Summer time means a look ahead to next season!
Each week moving forward, we will preview at least one conference in college basketball from soup to nuts.
Check below for today’s breakdown on the SEC.
SEC Preseason Power Rankings
1. Florida
Projected Starting 5:
G Xaivian Lee
G Boogie Fland
F Thomas Haugh
F Alex Condon
C Reuben Chinyelu
Projected Bench: CJ Ingram, Micah Handlogten, Olivier Rioux, Alex Lloyd, Isaiah Brown, Urban Klavzar, AJ Brown
Key Newcomers: Alex Lloyd, CJ Ingram, Xaivian Lee (Princeton), AJ Brown (Ohio), Boogie Fland (Arkansas)
Key Losses: Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, Alijah Martin, Denzel Aberbeen
2. Arkansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Darius Acuff
G DJ Wagner
G Karter Knox
F Trevon Brazile
C Malique Ewin
Projected Bench: Isaiah Sealy, Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond, Nick Pringle, Elmir Dzafic, Paulo Semedo
Key Newcomers: Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, Isaiah Sealy, Nick Pringle (South Carolina), Malique Ewin (Florida State), Elmir Dzafic, Paulo Semedo
Key Losses: Jonas Aidoo, Boogie Fland, Johnell Davis, Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic
3. Kentucky
Projected Starting 5:
G Jaland Lowe
G Denzel Aberdeen
G Otega Oweh
F Mouhamed Dioubate
C Jayden Quaintance
Projected Bench: Trent Noah, Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, Kam Williams, Brandon Garrison, Andrija Jelavic, Collin Chandler, Reece Potter, Brayden Hawthorne
Key Newcomers: Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, Kam Williams (Tulane), Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), Andrija Jelavic, Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), Reece Potter (Miami OH), Brayden Hawthorne
Key Losses: Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Andrew Carr, Amari Williams, Jaxson Robinson
4. Auburn
Projected Starting 5:
G Tahaad Pettiford
G Kevin Overton
F Abdul Bashir
F Keyshawn Hall
C KeShawn Murphy
Projected Bench: Simon Walker, Kaden Magwood, Sebastian Williams-Adams, Emeka Opurum, Elyjah Freeman, Filip Jovic
Key Newcomers: Sebastian Williams-Adams, Kaden Magwood, Simon Walker, Abdul Bashir (JUCO), Keyshawn Hall (UCF), KeShawn Murphy (Mississippi State), Emeka Opurum (JUCO), Kevin Overton (Texas Tech), Elyjah Freeman (D2), Filip Jovic
Key Losses: Johni Broome, Miles Kelly, Chris Moore, Denver Jones, Chaney Johnson, Dylan Cardwell, Chad Baker-Mazara
5. Alabama
Projected Starting 5:
G Aden Holloway
G LaBaron Philon
G Jalil Bethea
F Taylor Bol Bowen
C Aidan Sherrell
Projected Bench: Houston Mallette, Noah Williamson, Davion Hannah, London Jemison, Amari Allen, Keitenn Bristow, Latrell Wrightsell, Collins Onyejaka
Key Newcomers: Davion Hannah, London Jemison, Amari Allen, Noah Williamson (Bucknell), Taylor Bol Bowen (Florida State), Jalil Bethea (Miami), Keitenn Bristow (Tarleton State)
Key Losses: Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi, Chris Youngblood, Mouhamed Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson, Derrion Reid, Collins Onyejaka
6. Tennessee
Projected Starting 5:
G Ja’Kobi Gillespie
G Amaree Abram
F Nate Ament
F Jaylen Carey
C Felix Okpara
Projected Bench: Bishop Boswell, Dewayne Brown II, Troy Henderson, Amari Evans, JP Estrella, Cade Phillips, Clarence Massamba
Key Newcomers: Amari Evans, Dewayne Brown II, Troy Henderson, Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Maryland), Jaylen Carey (Vanderbilt), Nate Ament, Amaree Abram (Louisiana Tech), Clarence Massamba
Key Losses: Chaz Lanier, Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack, Igor Milicic, Zakai Zeigler
7. Texas
Projected Starting 5:
G Tramon Mark
G Simeon Wilcher
G Chendall Weaver
F Dailyn Swain
C Matas Vokietaitis
Projected Bench: John Clark, Nic Codie, Cam Heide, Lassina Traore, Jordan Pope, Lewis Obiora, Declan Duru
Key Newcomers: John Clark, Dailyn Swain (Xavier), Cam Heide (Purdue), Matas Vokietaitis (Florida Atlantic), Lassina Traore (Xavier), Simeon Wilcher (St. John’s), Lewis Obiorah, Declan Duru
