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. Texas A&M
Projected Starting 5:
G Wade Taylor IV
G Tyrece Radford
G Manny Obaseki
F Henry Coleman
C Julius Marble
Projected Bench: Solomon Washington, Hayden Hefner, Jordan Williams, Bryce Lindsay, Khalen Robinson, Andersson Garcia, Jace Carter, Eli Lawrence, Andre Gordon
Key Newcomers: Bryce Lindsay, Jace Carter (UIC), Eli Lawrence (Middle Tennessee), Wildens Leveque (UMass)
Key Losses: Dexter Dennis
2. Arkansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Davonte Davis
G Tramon Mark
G Khalif Battle
F Trevon Brazile
C Makhi Mitchell
Projected Bench: Jalen Graham, Joseph Pinion, Baye Fall, Keyon Menifield, Layden Blocker, Jeremiah Davenport, El Ellis
Key Newcomers: Baye Fall, Layden Blocker, Keyon Menifield (Washington), Tramon Mark (Houston), Khalif Battle (Temple), Jeremiah Davenport (Cincinnati), El Ellis (Louisville)
Key Losses: Nick Smith Jr., Anthony Black, Ricky Council IV, Kamani Johnson, Makhel Mitchell, Jordan Walsh
3. Tennessee
Projected Starting 5:
G Zakai Zeigler
G Santiago Vescovi
G Josiah-Jordan James
F Tobe Awaka
C Jonas Aidoo
Projected Bench: Freddie Dilione, JP Estrella, Cameron Carr, Cade Phillips, Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack, Dalton Knecht
Key Newcomers: JP Estrella, Cameron Carr, Cade Phillips, Jordan Gainey (USC Upstate), Dalton Knecht (Northern Colorado)
Key Losses: Tyreke Key, Julian Phillips, Olivier Nkamhoua
4. Kentucky
Projected Starting 5:
G Robert Dillingham
G DJ Wagner
G Antonio Reeves
G Justin Edwards
C Tre Mitchell
Projected Bench: Reed Sheppard, Adou Thiero, Ugonna Onyenso, Jordan Burks, Joey Hart, Aaron Bradshaw (injured), Zvonimir Ivisic
Key Newcomers: DJ Wagner, Robert Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Bradshaw, . Justin Edwards, Jordan Burks, Joey Hart, Zvonimir Ivisic
Key Losses: Cason Wallace, Jacon Toppin, Oscar Tshiebwe, Chris Livingston
5. Mississippi State
Projected Starting 5:
G Shakeel Moore
G Dashawn Davis
F D.J. Jeffries
F Cameron Matthews
C Tolu Smith
Projected Bench: Gai Chol, Adrian Myers, Jaquan Scott, Lerenzo Fort III, KeShawn Murphy, Shawn Jones Jr., Josh Hubbard, Jimmy Bell, Andrew Taylor
Key Newcomers: Gai Chol, Adrian Myers, Jaquan Scott, Lerenzo Fort III, Josh Hubbard, Jimmy Bell (West Virginia), Andrew Taylor (Marshall)
Key Losses: Tyler Stevenson, Eric Reed
6. Auburn
Projected Starting 5:
G Aden Holloway
G K.D. Johnson
G Chad Baker-Mazara
F Jaylin Williams
C Johni Broome
Projected Bench: Tre Donaldson, Dylan Cardwell, Lior Berman, Chris Moore, Chaney Johnson, Denver Jones
Key Newcomers: Aden Holloway, Denver Jones (FIU), Chaney Johnson (D2), Chad Baker-Mazara (JUCO)
Key Losses: Zep Jasper, Yohan Traore, Chance Westry, Wendell Green Jr., Allen Flanigan
7. Alabama
Projected Starting 5:
G Mark Sears
G Aaron Estrada
F Rylan Griffen
F Grant Nelson
C Nick Pringle
Projected Bench: Sam Walters, Mouhamed Dioubate, Kris Parker, Latrell Wrightsell, Jarin Stevenson, Davin Cosby, Mohamed Wague
Key Newcomers: Sam Walters, Mouhamed Dioubate, Kris Parker, Aaron Estrada (Hofstra), Latrell Wrightsell (Cal State Fullerton), Jarin Stevenson, Grant Nelson (North Dakota State), Davin Cosby, Mohamed Wague (West Virginia)
