SEC Football

1. The Florida-Miami series may not be renewed. Miami A.D. – “There hasn’t been any conversation and there isn’t anything on the schedule for the future.” Georgia and Florida State discuss potential 2016 matchup.

2. Is Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel a top-five SEC quarterback?  MrSEC’s Josh Ward thinks so.

3. Athlon’s preseason rankings have the Gators coming in at No. 13. Florida’s game against Tennessee already sold out.

4. Toughest matchups for LSU this fall? Games at Alabama and Georgia. Suspension at TCU huge break for the Tigers?

5. Best red zone defense last three years?  If you guessed Alabama, you weren’t wrong.

6. Nick Saban gets asked for reaction to Charlie Weis’ comments about the SEC. ”I just think our league is fantastic.”

7. Saban’s daughter, a sorority fight and a lawsuit.

8. Several Auburn freshman, including quarterback Jeremy Johnson,  arrived on campus Tuesday – just ahead of summer classes.

9. Former Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson re-joining program as graduate assistant.

10. At Arkansas, one Mitchell leaves while another emerges (not related to the author nor connected to the Joe Don Baker movie)

11. Do people “love to hate Bret Bielema”?

12. Three reasons why Kentucky shouldn’t drop Louisville in football.

13.  Three of Stewart Mandel’s top five nonconference games for the first month of the 2013 season feature SEC teams.

14. Andy Staples plays the “what-if” game – looks at what could have happened with a four-team playoff in college football the last 10 years.

SEC/College News

15. Jon Solomon: “47 percent of the Division I public universities listed in a recent USA Today Sports revenue database increased coaches and staff pay at a higher rate than their athletic scholarship costs” Breakdown by school.

16. A Florida State recruit now wants to play at Georgia or Miami – but FSU won’t grant a release.

17. Kevin Scarbinsky on troubles at Auburn.  ”It’s been a long, strange year for the Tigers in so many ways.”

18. Kentucky athletes post the highest cumulative GPA during Mitch Barnhart’s time as athletics director.

SEC Basketball

19. Auburn A.D. Jay Jacobs on coach Tony Barbee: “Now he’s got to produce. We’ve got to look for results.”

20. Alabama A.D. Bill Battle on coach Anthony Grant: “I think he’s the right guy for our job.”

21. Andrew Wiggins chooses Kansas - may have not been a fit at Kentucky anyway “The Cats have almost too many good players scheduled to arrive on campus.”

22. Big loss for LSU recruiting.  Assistant coach Robert Kirby reportedly leaving for Memphis. (Before LSU, he was at Georgetown, where he recruited projected top five NBA pick Otto Porter, Jr.)

23. Point guard Kasey Hill compared to John Wall and Rajon Rondo –  expected to make a big impact at Florida.

24. Tennessee players Armani Moore and Josh Richardson headed to the Dominican Republic this summer.

25. Men’s basketball makes the biggest jump  of any program at Georgia according  to the latest NCAA Academic Progress Rate report.

Extras

26. Schools with the highest-paid NBA alums – LSU, Kentucky and Florida make the list.

27. New sport approved at LSU - sand volleyball for women.

28. Original report – Michigan State recruit giving up football to pursue rap career. Revised report – School pulled scholarship after profanity-laced video showed up on YouTube.

29. Hawaii getting the “Rainbow” back.

30. Memphis puts the punter on the cover of the media guide.

31. ESPN reporter Jeannine Edwards and Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer getting married.

Now that declaration day for the NBA draft has come and gone, you can expect to see a lot of way-too-early, pre-preseason college basketball polls popping up from site to site.  CBSSports.com has posted theirs today.

According to Jeff Goodman and Gary Parrish, SEC fans shouldn’t expect much more in terms of ranked teams than they witnessed last year.  Here’s the rundown for CBSSports.com’s top 25:

1.  Kentucky

5.  Florida

17.  Tennessee

And, well, that’s it.  Three ranked teams and no more.

Now, again, this is incredibly early and preseason polls typically aren’t worth the pixels they’re displayed upon — Kentucky was #1 in several polls last year, too.  But if you’re looking to set your SEC expectations for 2013-14, you might want to place it kinda low.  Again.

Tennessee forward Jarnell Stokes will stay at the school for his junior season.  The Memphis native had entertained the idea of entering the NBA draft but says he’s staying in Knoxville.

“After considering entering the NBA Draft, I have decided to return to Tennessee for my junior season. After talking with my family I have decided to come back and I am excited to return to the Vols. I am looking forward to playing with Jeronne (Maymon), Jordan (McRae), Trae (Golden) and my other teammates again. I think we are ready for a big season, one that will make Vol Nation proud.”

