Can you comment on the lack of development on these Gamecock basketball players.
1. Lakeen Jackson - he had a pretty pretty good Fr season but has disintegrated to the place he's at now. I have never seen a worse offensive player than Lakeem has thruend into. Worst FT shooter in the history of USC BB.

2. Brian Richardson. He has disappeared. Cannot hit the 3. Is he good enough to play in the SEC or is this tied to Horn's staff's ability to develop players.

3. Slawson. He's another kid that can't hit a shot anymore. He's athletic but seems to not know what he needs to do.

I would really appreciate feedback on this.

With Lakeem his freshman season was helped with the players he had around in Downey, Muldrow and even Ramon Galloway to an extent. I have no explanation though for his complete lack of development over the course of three years. In a way it is kind of mind boggling to see a guy just not improve at all.

The staff has stopped using Richardson. I am not at practices and do not know all the details behind the scenes but I know that he needed to pick up his work ethic prior to the season. Still, I watched him in AAU and he was always a solid shooter, obviously a much better shooter than he has shown at South Carolina. Alabama and Virginia both wanted him pretty badly. I do not know if he is a starter in the SEC but I think he is a guy that could certainly help the Gamecocks and think he should return next year.

Slawson, I don't know. I see glimpses of Slawson getting better but still showing signs of being to timid. His shooting has always been questionable. Without looking, I think he is slightly better than Brandon Wallace from three point range right now. He is another guy that will be interesting to see how much he has developed going into his junior year next season as he should be ready to really contribute.

What's the hardest gym to play in in the SEC?

I have heard people say Vanderbilt because of how their benches are set up is very difficult. Rupp has a huge crowd and is a fun environment. I love how the O-Dome at Florida is set up, there fans/student section seem to be right on top of you. When Bud Walton Arena is rocking that place and The Hump in Starkville have to be right there in the mix.

WG, thanx for all you do. I had a question about some recruiting. What was it with AAU and all that Donovan does and I guess Calipari that Fogler thinks is cheating? I know it obviously isn't, or he would have been in trouble by now, but I never knew what he was talking about.
thanx again

Donavon just got hooked up with a big time AAU booster (Brett Bearup) that had connections with players and they helped get them to Florida. AT THAT TIME, there was nothing really in the rules about that and it worked great for Florida.

Calipari is just involved with numerous questionable characters and situations.