Summer time means a look ahead to next season!
Each week moving forward, we will preview one conference in college basketball from soup to nuts.
Check below for this week’s breakdown on the SEC.
SEC Preseason Power Rankings
1. Kentucky
Projected Starting 5:
G Sahvir Wheeler
G Cason Wallace
G Chris Livingston
F Jacob Toppin
C Oscar Tshiebwe
Projected Bench: CJ Fredrick, Daimion Collins, Lance Ware, Antonio Reeves
Key Losses: TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady, Davion Mintz, Bryce Hopkins, Keion Brooks
Key Newcomers: Chris Livingston, Cason Wallace, Antonio Reeves (Illinois State)
2. Tennessee
Projected Starting 5:
G Zakai Zeigler
G Santiago Vescovi
F Julian Phillips
F Josiah-Jordan James
C Olivier Nkamhoua
Projected Bench: Jonas Aidoo, BJ Edwards, Tyreke Key, Uros Plavsic, DJ Jefferson
Key Losses: Kennedy Chandler, John Fulkerson, Victor Bailey, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Justin Powell|
Key Newcomers: BJ Edwards, Tyreke Key (Indiana State), Julian Phillips, DJ Jefferson, BJ Edwards
3. Arkansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Anthony Black
G Davonte Davis
G Nick Smith
F Jordan Walsh
C Jalen Graham
Projected Bench: Kamani Johnson, Derrian Ford, Barry Dunning, Joseph Pinion, Trevon Brazile, Makhel Mitchell, Makhi Mitchell, Ricky Council
Key Losses: Chris Lykes, Au’Diese Toney, Trey Wade, JD Notae, Stanley Umude, Trey Wade, Khalen Robinson, Connor Vanover, Jaxon Robinson, Jaylin Williams
Key Newcomers: Nick Smith, Anthony Black, Jordan Walsh, Barry Dunning, Joseph Pinion, Trevon Brazile (Missouri), Jalen Graham (Arizona State), Makhel Mitchell (Rhode Island), Makhi Mitchell (Rhode Island), Ricky Council (Wichita State)
4. Auburn
Projected Starting 5:
G Wendell Green
G K.D. Johnson
F Allen Flanigan
F Johni Broome
C Yohan Traore
Projected Bench: Zep Jasper, Dylan Cardwell, Jaylin Williams, Chris Moore, Lior Berman, Babatunde Akingbola, Chris Moore, Chance Westry, Tre Donaldson
Key Losses: Jabari Smith, Walker Kessler, Devan Cambridge
Key Newcomers: Chance Westry, Tre Donaldson, Yohan Traore, Johni Broome (Morehead State)
5. Texas A&M
Projected Starting 5:
G Wade Taylor IV
G Dexter Dennis
G Tyrece Radford
G Manny Obaseki
F Henry Coleman
Projected Bench: Julius Marble, Ethan Henderson, Javonte Brown, Hayden Hefner, Solomon Washington, Erik Pratt, Jordan Williams, Jalen Johnson, Andersson Garcia, KK Robinson, Andre Gordon
Key Losses: Quenton Jackson, Aaron Cash, Hassan Diarra
Key Newcomers: Solomon Washington, Erik Pratt, Jordan Williams, Jalen Johnson (injury), Julius Marble (Michigan State), Andersson Garcia (Mississippi State), KK Robinson (Arkansas), Dexter Dennis (Wichita State)
6. Alabama
Projected Starting 5:
G Jaden Bradley
G Mark Sears
G Dominick Welch
F Brandon Miller
C Charles Bediako
Projected Bench: Noah Gurley, Darius Miles, Rylan Griffen, Noah Clowney, Nick Pringle, Nimari Burnett, Jahvon Quinerly (injured)
Key Losses: Keon Ellis, JD Davison, James Rojas, Alex Tchikou, Juwan Gary
Key Newcomers: Brandon Miller, Jaden Bradley, Rylan Griffen, Noah Clowney, Nick Pringle (JUCO), Nimari Burnett (injury), Mark Sears (Ohio), Dom Welch (St. Bonaventure)
7. Florida
Projected Starting 5:
G Kyle Lofton
G Myreon Jones
G Kowacie Reeves
F Alex Fudge
C Colin Castelton
Projected Bench: Will Richard, Denzel Aberdeen, Alex Klatsky, Niels Lane, Jason Jitohboh, CJ Felder, Riley Kugel