Stokes was Tennessee’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer last season.  He had sixteen double-doubles, the most of any SEC player.

The SEC and ESPN will announce the creation of a new “SEC Network” on Tuesday in Atlanta
The new SEC-only channel is expected to launch in August of 2014
Alabama RB Jalston Fowler is still not back to 100% following a torn ACL
Alabama’s football team — as BCS champs — will visit the White House Monday for the third time in four years
Les Miles says the LSU offense has improved this spring under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron
Kentucky QB Jalen Whitlow made a push for the starter’s job during the Wildcats’ spring game this past weekend
Kentucky C Nerlens Noel has announced that he will jump to the NBA after just one season in Lexington
Georgia G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has announced that he will jump to the NBA after just two seasons in Athens
Keep up with the SEC all year long by visiting MrSEC.com and twitter.com/mrsec

One day, two great players leaving.  Kentucky hoopster Nerlens Noel isn’t the SEC’s only high-profile prospect announcing his intention today to jump to the NBA.  Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — the SEC’s Player of the Year this past season — has also said he’s exiting school early:

“I want to thank the University of Georgia for all it has done for me.  I want to thank my coaches, teammates and fans for the love and support.”

Caldwell-Pope scored in double-figures in each of Georgia’s 32 games this season.  The sophomore averaged 18.5 points per game for the Bulldogs this season, also pulling down an average of seven rebounds per game.

The NBA website DraftXpress.com lists Caldwell-Pope as a borderline first-round pick.  That site projected him to a be a lottery-level pick in 2014, if he returned to school (and stayed healthy, and produced, etc).  His stock has been rising on most other draft boards, however, and it’s likely that he’s gotten some pretty positive feedback from NBA sources, likely with the aid of UGA coach Mark Fox.

Caldwell-Pope certainly has the build and the touch to become a successeful shooting guard at the next level.

Well this one won’t surprise many folks.  Kentucky star and freshman All-American Nerlens Noel is leaving UK and entering the NBA draft:

“I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I’m ready to take the next step to the NBA.  I’ve learned so much here at UK and am thankful for Coach (John) Calipari, the staff and my teammates for all of their support.  I especially appreciate the Big Blue Nation and all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I’ve received from them during my rehab and decision-making process.  I’ll always be a Wildcat!”

Noel was having the kind of season that would have won him SEC Player of the Year honors before tearing his ACL in a February contest at Florida.  Despite the injury he is expected to go in the first few picks in this summer’s NBA draft, likely first overall.  If he does go first, he’ll be the third Wildcat to go #1 in the four years since Calipari took over in Lexington.

As for the “I’ll always be a Wildcat!” line, Noel arrived on UK’s campus in mid-August.  Eight months later he’s decided to depart.  Welcome to life in a one-and-done universe.

Missouri G Phil Pressey has announced that he will enter the NBA draft and he’s already signed with an agent
LSU F Johnny O’Bryant has decided to return to LSU for his junior season rather than enter the NBA draft
The SEC has decided not to renew the contract of coordinator of basketball officials Gerald Boudreaux
South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney will likely miss the final four day of spring practice due to neck- and back-stiffness
The Egg Bowl rivalry game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State will air on Thanksgiving Night on ESPN this fall
Alabama WR DeAndrew White expects to be fully back from knee surgery by fall
Florida finished #9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the only SEC team in the final basketball rankings
Follow the SEC every single day at MrSEC.com

SEC Football

1. Georgia offensive line coach Will Friend was not happy with his unit’s performance in Saturday’s spring game. Returning starters  John Theus and Kenarious Gates worked on the second team in Tuesday’s practice. 

2. Mark Richt at public appearance: “I look like a bum, I apologize.”

3. SEC All-Freshman safety Rohan Gaines has noticed a change with the new Arkansas staff - they want him closer to the line of scrimmage with an emphasis on stopping the running game.

4. He pursued a career in professional baseball.  Now 28-year old Jai Miller is trying to earn a job in Nick Saban’s secondary.

5. Alabama receiver DeAndrew White is six months into his recovery from knee surgery. Expects to participate in full contact drills by the time fall camp starts.

6. What’s the future at wide receiver for Florida’s Loucheiz Purifoy? “It’s clear the coaches are determined to get Purifoy involved on offense.”

7. Vanderbilt defensive back Steven Clarke is competing for a starting spot at two different positions.

8. Auburn’s Chad Slade has started everywhere along the offensive line except for center. Looks like he has a permanent position at right guard. But several positions are up for grabs as the Tigers start the second half of spring practice.

9. There may be only one open spot on the Volunteers offensive line but there’s plenty of competition and cross-training going on at Tennessee.

10. John Adams on the Vols: “Although UT’s offensive line should be one of the best in the SEC, the running game is questionable at best. So is the defense.”

