“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait two more weeks until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
This week we’ll feature the SEC.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. Tennessee
Projected Starting 5:
G Santiago Vescovi
G Jaden Springer
G Josiah Jordan-James
F Yves Pons
C John Fulkerson
Key Losses: Jordan Bowden, Lamonte Turner
Key Newcomers: Jaden Springer, Keon Johnson, Corey Walker, Victor Bailey (Oregon), Malachi Wideman, E.J. Anosike (Sacred Heart)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Keon Johnson, Corey Walker, Victor Bailey, Drew Pember, Uros Plavsic, Olivier Nkamhoua, Malachi Wideman, E.J. Anosike
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Yves Pons (will go through the NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: The SEC will go through Knoxville if Pons returns to school.
2. Kentucky
Projected Starting 5:
G Devin Askew
G Terrence Clarke
G B.J. Boston
F Keion Brooks
C Isaiah Jackson
Key Losses: Nate Sestina, Tyrese Maxey, Nick Richards, Ashton Hagans, Johnny Juzang, Nick Richards, Immanuel Quickley
Key Newcomers: B.J. Boston, Terrence Clarke, Devin Askew, Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Davion Mintz (Creighton)
Sit Out Transfers: Olivier Sarr (Wake Forest), Jacob Toppin (Rhode Island)
Projected Bench: Lance Ware, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Dontaie Allen, Davion Mintz, Isaiah Jackson
The Skinny: The ceiling in Lexington hinges on one thing — Olivier Sarr’s filed waiver with the NCAA for immediate eligibility.
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
3. LSU
Projected Starting 5:
G Javonte Smart
G Cam Thomas
F Charles Manning Jr.
F Trendon Watford
C Darius Days
Key Losses: Skylar Mays, Emmitt Williams, Marlon Taylor
Key Newcomers: Cam Thomas, Josh Leblanc (Georgetown), Jalen Cook, Bradley Ezewiro, Shareef O’Neal (UCLA), Mwani Wilkinson, Eric Gaines
Sit Out Transfers: Bryan Penn-Johnson (Washington)
Projected Bench: Josh Leblanc, Jalen Cook, Bradley Ezewiro, Shareef O’Neal, Mwani Wilkinson, Eric Gaines
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Trendon Watford (will go through draft process), Darius Days (will go through draft process), Javonte Smart (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: The talent is there, but will the ball security be better? LSU had a total of 398 assists last season to go with 390 total turnovers.
4. Florida
Projected Starting 5:
G Tre Mann
G Noah Locke
F Scottie Lewis
F Keyontae Johnson
C Omar Payne
Key Losses: Kerry Blackshear, Andrew Nembhard
Key Newcomers: Tyree Appleby (Cleveland State), Anthony Duruji (Louisiana Tech), Samson Ruzhentsev, Niels Lane
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Ques Glover, Tyree Appleby, Anthony Duruji, Samson Ruzhentsev, Jason Jitoboh, Niels Lane
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The 6-5 Johnson quietly emerged last season as one of the top mismatch forwards in the country.
5. Arkansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Desi Sills
G Isaiah Joe
F Moses Moody
F Justin Smith
C Connor Vanover
Key Losses: Jimmy Whitt, Mason Jones
Key Newcomers: Moses Moody, K.K. Robinson, Davonte Davis, Jaylin Williams, Abayiomi Iyiola (Stetson), Connor Vanover (Cal), JD Notae (Jacksonville), Jalen Tate (Northern Kentucky), Vance Jackson (New Mexico), Justin Smith (Indiana)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: K.K. Robinson, Davonte Davis, Jaylin Williams, Abayiomi Iyiola, JD Notae, Vance Jackson, Jalen Tate
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Isaiah Joe (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: Improved depth should lead to improved results. Joe is a legitimate All-American candidate if he withdraws from the NBA Draft and returns to school.
6. South Carolina
Projected Starting 5:
G Jermaine Cousinard
G A.J. Lawson
F Keyshawn Bryant
F Justin Minaya
C Wildens Levesque
Key Losses: Maik Kotsar, Jair Bolden
Key Newcomers: Patrick Iriel, Ja’Von Benson, Seventh Woods (North Carolina)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Alonzo Frink, Trae Hannibal, T.J. Moss, Jalyn McCreary, Patrick Iriel, Ja’Von Benson, Seventh Woods
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Everything is aligned for the Gamecocks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since their Final Four run in 2017.
7. Auburn
Projected Starting 5:
G Sharife Cooper
G Allen Flanigan
F Devan Cambridge
F Jaylin Williams
F JT Thor
Key Losses: Samir Doughty, Isaac Okoro, J’Von McCormick, Austin Wiley, Danjel Purifoy, Anfernee McLemore
Key Newcomers: Sharife Cooper, JT Thor, Justin Powell, Dylan Cardwell, Chris Moore
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Tyrell Jones, Jamal Johnson, Justin Powell, Dylan Cardwell, Chris Moore, Javon Franklin, Babatunde Akingbola
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Expect growing pains early and cautious optimism late. The 6-foot Cooper will be appointment television.