Key Losses: Brandon Miller, Noah Gurley, Dom Welch, Nimari Burnett, Jaden Bradley, Noah Clowney
8. Missouri
Projected Starting 5
G Nick Honor
G Caleb Grill
G John Tonje
G Sean East
F Noah Carter
Projected Bench: Aidan Shaw, Mabor Majak, Jordan Butler, Trent Pierce, Anthony Robinson, Connor Vanover, Jesus Carrlero, Tamar Bates, Curt Lewis, Kaleb Brown
Key Newcomers: Jordan Butler, Trent Pierce, Anthony Robinson, John Tonje (Colorado State), Tamar Bates (Indiana), Caleb Grill (Iowa State), Connor Vanover (Oral Roberts), Jesus Carralero (Campbell), Curt Lewis (JUCO)
Key Losses: Tre Gomillion, D’Moi Hodge, Deandre Gholston, Kobe Brown
9. Ole Miss
Projected Starting 5:
G Jaylen Murray
G Matthew Murrell
G Allen Flanigan
G Jaemyn Brakefield
C Jamarion Sharp
Projected Bench: Brandon Murray (needs NCAA waiver), Moussa Cisse (needs NCAA waiver), Austin Nunez, Jacob Gazzo, TJ Caldwell, Rashaud Marshall, Cameron Barnes
Key Newcomers: Jaylen Murray (St. Peter’s), Austin Nunez (Ole Miss), Moussa Cisse (Oklahoma State), Brandon Murray (Georgetown), Jamarion Sharp (Western Kentucky), Allen Flanigan (Auburn), Jacob Gazzo, Rashaud Marshall, Cameron Barnes
Key Losses: Amaree Abram, Daeshun Ruffin
10. Florida
Projected Starting 5
G Zyon Pullin
G Walter Clayton
G Riley Kugel
F Tyrese Samuel
C Micah Handlogten
Projected Bench: Walton Clayton Jr., Julian Rishwain, EJ Jarvis, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Denzel Aberdeen, Aleks Szymczyk, Will Richard
Key Newcomers: Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Zyon Pullin (UC Riverside), Julian Rishwain (San Francisco), Tyrese Samuel (Seton Hall), Walter Clayton Jr. (Iona), Micah Handlogten (Marshall), EJ Jarvis (Yale)
Key Losses: Colin Castleton, Kyle Lofton, Kowacie Reeves, Myreon Jones
11. LSU
Projected Starting 5
G Trae Hannibal
G Jordan Wright
F Tyrell Ward
F Daimion Collins
C Will Baker
Projected Bench: Jalen Cook (needs NCAA waiver), Corey Chest, Mike Williams, Hunter Dean, Derek Fountain, Jalen Reed, Mwani Wilkinson, Carlos Stewart
Key Newcomers: Corey Chest, Mike Williams, Jalen Cook (Tulane), Jordan Wright (Vanderbilt), Will Baker (Nevada), Hunter Dean (GW), Daimion Collins (Kentucky), Carlos Stewart (Santa Clara)
Key Losses: KJ Williams, Cam Hayes, Adam Miller, Trae Hannibal
12. Vanderbilt
Projected Starting 5
G Ezra Manjon
G Tyrin Lawrence
G/F Evan Taylor
F Colin Smith
C Ven-Allen Lubin
Projected Bench: Tasos Kamateros, Jason Rivera-Torres, Isaiah West, Carter Lang, Malik Presley, JaQualon Roberts, Paul Lewis, Lee Dort
Key Newcomers: Evan Taylor (Lehigh), Ven-Allen Lubin (Notre Dame), Tasos Kamateros (South Dakota), Jason Rivera-Torres, Isaiah West, Carter Lang, Malik Presley, JaQualon Roberts
Key Losses: Liam Robbins, Jordan Wright, Myles Stute, Trey Thomas
13. Georgia
Projected Starting 5
G Noah Thomasson
G Jabri Abdur-Rahim
G RJ Melendez
F Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe
C Russel Tchewa
Projected Bench: Dylan James, Mari Jordan, Frank Anselem, Silas Demery Jr., Blue Cain, Jalen Deloach, RJ Sunahara, Justin Hill