11. With other running backs injured, Mississippi State’s Derrick Milton is getting reps with the first-team offense.

12. Based on their spring play, these players could be on the verge of making noise in the SEC this fall.

SEC Basketball

13. Just one SEC team in the final USA Today Coaches’ Poll – Florida comes in at No. 9. Third straight top-1o finish for the Gators.

14. Alabama center Moussa Gueye plans to transfer. Alabama guard Trevor Releford recognized as the team’s most valuable player.

15. Kevin Scarbinsky: “The commonwealth of Kentucky is not the basketball equivalent of the state of Alabama in football. Not quite, not yet and probably not ever.”  But is it too early to talk about a possible Kentucky-Louisville title game showdown in 2014?

16. Mock draft has Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel going first overall but no Archie Goodwin in the first round.

Extras

17. Several (non-SEC) players announced Tuesday they’re leaving school early for the NBA.

18. Are Louisville and Michigan the model for how to re-energize college basketball? Rick Pitino’s getting a $425,000 bonus.

19. Recruit commits to Miami and says this about the NCAA investigation.  ”When you have a president like President [Donna] Shalala on your side, you can’t lose. And there’s no way Miami will lose this.”

20. Time to unionize college athletics?

21. Jay-Z’s stake in the Brooklyn Nets is worth less than a two-bedroom Brooklyn apartment.

Florida center Patric Young has decided to skip the NBA draft and return to Gainesville for his senior season next year.  The school posted the following quote from Young today, confirming his decision:

“I have the chance to finish my degree and play another season for Coach (Billy) Donovan with great teammates and friends at a place I love.  These first three years have gone by in a flash, and I can’t believe it is my senior year already.  I have gotten better as a player and better as a man at the University of Florida.  I believe God has my future in his hands, so all I am worried about now is getting better this summer and making it the hardest I have trained in my life.”

Young failed to live up to high expectations this past season, which left him on the bubble for the upcoming NBA draft.  The website DraftXpress.com lists him as pick #38 in its 2013 mock draft.  That would make Young the eighth player selected in the draft’s second round and second-rounders do not receive guaranteed contracts.

For Young, the return to school makes sense.  For Florida, the return of a veteran post-player should be welcome news.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel recently gave up on Twitter because he said it had become a distraction for him.  He was tired of having whatever he wrote or shared via that social medium become newsworthy.

So the Heisman-winning quarterback has now shifted to Instagram instead.  Yeah.  That’ll be much better.

Manziel attended the Miami Heat’s victory at the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.  And he tweete… er… Instragrammed a photo of himself with LeBron James afterward:

Now, there’s nothing in the world wrong with a college kid going to an NBA game.  There’s nothing wrong with a celeb-athlete getting “backstage” with one of the world’s most famous players.  And there’s nothing wrong with Manziel showing the world the cool, fun things he gets to do.

Most 20-somethings would show off photos like the one above.

But Manziel needs to just shut up about the press and the distractions.  Sorry if that’s harsh, but he creates the distractions his own self.  Example: Post a photo of yourself with an NBA star and expect people to ask…

A) Why isn’t he worrying about spring practice?

And…

B) How does this kid have the money to attend (seemingly) every big concert or sporting event in the nation?

Yeah, yeah.  We know.  Mama and papa have money.  But not everyone knows that.

Manziel is taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I say opportunity because most people only dreams of hanging with the rich and famous.  I say once-in-a-lifetime because Heisman voters tend to turn on those who receive too much hype.  Tim Tebow never won the award after his sophomore season.  Peyton Manning never won it at all.  Get too much pub, and people will start looking for a new underdog on the ballot.  Regardless of the season he has this fall, Manziel won’t win the trophy again.  Fair or not, there are going to be a lot of people who say success has gone to the kid’s head.

But what should be a greater concern for Manziel — and the coaches and parents who apparently aren’t worried that he’s setting himself up for a fall — is how Aggie fans respond to his “celebrified” ways.  A&M fans are backing him now, but let’s see what gets said after the Aggies lose their first game this fall.  And Lord help the kid if he takes a step backward in his overall play. Just as sure as him not winning another Heisman?  The fact that fans will say, “Maybe if he worried more about football,” whenever he fires an interception or fails to find an open receiver.

Manziel deserves the right to enjoy his youth.  In a perfect world he should be able to share tales and photos of his dazzling adventures.

But this isn’t a perfect world.  And everytime the kid tweets, Instagrams, or Facebooks a photo of himself eating a ham sandwich, it leaves a few more people wondering which the kid loves more — football or his celeb status?

Especially if he’s eating said ham sandwich with Justin Bieber and Pope Francis backstage at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show.