Key Losses: Phlan Fleming, Brandon McKissic, Anthony Duruji, Tyree Appleby
Key Newcomers: Denzel Aberdeen, Alex Fudge (LSU), Will Richard (Belmont), Trey Bonham (VMI), Kyle Lofton (St. Bonaventure), Riley Kugel
8. Ole Miss
Projected Starting 5:
G Daeshun Ruffin
G Tye Fagan
G Matthew Murrell
F Jaemyn Brakefield
C Theo Akwuba
Projected Bench: Robert Allen, James White, Jayveous McKinnis, Josh Mballa, Robert Cowherd, Amaree Abram, T.J. Caldwell, Malique Ewin
Key Losses: Jarkel Joiner, Nysier Brooks, Luis Rodriguez, Austin Crowley, Sammy Hunter
Key Newcomers: Theo Akwuba (Louisiana), Jayveous McKinnis (Jackson State), Josh Mballa (Buffalo), Robert Cowherd, Amaree Abram, T.J. Caldwell, Malique Ewin
9. Mississippi State
Projected Starting 5:
G Shakeel Moore
G Dashawn Davis
F D.J. Jeffries
F Cameron Matthews
C Tolu Smith
Projected Bench: Eric Reed, Jamel Horton, Will McNair, Kimani Hamilton, Martavious Russell, Keshawn Murphy, Tyler Stevenson, Shawn Jones
Key Losses: Iverson Molinar, Garrison Brooks, Derek Fountain, Rocket Watts, Andersson Garcia, Javian Davis, Cam Carter, Alden Applewhite
Key Newcomers: Eric Reed (SEMO), Jamel Horton (Albany), Will McNair (New Mexico State), Dashawn Davis (Oregon State), Kimani Hamilton, Martavious Russell, Tyler Stevenson (Southern Miss), Shawn Jones
10. LSU
Projected Starting 5:
G Justice Hill
G Adam Miller
F Mwani Wilkinson
F Derek Fountain
C KJ Williams
Projected Bench: Tyrell Ward, Shawn Phillips, Jalen Reed, Corneilous Williams, Trae Hannibal, Kendal Coleman, Justice Williams, Cam Hayes
Key Losses: Tari Eason, Darius Days, Xavier Pinson, Eric Gaines, Efton Reid, Alex Fudge, Shareef O’Neal
Key Newcomers: Tyrell Ward, Shawn Phillips, Jalen Reed, Corneilous Williams, KJ Williams (Murray State), Justice Hill (Murray State), Trae Hannibal (Murray State), Kendal Coleman (Northwestern State), Cam Hayes (NC State), Derek Fountain (Mississippi State)
11. Missouri
Projected Starting 5:
G Nick Honor
G Sean East
G Isiaih Mosley
F Kobe Brown
C Mohamed Diarra
Projected Bench: Ronnie DeGray, Kaleb Brown, D’Moi Hodge, Tre Gomillion, DeAndre Gholston, Noah Carter, Mabor Majak, Aidan Shaw
Key Losses: Javon Pickett, Amari Davis, Jarron Coleman, DaJuan Gordon, Trevon Brazile
Key Newcomers: Nick Honor (Clemson), Isiaih Mosley (Missouri State), D’Moi Hodge (Cleveland State), Tre Gomillion (Cleveland State), DeAndre Gholston (Milwaukee), Noah Carter (Northern Iowa), Mabor Majak (Cleveland State), Aidan Shaw, Mohamed Diarra (JUCO), Sean East (JUCO)
12. South Carolina
Projected Starting 5:
G Meechie Johnson
G Jacobi Wright
F Hayden Brown
F GG Jackson
C Josh Gray
Projected Bench: Ebrima Dibba (injured), Troy Boynton, Zachary Davis, Daniel Hankins-Sanford, Chico Carter, Tre-Vaughn Minott, Ja’Von Benson, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk
Key Losses: Jermaine Couisnard, Erik Stevenson, James Reese, Devin Carter, Wildens Leveque, Keyshawn Bryant, AJ Wilson, Brandon Martin, Ta’Quan Woodley
Key Newcomers: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (Illinois), Meechie Johnson (Ohio State), Ebrima Dibba (Coastal Carolina), Hayden Brown (The Citadel), Troy Boynton (Evansville), Zachary Davis, Daniel Hankins-Sanford, GG Jackson
13. Georgia
Projected Starting 5:
G Justin Hill
G Kario Oquendo
G Jabri-Abdur Rahim
F Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe
C Braelen Bridges
