SEC links for Friday:
- Tennessee basketball adds 6-foot-8 forward Dwight Miller on final day of signing period. The juco forward averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds last season. Would not say he’s quite ready to replace Tobias Harris, but new coach Cuonzo Martin needs bodies. And Miller did sign with Pittsburgh out of high school before heading to Junior College. [Knoxville News-Sentinel]
- ESPN’s Mel Kiper has ranked South Carolina wide out Alshon Jeffery as the conference’s best pro prospect. His top five from the SEC: Jeffery, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, South Carolina defensive back Stephon Gilmore, Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw. [ESPN]
- Prosecution seeks gag order in the Harvey Updyke case. Updyke is the Alabama fan who poisoned Auburn’s beloved Toomer’s Corner trees. The gag order may be directed at Updyke, who keeps calling the Paul Finebaum show. [Huntsville Times]
- Pat Dooley of the Gaineville Sun on why the bowl system is popular with a certain segment: “But the bowl system stinks, you say with despair. Yeah, it does. For you and me. The kids love it. The coaches love it. They can schedule four cupcakes, beat the worst two teams in their conference and go to Memphis for a week of extra practice and free meals. What’s not to love? No, I don’t want to see Middle Tennessee vs. Ohio University, either. But the bowls aren’t for me and you. They are for the teams and the communities where they are played.” [Gainesville Sun]
- No opening-game cupcakes for Georgia. The Bulldogs will open their 2013 and 2014 seasons against Clemson. That’s not following the time-tested bakery formula for SEC non-conference success. Remember, the Bulldogs play Georgia Tech every year in the finale. New AD Greg McGarity said he wanted to take another look at football scheduling, but apparently decided he likes full stadiums. [AJC]
- LSU basketball gets off to a good start in Italy, winning its first game 106-70. Ralston Turner led the way with 21 points. Trent Johnson is hoping the trip gives his Tigers some much-needed confidence. [The Advocate]
- SEC baseball links from last night’s games:
