re: Chances of LSU competing for SEC crown in basketball next year?

Assuming Mickey comes back, I think you'll see the preseason SEC predictions look like this:

1. UK
2. Fla
3. Ark
4. UGA
5. LSU........

LSU again should have the personnel to compete in what may likely be a weaker SEC (At least one with no overwhelmingly dominant team). Certainly there is no excuse for a .500 SEC record (though the same could have been said)