Projected Bench: Jabri-Abdur Rahim, Braelen Bridges, Jailyn Ingram, Jaxon Etter, Terry Roberts, Jusaun Holt, Kye-Ron Lindsay, Frank Anselem, Mardrez McBride
Key Losses: Aaron Cook, Noah Baumann, Christian Wright, Dalen Ridgnal, Tyon McMillan
Key Newcomers: Justin Hill (Longwood), Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe (Oklahoma State), Frank Anselem (Syracuse), Mardrez McBride (North Texas), Terry Roberts (Bradley), Jusaun Holt (Alabama), Kye-Ron Lindsay
14. Vanderbilt
Projected Starting 5:
G Ezra Manjon
G Trey Thomas
F Jordan Wright
F Myles Stute
C Liam Robbins
Projected Bench: Quentin Millora-Brown, Tyrin Lawrence, Lee Dort, Noah Shelby, Colin Smith, Malik Dia, Paul Lewis
Key Losses: Scotty Pippen Jr., Rodney Chatman, Jamaine Mann, Peyton Daniels, Shane Dezonie, Terren Frank, Drew Weikert
Key Newcomers: Ezra Manjon (UC Davis), Lee Dort, Noah Shelby, Colin Smith, Malik Dia, Paul Lewis
Preseason All-SEC First-Team
Sahvir Wheeler, Kentucky
Santiago Vescovi, Tennessee
GG Jackson, South Carolina
Colin Castelton, Florida
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
SEC Preseason Sleeper
Florida
15 Impact SEC Freshmen
*In no particular order
Nick Smith, Arkansas
Anthony Black, Arkansas
Jordan Walsh, Arkansas
Derrian Ford, Arkansas
Barry Dunning, Arkansas
Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Chris Livingston, Kentucky
Julian Phillips, Tennessee
Jaden Bradley, Alabama
Brandon Miller, Alabama
Yohan Traore, Auburn
Chance Westry, Auburn
Tyrell Ward, LSU
Jalen Reed, LSU
GG Jackson, South Carolina
15 Impact SEC Transfers
*In no particular order
Antonio Reeves, Kentucky (Illinois State)
CJ Fredrick, Kentucky (Iowa) *Coming off injury
Jalen Graham, Arkansas (Arizona State)
Ricky Council, Arkansas (Wichita State)
Johni Broome, Auburn (Morehead State)
Dexter Dennis, Texas A&M (Wichita State)
Julius Marble, Texas A&M (Michigan State)
Mark Sears, Alabama (Ohio)
Dominick Welch, Alabama (St. Bonaventure)
Kyle Lofton, Florida (St. Bonaventure)
Alex Fudge, Florida (LSU)
KJ Williams, LSU (Murray State)
Justice Hill, LSU (Murray State)
Cam Hayes, LSU (NC State)
Isiaih Mosley, Missouri (Missouri State)
10 Under-The-Radar SEC Transfers
*In no particular order
Trevon Brazile, Arkansas (Missouri)
Tyreke Key, Tennessee (Indiana State)
Nimari Burnett, Alabama (Texas Tech) *Coming off injury
Will Richard, Florida (Belmont)
Derek Fountain, LSU (Mississippi State)
Theo Akwuba, Ole Miss (Louisiana)
Dashawn Davis, Mississippi State (Oregon State)
Justin Hill, Georgia (Longwood)
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, Georgia (Oklahoma State)
Meechie Johnson, South Carolina (Ohio State)
10 SEC Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible to be a breakout player if he’s previously averaged in double figures
Jacob Toppin, Kentucky
Daimion Collins, Kentucky
Davonte Davis, Arkansas
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Olivier Nkamhoua, Tennessee
Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Manny Obaseki, Texas A&M
Charles Bediako, Alabama
Cameron Matthews, Mississippi State
Mwani Wilkinson, LSU
Leftovers
- Cincinnati, Dayton finalizing agreement to start home-and-home series this season at Fifth Third Arena
- Arizona State, Santa Clara to meet on 12/13 in Jack Jones Classic
- Matchups set for 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge
- CBS Sports Podcast (6/9) — Texas A&M’s Bucky McMillan
- Utah State, Memphis to start home-and-home series on February 14th in Logan
