Well, we won't have Josh this upcoming season and it will be interesting to see how quickly Lemonte adapts to the faster game of SEC bb. If he can make that adjustment smoothly, then this will be a big help. Also, Robert, Kevin, Devon, and Derrick will be a year older and hopefully more mature. Jabari will get a chance to make a major contribution instead of being on the bench. It remains to be seen if Detrick will become a team player rather than wanting to shoot the ball every time that he touches it instead of looking for the best option. Alexander should have at least as much an impact on the game as Tariq had. And, the ace in the hole will be Kasongo, as compared to the undersized Carmichael.
The only question that I see is that most every opponent in the conference will be as good or better.
Tyndall was a very shrewd bench coach and, because of His expertise, we had a much better record than I believe more than 95% of the coaches in America would have had here last year.
I invite your input as to the teams in our conference you give us a gimme to defeat without question.
Well let's just start at the top...
Kentucky...do I think they go undefeated in the regular season and finish 38-1 next year, not a chance in hell IMO.
Arkansas...they lost their top 4 players off last years team, do I think they'll be just as good losing 4/5 starters? No way.
LSU...a fringe NCAAT team last year, they lose their 2 best players, but bring in a very strong recruiting class, I would say this ones a wash, probably similar team as last years.
Ole Miss...loses 3/5 starters and their best player is currently out with a leg injury and not due back until close to the first game, I would say they likely take a step back as they'll sorely miss Jarvis Summers IMO.
Texas A&M...doesn't lose much and adds a top 5 class, they should be much improved.
Georgia...loses 2/5 starters, bringing in a solid class, I would say they'll be similar to last years team, maybe take a small step back, will depend a lot on the freshman.
Vanderbilt...almost everyone back, adding some nice pieces, should be much improved.
Florida...lose 3/5 starters, but most importantly lost a HOF coach, I think White was a good hire and he held their recruiting class together pretty well, I think you'll see a slight increase in win total, but probably not a NCAAT team, and not nearly as bright a mind leading the team.
South Carolina...should be better, but it's hard to be much worse, they'll still be South Carolina imo.
Missouri...should definitely be better than last years horrendous squad, but I don't think they're even a NIT team this season.
Alabama...no telling how Avery Johnson's style works, they lost their 2 guards who were very good players, I think they take a step back.
Mississippi State...Howland is a great coach and landed a very good class, returning some nice pieces, should be much improved.
Auburn...bringing back some nice pieces, lost some leaderships, but overall should take a step forward, still think they're likely a year away from NCAA team IMO.
So in review...
Taking a step back: UK, ARK, UF, UA, UGA, OM
Taking a step forward: AU, MSU, MIZZ, USC, VU, A&M
Not steps taken: LSU
Tennessee finished 7-11 in SEC play last season, they've got 2 games against UK/VU/USC...I think splitting and going 3-3 is very realistic. That's leaves 12 games against the other 10 teams, no word yet on who the 2 teams we will play twice this season will be, so for arguements sake we'll just say 1 is good and 1 is bad...A&M as the good, Missouri as the bad. I think in those 12 games against:
Mizzou x 2: 2-0
A&M x2: 2-2
Ark: 2-3
UF: 3-3
UA: 4-3
UGA: 4-4
OM: 5-4
AU: 6-4
MSU: 6-5
LSU: 6-6
Add that to the 3-3 record from the permanent opponents, and you've got 9-9 in league play. Add in the OOC slate and I think 17-18 wins is a very attainable number for Barnes in Year 1.