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Posted: Tuesday November 09, 1999 01:07 AM

SEC overview

Auburn primed for repeat; Gators, Vols poise threats

Chris Porter leads a talented returning cast for Auburn. Todd Warshaw/Allsport

Order of Finish East 1. Florida 2. Tennessee 3. Kentucky 4. Vanderbilt 5. Georgia 6. South Carolina West 1. Auburn 2. Arkansas 3. Alabama 4. Mississippi State 5. Mississippi 6. LSU

Top storylines

Can Billy Donovan's super-talented Florida Gators, who have nine freshmen and sophomores on their roster versus only one senior, grow up in time to meet high preseason expectations? Tennessee won the SEC East regular season title last year and returns the nucleus of that team but isn't expected to repeat. If the Vols can find a little team chemistry and get point guard Tony Harris on the same page with coach Jerry Green, they could delay the Gators' date with greatness. National player of the year candidate Chris Porter led Auburn to a 29-4 record and the third round of the NCAA Tournament last year. To improve on that, he'll have to get the Tigers to the Final Four.

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Auburn Florida Tennessee Kentucky	Arkansas Alabama	Georgia South Carolina Mississippi LSU Mississippi State Vanderbilt

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Chris Porter, Auburn • Tremendous leaper shot 350 jumpers every day this off-season to improve his overall game. Mike Miller, Florida • Lived up to hype as freshman (12 points, 5 boards per game), now the pressure's really on. Jamaal Magloire, Kentucky • Decided at last minute to return to Wildcats rather than enter NBA Draft, must now step up offensive game to steady young team.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Doc Robinson, Auburn • Overshadowed by Chris Porter but may be more valuable due to experience, leadership. Tony Harris, Tennessee • Will be league¹s best if he improves attitude, comes to play every night. Kenyan Weaks, Florida • Second on team in scoring, second in league in steals last season.

Top Three Newcomers

Schea Cotton, Alabama • JUCO All-American in only season at Long Beach City College. Brett Nelson, Florida • McDonald's All-American could start at point from Day 1. Marvin Stone, Kentucky • 'Cats coach Tubby Smith says freshman could be best big man ever at Kentucky.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Billy Donovan, Florida • Has Gators in preseason top 10 in fourth seson. Fabulous recruiter.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Eddie Fogler, South Carolina • Gamecock fans can't take another 8-21 mark like last season.

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

Kentucky • Wildcats play Indiana, at Maryland, Louisville and Michigan State before SEC season begins.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

Ole Miss • Rebels face Souteastern Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, Prairie View and Birmingham-Southern consecutively in two weeks prior to conference slate.

Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 27, Auburn vs. Stanford • Tigers learn where they stand this season before December. Dec. 11, Kentucky at Maryland • Let the SEC vs. ACC debate begin. Jan. 18, Tennessee at Florida • Volunteers' chance to prove East title is still theirs' to lose. March 4, Florida at Kentucky • To be the man, you've got to beat the man. SEC regular-season finale for both.

Josh Kendall covers the SEC for Athens (Ga.) Daily News/Banner-Herald. Look for his CNN/SI conference insiders during the season.

 

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