Alabama coach Anthony Grant is making an early push for SEC coach of the year with his team off to a 7-1 start in the SEC. They aren't just beating up on western division teams either having gone into Knoxville and defeated Tennessee 65-60 this past Saturday. Florida has taken control of the SEC East by defeating Vanderbilt in overtime, and Kentucky last week. The Gators have a game and a half lead over Tennessee in the standings with a showdown with the Vols looming on Saturday. Georgia went 2-0 last week to pull itself over the .500 mark at 5-4 in the standings.
Duke has a half game lead over North Carolina in the ACC standings heading into Wednesday's match-up at Cameron Indoor. The Blue Devils defeated Maryland and N.C State this week to run their conference record to 8-1 on the season. The Tar Heels are red hot as well having won five in a row after dispatching Florida State 89-69 Sunday. Both teams have had point guards in the news this past week. Duke's freshman sensation Kyrie Irving had his cast removed and is now in a walking boot while recovering from a serious toe injury while North Carolina announced that Larry Drew II had left the team and will transfer. Drew II is the son of current Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew.