jumpers.

Kentucky forward Alex Poythress announced Tuesday he will return for his sophomore season.

Poythress was Kentucky’s second-leading scorer (11.4 points per game) and rebounder (6.2 per game) during his first year in Lexington.

“This year didn’t end like we wanted it to,” Poythress said in a released statement. “I want to come back and do what we said we wanted to do and that’s win a national title. I want to develop more as a player and the competition coming in next year should help me do that.”

That competition will include six McDonald’s All-Americans as part of Kentucky’s 2013 class, which ranks No. 1 in the nation.

Poythress joins center Willie Cauley-Stein and forward Kyle Wiltjer in the decision to return to Lexington next season.

Freshman guard Archie Goodwin has already declared for the NBA draft while freshman forward Nerlens Noel has yet to announce his future plans. But Noel, who’s ranked the No. 1 overall draft prospect by ESPN.com’s Chad Ford, is expected to turn pro.

Yesterday, it was announced that sophomore point guard Ryan Harrow will transfer from Kentucky to Georgia State.   Today, UK has announced that freshman Archie Goodwin had declared himself eligible for the NBA draft while freshman Willie Cauley-Stein and sophomore Kyle Wiltjer have decided to stay put. 

With that, the reshuffling of Kentucky’s basketball roster has begun.  Today’s UK press release even added that “No announcement has been made by Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress, Jon Hood and Jarrod Polson regarding their future at Kentucky at this time.”  Noel has hinted that he will return to Lexington, but that’s doubtful.  Even after suffering a season-ending ACL tear, Noel is projected to be a top-five pick in the NBA draft if not the overall #1 pick.

In the release, Calipari said:

“’I’m excited that Willie and Kyle have decided to return for next season,’ John Calipari said. ‘When we talk about a players-first program, our goal is for each player to reach his dreams. Willie and Kyle believe it is in their best interest to return to Kentucky next season to achieve those dreams, and I fully support their decisions.

‘Although I really wanted Archie to return for his sophomore season, I fully support him choosing to pursue his dreams. He has the drive and desire to be great and I will continue to do everything I can to make sure he succeeds in life both on and off the court.

‘I believe, with another year of hard work and competition, they all can take their games to the next level. I look forward to seeing them all grow into young men.’”

Before next season the Wildcats will add what some are calling the greatest signing class in college basketball history.  As for where they’ll all fit, well, there are at least two new slots available with the departures of Harrow and Goodwin.

The defending national champs make a quick exit from the NIT.  Kentucky made a late run against Robert Morris but the Colonials prevailed 59-57. A wild final few minutes that saw Robert Morris player Lucky Jones ejected after a flagrant foul on Archie Goodwin came down to a foul against Kentucky following an inbound pass.  Tied at 57, The Colonials’ Mike McFadden made both free throws, the last two points of  the game.

A last-second three-pointer from Kyle Wiltjer bounced off the rim and Robert Morris fans stormed the court.

- Kentucky shot 53.8% from the field (21-39) while Robert Morris shot 45.5% (20-44).

- Robert Morris connected on five three-pointers.  Kentucky made just 2 of 10 shot from three-point range.

- Kentucky turned the ball over 14 times, Robert Morris nine times.

Potential good news for Kentucky?  Prep star Julius Randle, a top target in the 2013 class for the Cats,  will make his college announcement tomorrow.  As ESPN’s Jimmy Dykes said in the broadcast, if Randle pickes Kentucky. John Calipari could have the greatest recruiting class in the history of college basketball.

In a game Kentucky really needed to win, the Wildcats fell short, way short.  Vanderbilt, which led by 15 points at half, stretched the lead to as much as 21 points in the second half, won the game in convincing fashion.

The Commodores were led by three players with double figures – Kai-Jon Parker with 12, Kevin Bright with 11, and Kyle Fuller added 10.

Archie Goodwin led Kentucky with 12 points and Kyle Wiltjer chipped in with 10.

- Vanderbilt shot 50% from the floor (23-46), 80% from the charity stripe (8-10) and 52% from three-point range (9-17)

- Kentucky shot 35% from the floor (18-51), 50% from the free-throw line (8-16) and 28% from three-point range (4-14)

- Only 12 turnovers in the game – five for Vanderbilt and seven for Kentucky

Vanderbilt awaits the winner of the Ole Miss-Missouri game while Kentucky, like Tennessee, will have to wait until Sunday night to see if it makes the NCAA Tournament.

1. Alabama 77 – Villanova 55. Crimson Tide shoot 9-of-15 beyond three-point arc.

2. Anthony Grant’s team wins a November tournament for the second straight year.

3. Auburn 55 – College of Charleston 51.  Game-high 24 points for Frankie Sullivan.

4. Oklahoma State 62 – Tennessee 45. Vols make just 13-of 50 shots from the floor.

5. Tennessee kept missing, Cowboys defense kept sagging.

6. Missouri 74 – Nicholls State 54.  10 rebounds and 17 points for Alex Oriakhi.

7. Tigers headed to the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament next week – suspended guard Mike Dixon will be allowed to travel with the team.

8. Kentucky 101 – Lafayette 49. 23 ponts for Kyle Wiltjer.

9. Nerlens Noel – king of the floor burn? Coming on strong -and fast.

10. Ole Miss 92 – Arkansas-Little Rock 52. Five players in double figures for the Rebels.

11. South Carolina 87 – Morgan State 71.  Coach Frank Martin: “I’m embarrassed.”

12, Oregon 74 – Vanderbilt 48. Kevin Stallings ejected with 15;57 left to play.  

So now that John Calipari finally has a championship banner for his collection — and for now it’s A-OK by NCAA standards — will the coach take a little bit more time to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labor?  Not according to Kentucky’s beloved coach:

“What I’m trying to do is spend even more time with the players.  I’m working harder than I have the last 10 years in recruiting, in preparation.  I want to be at all the practices and see all the things going on.  I don’t want to be seen as complacent.  Our whole staff is going harder this season.

I’ve spent more time calling, texting kids on the road.  I’m traveling and spending more time with the current players.”

Calipari also told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz that he and the Wildcats aren’t working hard in order to defend last year’s title: “We’re not trying to defend anything.  The trophy is in the case.  That’s done.  We’re not trying to repeat.  Kyle Wiltjer played (just) 11 minutes a game last season.  Did you know of the 72 BCS schools, we’re the only school that doesn’t return a player who made a single start?”

While the rest of the world won’t shed too many tears for Coach Cal and his program built on one-and-done NBA stars, you can be sure Cat fans are loving every word their coach is saying.

Content provided by John Clay’s Sidelines.

Thanks to Oregon Live which sent along this video of Kyle Wiltjer, squashing internet rumors by re-affirming his commitment to play basketball at Kentucky.