Kentucky Basketball: 5 Reasons the Wildcats May Not Be the Favorites in the SEC

John Calipari has been a recruiting machine since landing in Lexington to coach the Kentucky Wildcats.

He has pulled in one elite-level recruit after another. In doing so, his UK teams have been very talented.

In two years, Calipari's record is a sizzling 64-12 overall and 24-8 in the SEC.

The 'Cats made it to the Elite Eight in his first year and to the Final Four this past year.

However, on an annual basis, he sees at least some of his star players depart for the NBA draft.

Can this crazy pattern go on forever? Can Coach Cal sustain this kind of success?

Here are five possible reasons why Kentucky may not be this year's prohibitive favorite in the SEC.

Team-Chemistry Troubles?

The above picture shows how things looked at the end of last season for the Wildcats. Kentucky was piling up one win after another.

Everything was loose. Everybody was having a good time.

Will this be the way things are this coming season?

As you mix returning players who want more time with new players who are ready to take the world on, sometimes there is friction and conflict.

How cohesive the 2011-12 'Cats will be remains to be seen.

If they play well together and remain united in the pursuit of the team’s goals, then they are likely to enjoy success. Maybe even great success.

If they shift into "me first" mode, then all of their incredible talent will not be enough even to win the SEC.

Vandy's Veterans?

Could this be the breakthrough year for the Vanderbilt Commodores? They will take the floor in Nashville this fall with an incredible amount of talent and experience.

Rather than being pushovers, this veteran group may have enough to knock off anybody in their path.

Everyone from Vandy's 23-11 (9-7  in SEC) team that played more than four minutes per game is returning. That includes both the SEC scoring leader (John Jenkins—19.5 ppg) and assists leader (Brad Tinsley—4.5 apg)

The Commodores had virtually the same team shooting percentage (45.7 percent) as Florida (46.2) and Kentucky (46.0). They were No. 2 in the conference in team FT percentage (74.7 percent) and team three-point percentage (37 percent).

Vandy and Kentucky split the two games they played last season, with the Commodores winning at home (81-77) and losing a heart-breaker in Lexington (68-66).

The SEC East will be a battle again.

Who knows? This may be Vanderbilt's year...  

Gator Greatness?

Don't shed too many tears for Billy Donovan.

Even though he had to say goodbye to SEC Player of the Year Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin, the Gators are going to be a little bit scary this season.

The best back-court in the conference, Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton, returns. Add to this dynamic super-freshman, Bradley Beal (No. 4 player in the Class of 2011), and you have a team that can be constantly in attack mode.

Oh, yeah...did I mention Patric Young, who has vaulted into just about every 2012 NBA lottery-pick discussion lately? Young is a man-child with toughness that makes him hard to handle down low.

Florida and Kentucky split their regular season games in 2010-11. The Cats took it to the Gators in the SEC Tournament Championship game.

With that fresh on their minds, Kentucky better bring it when these two teams square off in conference play.   

'Bama's Brutality

Especially if you are from the SEC East, when you come to play the Crimson Tide this year, be prepared for rough treatment.

Alabama won the SEC West by three games last season and were snubbed when they were handing out tickets to The Dance.

Five teams from the East (Florida, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Georgia and Tennessee) were dancing.

Alabama (25-12) was one of the most stingy defenses in the country (No. 5 in the nation, allowing their opponents to shoot only 38.6 percent from the field; No. 8, allowing less than 60 ppg).

And this is exactly what head coach Anthony Grant wants.

Toughness and Physicality.

JaMychal Green (pictured) and Tony Mitchell form a fierce front-court tandem that will cause even the most talented teams in the country to think twice before coming into the paint.

'Bama and Kentucky split their games last year. There's a good chance it will be two more battles again this season, with the possibility of the Crimson Tide rolling in both contests.   

Mississippi State Madness?

If there was an "All-SEC Soap Opera" team, Mississippi State would win this award hands down. They have had more drama then any team in recent memory.

Everything about Renardo Sidney's recruitment and time in Starkville has been theatrical.

Dee Bost's flirtation with the NBA Draft and his failure to follow the withdrawal date is almost too hard to believe.  

But along with all of the theatrics, Rick Stansbury's Bulldogs have the potential of being an intriguing team. Along with potential pros Sidney and Bost, the Bulldogs will welcome UTEP transfer Arnett Moultrie. During his two years with the Miners, the 6'11", 225-pound Memphis native appeared in 70 games and drew 67 starts, averaging 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds while blocking 62 shots. In that same stretch, he led UTEP on the boards 34 times.

The likelihood of all of these "storylines" flowing together to make a top-level team is doubtful.

But if Stansbury can get everyone working and playing together, they could legitimately give Kentucky a run for their money.