Key Losses: Tre Johnson, Jayson Kent, Julian Larry, Tramon Mark, Ze’Rik Onyema, Arthur Kaluma, Kadin Shedrick
8. Mississippi State
Projected Starting 5:
G Josh Hubbard
G Jayden Epps
F Shawn Jones
F Achor Achor
C Quincy Ballard
Projected Bench: King Grace, Jamarion Davis-Fleming, Cameren Paul, Gai Chol, Amier Ali, Tee Bartlett, Ja’Borri McGhee, Brandon Walker, Dellquan Warren, Sergej Macura
Key Newcomers: King Grace, Tee Bartlett, Jamarion Davis-Fleming, Cameren Paul, Chol Machot, Ja’Borri McGhee (UAB), Quincy Ballard (Wichita State), Amier Ali (Arizona State), Achor Achor (Kansas State), Jayden Epps (Georgetown), Brandon Walker (Montana State), Sergej Macura
Key Losses: Claudell Harris, Cameron Matthews, RJ Melendez, Kanye Clary, Michael Nwoko, Riley Kugel, KeShawn Murphy
9. Ole Miss
Projected Starting 5:
G Koren Johnson
G AJ Storr
G Ilias Kamardine
F Malik Dia
C James Scott
Projected Bench: Augusto Cassia, Travis Perry, Eduardo Klafke, Tylis Jordan, Patton Pinkins, Niko Bundalo, Kezza Giffa, Corey Chest, Hobert Grayson
Key Newcomers: James Scott (Louisville), Travis Perry (Kentucky), AJ Storr (Kansas), Koren Johnson (Louisville), Augusto Cassia (Butler), Corey Chest (LSU), Tylis Jordan, Patton Pinkins, Niko Bundalo, Ilias Kamardine, Kezza Giffa (High Point), Hobert Grayson (JUCO)
Key Losses: Sean Pedulla, Jaemyn Brakefield, Matthew Murrell, Jaylen Murray, Dre Davis
10. Texas A&M
Projected Starting 5:
G Pop Isaacs
G Marcus Hill
G Rylan Griffen
F Mackenzie Mgbako
C Federiko Federiko
Projected Bench: Jamie Vinson, Zach Clemence, Jacari Lane, Josh Holloway, Jeremiah Green, Ruben Dominguez, Rashaun Agee (pending NCAA clearance)
Key Newcomers: Pop Isaacs (Creighton), Federiko Federiko (Texas Tech), Rylan Griffen (Kansas), Mackenzie Mgbako (Texas A&M), Marcus Hill (NC State), Jamie Vinson (Texas), Zach Clemence (Kansas), Jacari Lane (North Alabama), Josh Holloway (Samford), Jeremiah Green, Ruben Dominguez, Rashaun Agee (USC)
Key Losses: Wade Taylor IV, Zhuric Phelps, Henry Coleman, Pharrel Payne, Manny Obaseki, Solomon Washington
11. Missouri
Projected Starting 5:
G Anthony Robinson
G Sebastian Mack
F Jevon Porter
F Mark Mitchell
C Shawn Phillips
Projected Bench: T.O. Barrett, Aaron Rowe, Nicholas Randall, Trent Pierce, Annor Boateng, Luke Northweather, Jacob Crews, Trent Burns, Jayden Stone
Key Newcomers: Aaron Rowe, Nicholas Randall, Jevon Porter (LMU), Sebastian Mack (UCLA), Luke Northweather (Oklahoma), Shawn Phillips (Arizona State), Jayden Stone (West Virginia)
Key Losses: Tamar Bates, Tony Perkins, Caleb Grill, Josh Gray, Marques Warrick, Aidan Shaw, Payton Marshall
12. Oklahoma
Projected Starting 5:
G Xzayvier Brown
G Nijel Pack
F Derrion Reid
F Tae Davis
C Mohamed Wague
Projected Bench: Dayton Forsythe, Jeff Nwanko, Kuol Atak, Kai Rogers, Alec Blair, Andreas Holst, Jadon Jones
Key Newcomers: Kai Rogers, Alec Blair, Andreas Holst, Xzayvier Brown (St. Joe’s), Nijel Pack (Miami), Tae Davis (Notre Dame), Derrion Reid (Alabama)
Key Losses: Jeremiah Fears, Kobe Elvis, Duke Miles, Jalon Moore, Brycen Goodine, Sam Godwin, Kobe Elvis
13. Vanderbilt
Projected Starting 5:
G Frankie Collins
G Duke Miles
G Tyler Nickel
F Tyler Harris
F Devin McGlockton
Projected Bench: Tyler Tanner, AK Okereke, Mike James, Jalen Washington, Mason Nicholson, Jaylon-Dean Vines, Jayden Leverett, Chandler Bing
Key Newcomers: Frankie Collins (TCU), Tyler Harris (Washington), AK Okereke (Cornell), Duke Miles (Oklahoma), Mike James (NC State), Jalen Washington (North Carolina), Mason Nicholson (Jacksonville State), Jaylon-Dean Vines, Jayden Leverett, Chandler Bing
Key Losses: Jason Edwards, A.J. Hoggard, Jaylen Carey, Chris Manon
14. Georgia
Projected Starting 5:
G Jeremiah Wilkinson
G Blue Cain
F Kanon Catchings
F Dylan James
C Somto Cyril
Projected Bench: Justin Abson, Kareem Stagg, Jackson McVey, Justin Bailey, Jake Wilkins, Jordan Ross, Marcus Millender
