SEC Basketball: Opening 2017-18 weekend in review
The big preseason stories for SEC basketball in 2017-2018 were incoming freshmen and shoe scandals. The stories continued through the opening night of the season, as the SEC went undefeated for the weekend.
SEC basketball schools opened the season with a bang, going undefeated on the weekend. As expected, the freshman made news for many teams.
Freshmen Impact
At Missouri, the news was disappointing, The top recruit in the country, Michael Porter, only played two minutes during Missouri’s 74-59 home defeat of Iowa State due to a hip injury
Porter’s younger brother, Jontay Porter, picked up some of the slack. In18 minutes of play, the power forward scored 5 points.
Jontay Porter reclassified after his junior year and signed to play for Missouri last spring.
Elsewhere, SEC basketball freshmen jumped into college play with a splash.
Mississippi State’s freshman Nick Weatherspoon played 25 minutes and scored 11. The Bulldogs defeated Alabama State 96-68.
In South Carolina’s win over Wofford, freshman Felipe Haase of Santiago, Chili, scored 10.
Georgia freshman Rayshaun Hammonds scored 17 in 20 minutes as the Dogs downed Bryant. Both totals were second on the team.
Ole Miss Freshman Devontae Shuler scored 14 points in 16 minutes as the Rebels defeated the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
After beating Samford Friday night, Arkansas defeated Bucknell Sunday. Freshman Daniel Gafford scored 15 against the Bison.
Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari, of course, maintains a regular Fountain of Youth in Rupp Arena.
The always young Wildcats showed their immaturity by trailing at the half to Utah Valley. The Wildcats then showcased their talent, coming backCajunsn 73-63.
Kentucky redshirt freshman Diallo Hamidou led Kentucky with 18 points. On Sunday, Kentucky reversed the trend, missing 7 of its last 8 field goals while holding off Vermont, 73 – 69. Freshman PJ Watson led the Wildcats with 17 points.
Alabama Receives Good News
Alabama defeated Tubby Smith’s Memphis team 82-70. Freshman Dazon Ingram scored 20, freshman Herb Jones was the second leading scorer with 12, and Freshman John Petty was next with 11 points. Freshman Alex Reese chipped in 8 points.
Absent from Alabama’s roster was top recruit Colin Sexton. Sexton was the number one point guard recruit in the country.
However, Alabama and Sexton received good news earlier this week. Sexton was required to serve a one-game suspension by the NCAA. He will play in Alabama’s next game.
Shoe Scandal impact
Sexton was declared ineligible following news of the FBI probe into college basketball. The probe cost former Alabama associate athletic director Kobie Baker his job. For Sexton, the missed opener will conveniently serve as his one-game suspension.
Also sitting for the opener were Auburn’s Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy. The duo was also declared ineligible following the FBI’s arrest and the indictment of Auburn basketball letterman and assistant Coach Chuck Person.
Alabama rarely outdoes Auburn. Expect Austin Wiley’s and Danjel Purifoy’s reinstatement.
Marquee Win
In a marquee win for SEC basketball, Texas A&M defeated 11th ranked West Virginia, 88 – 65. For the Aggies, it was upperclassman making news.
Texas A&M juniors Amon Gilder (23 pts), Tyler Davis (23 pts), and DJ Hogg (19 points) led the team. Their combined 65-point total was as much as the Mountaineers team could muster.
It was a great start for a conference determined to build on a last year’s NCAA showing.