John Calipari was asked recently what it will feel like when Feb. 1 finally rolls around. “What's February 1st?” he replied with mock innocence. “That's my dad's birthday.” It's also the day Calipari, who will be about three months into his first season coaching Arkansas, walks back into Rupp Arena, where he spent the past 15 seasons coaching Kentucky. Few other games in the SEC this season will have a brighter spotlight on them, especially given both of the teams are ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 men's basketball poll.
“Come on, man, 15 years,” Calipari said. “I gave my heart and soul. I want them to do well except — what date? OK, that date.” The SEC looked a whole lot different when Calipari took over the Wildcats. It had just 12 teams back then, and only four made the NCAA Tournament. Football has long been king in the conference, with basketball basically an afterthought.
Not anymore. The league, now having grown to 16 members with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas this season, has nine teams in the Top 25. Alabama leads the way at No. 2 behind guard Mark Sears, a preseason first-team All-American, while No. 11 Auburn, No. 12 Tennessee and No. 13 Texas A&M give the league three more teams knocking on the door of the top 10.
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