2012 College Basketball Predictions: SEC Odds, Predictions, Favorites and Sleepers

2012 College Basketball Picks: SEC Championship Odds, Predictions, Favorites and Sleepers: Despite being the king of the college football world, the Southeastern conference hasn’t exactly been a power conference in college basketball. That being said, the SEC has placed two teams in the Elite Eight and two teams in the Final Four in each of the last two seasons. Not to mention the fact that the Kentucky Wildcats brought the conference a championship just last season. The SEC will also look a little different in 2012-13 as Missouri and Texas A&M come aboard. The Tigers in particular are intriguing, coming off a 30-win season. Add it all up, and a top-heavy conference could only be getting stronger in the coming. In the meantime, here is a look at how the contenders stack up for the upcoming college hoops season.

SEC Conference Odds, Predictions, Favorites and Sleepers

The Favorite

Last year, the Kentucky Wildcats went 38-2, won the national title and promptly lost pretty much their entire team, including the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the NBA Draft. However, head coach John Calipari has reloaded with another incredible recruiting class. National Player of the Year Nerlens Noel highlights this year’s group, and he is cut out of the same shot blocking mold as last year’s star Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, McDonald’s All-Americans Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress should provide plenty of speed and offensive firepower. Last but not least, Willie Cauley-Stein and his 7’0” frame will add some size and muscle to the frontcourt. Win, reload and repeat has been Calipari’s formula for success, and he has the pieces in place to win another SEC title and make another run to the Final Four.

The Dark Horses

After coming up just short of a Final Four berth two years in a row, the Florida Gators will try to get over the hump both in the conference and in March in 2012-13. Leading scorer Kenny Boynton is back, and he and fellow guard Erik Murphy should provide plenty of perimeter firepower for the Gators. Meanwhile, center Patric Young could emerge as a star after shooting more than 60 percent from the field and playing second fiddle to Florida’s guard-heavy attack last season. The player that could tie everything together is point guard Braxton Ogbueze. After redshirting last year, the coveted recruit could provide the added dimension the Gators need to take home an SEC title.

Despite losing three starters from a 30-win team, including closer Marcus Denmon, the Missouri Tigers still have the weapons to make some noise in their first season in the SEC. Mike Dixon and Phil Pressey are an excellent backcourt duo, and talented forward Laurence Bowers will be back in the mix after missing all of last season with an injury. Missouri will also have a pair of freshmen big men at its disposal in 2012-13. Ryan Rosburg and Stefan Jankovic are both pushing the seven-foot mark, and their size inside along with the Tigers’ experience on the perimeter makes this a dangerous bunch.

The Sleeper

It has been a long time since the Arkansas Razorbacks have been a major player for the conference title, but they might just have the roster to surprise the frontrunners this season. Sweet shooting sophomore B.J. Young will be one of the focal points of the offense, and he was already one of the best pure perimeter shooters in the country as a freshman. The offense should also be helped by the return of Marshawn Powell, who was averaging almost 20 points per game last year before going down with an injury. Four others players that saw significant playing time last season are also back, along with freshman forward Jacorey Williams. Add it all up, and the Razorbacks could surprise this season if all the young players improve with another year of experience.

Odds to win the SEC Conference
7361 Alabama +650
7362 Arkansas +1000
7363 Auburn +5000
7364 Florida +285
7365 Georgia +1500
7366 Kentucky +150
7367 LSU +1500
7368 Mississippi +1500
7369 Mississippi State +2500
7370 Missouri +800
7371 South Carolina +2000
7372 Tennessee +800
7373 Texas A&M +2000
7374 Vanderbilt +2000

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