8. Alabama
Projected Starting 5:
G Jahvon Quinerly
G John Petty
G Jaden Shackelford
F Herb Jones
C Jordan Bruner
Key Losses: Kira Lewis, James Bolden, Galin Smith
Key Newcomers: Jahvon Quinerly (Villanova), Jordan Bruner (Yale), Josh Primo, Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Keon Ellis, Darius Miles, Alex Tchikou
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Alex Reese, Josh Primo, Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Keon Ellis, James Rojas, Darius Miles, Alex Tchikou, Juwan Gary
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: There’s plenty of talent in Tuscaloosa, but will there be an improved defense? Alabama surrendered an average of 80.2 points last season in 18 conference games.
9. Missouri
Projected Starting 5:
G Dru Smith
G Xavier Pinson
G Mark Smith
F Kobe Brown
F Jeremiah Tilmon
Key Losses: None
Key Newcomers: Jordan Wilmore, Drew Buggs (Hawaii), Ed Chang (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Torrence Watson, Mitchell Smith, Ed Chang, Javon Pickett, Jordan Wilmore, Drew Buggs
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Jeremiah Tilmon (will go through NBA Draft process), Xavier Pinson (will go through NBA Draft process), Mitchell Smith (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: Several SEC coaches are pegging the Tigers as a potential sleeper.
10. Ole Miss
Projected Starting 5:
G Jarkel Joiner
G Devontae Shuler
G KJ Buffen
F Romello White
F Khadim Sy
Key Losses: Breein Tyree, Blake Hinson
Key Newcomers: Jarkel Joiner (CSU Bakersfield), Romello White (Arizona State), Dimencio Vaugn (Rider), Matthew Murrell, Marcus Niblack
Sit Out Transfers: Robert Allen (Samford)
Projected Bench: Matthew Murrell, Dimencio Vaughn, Marcus Niblack, Austin Crowley, Antavion Collum, Shon Robinson, Luis Rodriguez, Sammy Hunter
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Remember the name Jarkel Joiner.
11. Texas A&M
Projected Starting 5:
G Jay Jay Chandler
G Quenton Jackson
G Savion Flagg
F Emanuel Miller
C Kevin Marfo
Key Losses: Josh Nebo, Wendell Mitchell
Key Newcomers: Kevin Marfo (Quinnipiac), Hassan Diarra, Jaxson Robinson, Hayden Hefner, LaDamien Bradford, Cashius McNeilly (redshirt)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Cashius McNeilly, Hassan Diarra, Jaxson Robinson, Hayden Hefner, LaDamien Bradford, Andre Gordon, Jonathan Aku
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Buzz Williams needs major mileage out of Quinnipiac grad transfer Kevin Marfo, who led the nation in rebounding last season.
12. Mississippi State
Projected Starting 5:
G Deivon Smith
G Iverson Molinar
F D.J. Stewart
F Tolu Smith
C Abdul Ado
Key Losses: Nick Weatherspoon, Tyson Carter, Reggie Perry
Key Newcomers: Deivon Smith, Cameron Matthews, Keondre Montgomery, Andersson Garcia, Jalen Johnson (Louisiana), Tolu Smith (Western Kentucky)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Deivon Smith, Jalen Johnson, Cameron Matthews, Keondre Montgomery, Andersson Garcia, Quinten Post
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Robert Woodard (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: The Bulldogs will be an NCAA Tournament contender if Woodard withdraws from the NBA Draft and returns to school.
13. Georgia
Projected Starting 5:
G Sahvir Wheeler
G Justin Kier
G Andrew Garcia
F PJ Horne
F Toumani Camara
Key Losses: Anthony Edwards, Rayshaun Hammonds, Jordan Harris, Tyree Crump
Key Newcomers: PJ Horne (Virginia Tech), Justin Kier (George Mason), Andrew Garcia (Stony Brook), K.D. Johnson, Josh Taylor, Mikal Starks (JUCO), Jonathan Ned (JUCO), Tyron McMillan (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Tye Fagan, Jakywon Walton, Christian Brown, K.D. Johnson, Josh Taylor, Mikal Starks, Jonathan Ned, Tyron McMillan
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Tom Crean needs significant jumps from both Wheeler and Camara as sophomores.
14. Vanderbilt
Projected Starting 5:
G Scotty Pippen Jr.
G Maxwell Evans
F D.J. Harvey
F Clevon Brown
F Dylan Disu
Key Losses: Aaron Nesmith, Saben Lee
Key Newcomers: D.J. Harvey (Notre Dame), Myles Stute, Tyrin Lawrence, Akeem Odusipe, Isaac McBride (Kansas)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Quentin Millora-Brown, Myles Stute, Tyrin Lawrence, Akeem Odusipe, Isaac McBridge, Jordan Wright, Ejike Obinna
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Scotty Pippen Jr. is an All-SEC player.
