Scott Ferrell: Donovan's departure hurts the SEC

[Brian McCat]

No longer was the conference Kentucky and the 11 little sisters in basketball. With Donovan at Florida, the Big Blue had a legitimate challenger in the SEC.

Now?

Kentucky has a new head coach in Billy Gillispie. Florida will be hiring so late in the year there will likely not be a big-name coach for the Gators.

That may be good for Kentucky but it's not good for the SEC.

Who will challenge Kentucky now?

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/SPORTS0401/706010318/1031/SPORTS0301

[BrassowFan]

Who will challenge Kentucky now?

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/SPORTS0401/706010318/1031/SPORTS0301

I think that Tennessee is the next runner-up in the SEC, at least for the next couple of years.

[bleedbluelady]

I think that Tennessee is the next runner-up in the SEC, at least for the next couple of years.

As much as I hate to think it, much less say it...I think you are right. :icon_sad:

[DenCat]

UT will be a strong contender for the SEC east. I wonder what will happen to them post-Lofton. He is a young man who can carry a team. Will Pearl be able to keep momentum in Knoxville. The same would be true for UF, with or without Donovan. He caught lightning in a bottle with the players he had. That kind of talent and team chemistry doesn't come around very often.

[Coldstream]

This is bad for the SEC. We always complain about TV coverage and the love-affair between the ACC and ESPN. If we want to be the hottest league in the country, we need a competitive league. At this point, this is a step backwards.

[jdeasy]

10-E-C will be a factor as long as Pearl is there. Once he leaves, they will drop back to the bottom just as UF will now.

[RaleighCat]

I think drawing this conclusion might be the easiest piece of journalistic speculation ever. Yes, losing the repeat-National Championship coach in his professional prime hurts the SEC. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

[DCWildcat]

I think drawing this conclusion might be the easiest piece of journalistic speculation ever. Yes, losing the repeat-National Championship coach in his professional prime hurts the SEC. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

lol

[ukwebfan]

Not only will the SEC be fine, 5 NC's in the last 14 years speaks for itself.

Not that it matters, but it can be argued that the SEC has produced two of the biggest NBA winners of the past 35 years (Horry, Shaq).

I expect more of the same, minus the media-glory of course.