Key Newcomers: Jake Wilkins, Kareem Stagg, Jackson McVey, Jeremiah Wilkinson (Cal), Justin Bailey (Wofford), Kanon Catchings (BYU), Jordan Ross (Saint Mary’s), Marcus Millender (UTSA)
Key Losses: Asa Newell, Tyrin Lawrence, Dakota Leffew, Silas Demary Jr., RJ Godfrey, De’Shayne Montgomery
15. LSU
Projected Starting 5:
G Dedan Thomas
G Ron Zipper
F Marquel Sutton
F Jalen Reed
C Mike Nwoko
Projected Bench: Max McKinnon, Rashad King, Rob Miller, PJ Carter, Pablo Tamba, Mazi Mosley, Jalen Reece, Matt Gilhool
Key Newcomers: Mazi Mosley, Jalen Reece, Matt Gilhool, Dedan Thomas (UNLV), Mike Nwoko (Mississippi State), Rashad King (Northeastern), Max McKinnon (Portland), Marquel Sutton (Omaha), PJ Carter (Memphis), Pablo Tamba (UC Davis), Ron Zipper
Key Losses: Cam Carter, Derek Fountain, Jordan Sears, Tyrell Ward, Corey Chest, Mike Williams, Vyctorius Miller
16. South Carolina
Projected Starting 5:
G Meechie Johnson
G Mike Sharavjamts
G Myles Stute
F Elijah Strong
C Christ Essandoko
Projected Bench: Cam Scott, Jordan Butler, Kobe Knox, Nordin Kapic, Eli Ellis, Ezequias Walker, Grant Polk, Abu Yarmah
Key Newcomers: Meechie Johnson (Ohio State), Kobe Knox (South Florida), Mike Sharavjamts (Utah), Elijah Strong (Boston College), Christ Essandoko (Providence), Nordin Kapic (UC San Diego), Eli Ellis, Ezequias Walker, Grant Polk, Abu Yarmah
Key Losses: Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamarii Thomas, Nick Pringle, Zachary Davis
All-SEC Preseason First-Team
Mark Mitchell, Missouri
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Boogie Fland, Florida
SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
SEC Preseason Sleeper
Texas A&M
10 Impact SEC Freshmen
*In no particular order
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Darius Acuff, Arkansas
Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
CJ Ingram, Florida
Jasper Johnson, Kentucky
Malachi Moreno, Kentucky
Brayden Hawthorne, Kentucky
London Jemison, Alabama
Kaden Magwood, Auburn
Niko Bundalo, Ole Miss
15 Impact SEC Transfers
*In no particular order
Xaivian Lee, Florida (Princeton)
Boogie Fland, Florida (Arkansas)
Jaland Lowe, Kentucky (Pitt)
Denzel Aberdeen, Kentucky (Florida)
Mouhamed Dioubate, Kentucky (Alabama)
Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky (Arizona State)
Keyshawn Hall, Auburn (UCF)
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee (Maryland)
Dailyn Swain, Texas (Xavier)
Jayden Epps, Mississippi State (Georgetown)
Pop Isaacs, Texas A&M (Creighton)
Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M (Indiana)
AJ Storr, Ole Miss (Kansas)
Dedan Thomas, LSU (UNLV)
Meechie Johnson, South Carolina (Ohio State)
15 Under-The-Radar SEC Transfers
*In no particular order
Nick Pringle, Arkansas (South Carolina)
Malique Ewin, Arkansas (Florida State)
Kevin Overton, Auburn (Texas Tech)
KeyShawn Murphy, Auburn (Mississippi State)
Noah Williamson, Alabama (Bucknell)
Jalil Bethea, Alabama (Miami)
Simeon Wilcher, Texas (St. John’s)
Lassina Traore, Texas (Xavier)
Rylan Griffen, Texas A&M (Kansas)
Federiko Federiko, Texas A&M (Texas Tech)
James Scott, Ole Miss (Louisville)
Sebastian Mack, Missouri (UCLA)
Xzayvier Brown, Oklahoma (St. Joe’s)
Tae Davis, Oklahoma (Notre Dame)
Jeremiah Wilkinson, Georgia (Cal)
10 SEC Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible to be on a breakout list if he has previously averaged in double figures
Aiden Sherrell, Alabama
Karter Knox, Arkansas
Thomas Haugh, Florida
Isaiah Brown, Florida
Somto Cyril, Georgia
Collin Chandler, Kentucky
Anthony Robinson, Missouri
Mohamed Wague, Oklahoma
Felix Okpara, Tennessee
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
Leftovers
- The Breakfast Buffet: Brayden Burries, Nebraska, UCLA’s defense needs to improve
- The Breakfast Buffet: Melvin Council, Kentucky is getting healthy, Chad Baker-Mazara
- The Breakfast Buffet: Darius Acuff/Christian Anderson, Darrion Williams, Arizona/Alabama
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (12/12): Guest — Alabama’s Nate Oats
- BRACKET BREAKDOWN: December 12th
