The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 7.

Having finished my three day football odyssey, it’s time to get down to making my preseason hoops prognostications. Without further delay, here are the official Hatvol SEC East predictions:

1. Tennessee. Strengths: The Vols have far more offensive firepower than anyone else in the conference. Their depth allows Bruce Pearl to play his full court system without fear of fatigue. Chris Lofton, Ramar Smith, and JaJuan Smith are as good perimeter trio as there is in America.
Weaknesses: UT still doesn’t have dominant size inside. Free throw shooting and ballhandling were also sketchy at times last season.
Outlook: Tennessee is easily the class of the SEC. More than 4 conference losses by this squad should be considered a major disappointment. The addition of Tyler Smith makes the Vols national championship contenders.

2. Kentucky. Strengths: The shot of adrenaline Billy Gillispie has given the Big Blue will pay off as the Cats get back to dominating on their homw court. Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford, and Jodie Meeks give Gillispie a strong perimeter game.
Weaknesses: It’s slim pickings, literally, inside for UK. Teams with muscular frontcourts will give Kentucky major problems. The development of Patrick Patterson and the improvement of Perry Stevenson are the only things that can keep Big Blue from getting hammered on the boards.
Outlook: Gillispie will lead his first squad to a solid second in the East. If Patterson and Stevenson can hold their own inside, UK will be very dangerous come March.

3. Georgia. Strengths. Experience, and lots of it. Dennis Felton has taken his lumps playing young guys the last couple of years. Now, he’s the one playing with seasoned veterans.
Weaknesses: Mike Mercer’s knee is cause for major concern. Further, the Dogs need someone to help Takais Brown inside.
Outlook: Mercer, Brown, and Sundiata Gaines give Georgia an experienced trio of stars. A little help from the freshmen frontcourt players will ensure UGA makes the Field of 65.

4. Florida. Strengths: Momentum. Back to back national titles speak volumes. A great recruiting class gives Billy Donovan plenty of talent to work with.
Weaknesses: An almost total dearth of experience. Walter Hodge is the only returning Gator with truly meaningful experience. UF will also be much smaller this season.
Outlook: The freshmen are talented. They’re still freshmen. Florida will be terrible on the road, but should win enough at home to find themselves on the NCAA bubble.

5. South Carolina. Strengths: Devan Downey and Zam Fredrick give Dave Odom a major infusion of offensive punch. The Gamecocks always play good defense.
Weaknesses: Even with the new additions, this is a limited team offensively. The lack of any inside offensive presence puts huge pressure on the newcomers in the backcourt.
Outlook: South Carolina makes the NIT. Dave Odom gets fired.

6. Vanderbilt. Strengths: Shan Foster is a solid, versatile player. A.J. Ogilvy has the potential to be an impact freshman.
Weaknesses: Derek Byars and Dan Cage were essential to this team’s success last year. Further, the overall athleticism of the Commodores is average, at best.
Outlook: It’s a long fall from the Sweet 16 to the divisional basement. Extending the contract of Kevin Stallings won’t seem like such a good idea come February.

Until next week, when the SEC West is in the spotlight, have a nice day.