Key Newcomers: Dylan James, Silas Demery Jr., Mari Jordan, Blue Cain, RJ Melendez (Illinois), Noah Thomasson (Niagara), Russel Tchewa (South Florida), Jalen Deloach (VCU), RJ Sunahara (Division II)
Key Losses: Terry Roberts, Kario Oquendo, Braelen Bridges
14. South Carolina
Projected Starting 5
G Ta’Lon Cooper
G Meechie Johnson
G Jacobi Wright
F Myles Stute
C B.J. Mack
Projected Bench: Stephen Clark, Collin Murray-Boyles, Arden Conyers, Morris Ugusuk, Josh Gray, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Zachary Davis, Eli Sparkman, Ebrima Dibba, Austin Herro
Key Newcomers: Collin Murray-Boyles, Arden Conyers, Morris Ugusuk, Ta’Lon Cooper (Minnesota), B.J. Mack (Wofford), Myles Stute (Vanderbilt), Stephen Clark (The Citadel), Austin Herro
Key Losses: GG Jackson, Chico Carter, Hayden Brown
SEC Preseason First Team
Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi, Tennessee
Mark Sears, Alabama
Johni Broome, Auburn
Tolu Smith, Mississippi State
SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
SEC Preseason Sleeper
Ole Miss
5 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
Tobe Awaka, Tennessee
Rylan Griffen, Alabama
Nick Pringle, Alabama
Noah Carter, Missouri
Riley Kugel, Florida
10 SEC Impact Freshmen
*In no particular order
Baye Fall, Arkansas
Layden Blocker, Arkansas
JP Estrella, Tennessee
Sam Walters, Alabama
Jarin Stevenson, Alabama
Aden Holloway, Auburn
Justin Edwards, Kentucky
DJ Wagner, Kentucky
Robert Dillingham, Kentucky
Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
15 SEC Impact Transfers
*In no particular order
*Two-time transfers who have yet to be cleared by the NCAA are not eligible for this list
Keyon Menifeld, Arkansas (Washington)
Khalif Battle, Arkansas (Temple)
Tramon Mark, Arkansas (Houston)
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (Northern Colorado)
Tre Mitchell, Kentucky (West Virginia)
Aaron Estrada, Alabama (Hofstra)
Grant Nelson, Alabama (North Dakota State)
Andrew Taylor, Mississippi State (Marshall)
Jamarion Sharp, Ole Miss (Western Kentucky)
Allen Flanigan, Ole Miss (Auburn)
Tamar Bates, Missouri (Indiana)
John Tonje, Missouri (Colorado State)
Caleb Grill, Missouri (Iowa State)
Will Baker, LSU (Nevada)
Daimion Collins, LSU (Kentucky)
10 Impact Under-The-Radar Transfers
*In no particular order
*Two-time transfers who have yet to be cleared by the NCAA are not eligible for this list
Zyon Pullin, Florida (UC Riverside)
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida (Iona)
Tyrese Samuel, Florida (Seton Hall)
Micah Handlogten, Florida (Marshall)
Jeremiah Davenport, Arkansas (Cincinnati)
Chad Baker-Mazara, Auburn (JUCO)
Denver Jones, Auburn (FIU)
Noah Thomason, Georgia (Niagara)
RJ Melendez, Georgia (Illinois)
Ven-Allen Lubin, Vanderbilt (Notre Dame)
Leftovers
- Duke, Michigan finalizing agreement to play in Washington D.C. in February of 2026
- Saint Louis to participate in 2025 Acrisure Series
- List of early season tournaments for the 2025-26 college basketball season
- TCU set to replace Kansas as 4th team in 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational
- Colorado, Providence to begin home-and-home series in Boulder
