Official Site of the Southeastern Conference

Every Monday morning, the "Melting Pot" will take a look at articles from the nation's writers about the happenings from the Southeastern Conference.

---  High schools, colleges and professional sports are scrambling to address head injuries, writes Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News. This issue is extending to all sports, and this piece features soccer players caught by unfortunate injury.

"As athlete concussions draw increased scrutiny from Congress, the Alabama High School Athletics Association and college athletics organizations are searching for new ways to manage and prevent head injuries."

---  LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is using his platform and profession to help others, explains Jim Kleinpeter of the Times Picayune. Mainieri has hosted or worked with Mardi Gras balls, parades, benefits and fundraisers from many charities.

"Since returning the LSU program to where the multitude of Tiger fans feel is their rightful place, Mainieri has been deluged with requests for every manner of public appearance."

---  This piece by Adam Minichino gives you a behind the scenes look at an SEC Network game. Minichino chronicles minute-by-minute action of what happens so fans can see the league's games.

"If you think the action on the court is fast, try keeping up with Eric Posman and Dave Burchett. Between waves of the left hand and snapping of the fingers, the producer-director tandem that worked the Jan. 30 LSU-Mississippi State men’s basketball at Humphrey Coliseum are equal parts conductor and traffic cop."

---  Despite the different ways people get and share news in today's society, TV talent still has a story to tell. Minichino sits down with Dave Baker and Joe Dean, Jr. to understand the tv's role in telling the narrative.

"On Jan. 30, Baker and Joe Dean Jr. teamed as part of the SEC Network and ESPN/ESPN Regional Television’s broadcast of the LSU-Mississippi State men’s basketball game at Humphrey Coliseum. Baker and Dean Jr. are veterans of the Southeastern Conference and have worked together on numerous occasions. Their familiarity with the teams and with each other made their assignment easier, but their goal was, and always is, to use their background to tell the storylines and to keep the viewers interested."

---  Clay Travis of FanHouse gives out his midseason SEC basketball report. Travis takes the halfway point to talk RPI and the teams to watch for the remainder of the season.

"As we pass the halfway point of the season, the SEC East continues to dominate the league, racking up the top four spots in our power ranking poll and making it appear increasingly likely that no team from the SEC West will receive an NCAA tournament bid unless one of those teams wins the conference tournament."

---  The SEC is working its way back to the top in basketball, says Tommy Hicks of the Mobile Press-Register. Hicks compares 2010 to last year, and how the conference teams have improved.

"Should half of the league's membership earn spots in the Big Dance, doubling last year's total, it would have to be considered a successful season, especially if there is Final Four representation."