John Calipari: "The SEC should get 7 or 8 teams"

The SEC had their media day today, and it was relatively uneventful.

Perhaps the biggest news came from John Calipari via his twitter (where else?).

I told the media the SEC should get 7 or 8 teams in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Some people took exception to this statement, specifically Eamonn Brennan over at The Dagger.

The Dagger is one of the best college hoops blogs out there, and I generally agree with most of what those guys say. But I have to disagree with this:

No, dude. No. If this was a coach from the Big Ten, sure. The ACC, maybe. The Big East? I'd listen. But not the SEC. Come on now... Everyone knows this is silly, right? I don't have to explain why this is silly?

Not only do I think there is a chance the SEC gets seven teams in this year, I think it is a very real possibility.

The SEC Tournament will be one of the most exciting come March.
(photo credit: NashvilleSports.com)

Why?

Because the SEC is going to be the most improved conference in the country.

Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi State (even without Renardo Sidney) are virtual locks to get a bid.

Ole Miss will return a healthy Eniel Polynice and Chris Warren, and when combined with Terrico White give the Rebels one of the best back courts in the league. I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility that Ole Miss wins 11 or 12 games in the league this year.

South Carolina barely missed the NCAA's last season, and returns Devan Downey, one of the best scorers in the country, and their entire front line.

Vanderbilt will be a sleeper in the league this year as they return everyone and add freshman John Jenkins, who may be the best shooter in the country, to the mix to fill their biggest hole last season.

Florida is overflowing with potential, and while they did lose their point guard Nick Calathes, the Gators may be better off with Kenny Boynton at the point.

Even Arkansas, a team that struggled to a 2-14 finish and may be the worst run program in the country, returns their top four scorers from a team that beat both Texas and Oklahoma early last season.

Simply put, the SEC, especially the eastern division, is going to be very good this season.