SEC Basketball: Takeaways from the 2017-18 Tip-Off Event

We learned a lot through the 2017-18 SEC Basketball Tip-Off Event. Let’s check out some of those takeaways and what they might mean for the conference.

SEC basketball coaches came to the SEC Tipoff 2017-18 in Nashville to talk about the SEC’s success in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. They made news answering questions – and not answering questions – about the FBI Pay-for-Play investigation.

While the coaches were talking, the media snuck out and voted a freshman Co-Preseason Player of the Year and placed two true freshmen and a redshirt freshman on the 12-player Preseason All-Conference Team.

To top it off, Ole Miss, a graveyard for head coaching careers, has the Dean of SEC Coaches, Andy Kennedy. Oh, and Kentucky was picked to win the SEC Championship. It was a hectic event full of information, so let’s break down some of the major points.

More Respect for SEC Basketball

SEC basketball coaches expect more NCAA Tournament respect in 2018, especially in Alabama. John Clay at Kentucky.com quoted Alabama head coach Avery Johnson saying this:

"“What a lot of those teams did last year, that’s not a fluke. Those teams are well-coached. They do a heck of a job. They have really good players. I don’t see any reason why we can’t have seven or more teams in the NCAA Tournament.”"

Of course, one reason might be because the SEC has never placed more than six teams in the NCAA Tournament. Mississippi coach Andy Kennedy was more measured, telling the AP that because teams generally at the bottom of the league standings have improved, ”top to bottom” the league looks as strong as it’s ever been during his 12-season tenure. That’s probably a more reasonable perspective on the strength of SEC basketball.

But, no one is going to complain if SEC coaches toot their horn. They have a good reason.  Recruiting is on the rise.