It wasn’t too long ago where the Southeastern Conference was considered a bad basketball conference, and the SEC would be dominated by Kentucky. Now, everyone is a tough game, and it feels like SEC football with how deep the conference is.

Florida has been the team to beat over the past couple of years, but there have been many teams in the conference that have been good enough to win the National Championship. With that being said, this could be the best Florida team yet.

There is no better conference in history than the 2025 SEC, but now the question is how it can get back to that level

With eligibility in limbo, this preview assumes everyone on the school’s roster is good to go as-is for the upcoming season.

Preseason rankings:

1. Florida
2. Arkansas
3. Texas
4. Tennessee
5. Texas A&M
6. Alabama
7. Kentucky
8. Vanderbilt
9. Missouri
10. Oklahoma
11. Auburn
12. LSU
13. Georgia
14. Ole Miss
15. Mississippi State
16. South Carolina

Awards:

POY: Thomas Haugh (Florida)

Coach: Todd Golden (Florida)

Newcomer: Milan Momcilovic (Kentucky)

Freshman: Jordan Smith Jr. (Arkansas)

Defensive: Ruben Chinyelu (Florida)

6th man: Mikey Lewis (Texas)

First team:

• Thomas Haugh (Florida)
• Milan Momcilovic (Kentucky)
• Xzayvier Brown (Oklahoma)
• PJ Haggerty (Texas A&M)
• Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt)

Second team:

• Billy Richmond III (Arkansas)
• Alex Condon (Florida)
• Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State)
• Mark Mitchell (Missouri)
• Matas Vokietaitis (Texas)

Third team:

• Aden Holloway (Alabama)
• Jordan Smith Jr. (Arkansas)
• Ruben Chinyelu (Florida)
• Juke Harris (Tennessee)
• Isaiah Johnson (Texas)

Alabama

Head coach: Nate Oats (8th season)

Alabama has been one of the most consistent SEC teams over the past decade. Part of that is through head coach Nate Oats always finding the guys he likes. He has stuck with guard Aden Holloway, who is going into year three with the Crimson Tide, and will likely be the star of the team this season.

There have been better Alabama rosters in the past, but the Crimson Tide will still be one of the toughest teams to play. The non-conference slate starts off lightly, but the Players Era 16 and the December schedule will let Oats learn a lot about his team this year.

Projected starting five:

G: Aden Holloway

G: Amari Allen

G: Jaxon Richardson

F: Keitenn Bristow

F: Drew Fielder

Arkansas

Head coach: John Calipari (3rd season)

Head coach John Calipari at Arkansas will never seem normal, but he has had an underrated run at Arkansas so far. Transfers aren’t his thing, but acquired two great players in guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and center Cooper Bowser.

What Calipari does always have success in is his recruiting. Guard Jordan Smith Jr. is a future star, and it is hard to find a spot for him in the starting lineup, with the talent at the guard position, and guard JJ Andrews is just as good. There isn’t a better recruiting class in the SEC than Arkansas, but as the SEC has moved towards experience, Calipari and Arkansas keep doing the same thing. Experienced guard Billy Richmond III is back to lead the Razorbacks yet again, hoping to get back to the second weekend.

Projected starting five:

G: Jeremiah Wilkinson

G: Jordan Smith Jr.

G: Billy Richmond III

F: JJ Andrews

F: Cooper Bowser

Auburn

Head coach: Steven Pearl (2nd season)

It was a disastrous first year at the helm for head coach Steven Pearl, missing the tournament after being the first overall seed in 2025. Returning are guards Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, the only players returning for the Tigers. That may be a good thing for Auburn, as the chemistry was never right.

The Tigers transfers will make or break the team this year. Forwards Thomas Dowd and Adam Olsen were both exceptional in the Sun Belt Conference, and guard Owen Freeman is due for a bounce back year. Middle of November matchups with Arizona and the Players Era Eight will be great tests for a fresh Auburn roster.

Projected starting five:

G: Tahaad Pettiford

G: Kevin Overton

G: Adam Olsen

F: Thomas Dowd

F: Owen Freeman

Florida

Head coach: Todd Golden (5th season)

Florida didn’t need to add anyone, they already had the best team in the SEC.

There isn’t a team out there that has better forwards than the Gators, and they earned the AP preseason No. 1 ranking because of it. From Thomas Haugh, to Alex Condon to Rueben Chinyelu for the third straight season. This group has won a National Championship and was a No. 1 seed, getting upset by Iowa in the second round a season ago.

The guards were a slight issue last season, and that could be the downfall this season, if there is one. It isn’t the most challenging non-conference schedule, except for when Florida hosts Duke on Dec. 1. An undefeated season isn’t totally impossible.

Projected starting five:

G: Boogie Fland

G: Denzel Aberdeen

F: Thomas Haugh

F: Alex Condon

F: Reuben Chinyelu

Georgia

Head coach: Mike White (5th season)

Guards Blue Cain and Marcus Millender, as well as forward Kanon Catchings are back, but depth will be a big question for the Bulldogs. Regardless, it has been quite the turnaround for Georgia basketball under head coach Mike White, now being a tournament regular, but being blown out in each of its last two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Guard Freddie Dilione V rounds out the back court, but the front court will struggle. If James Scott or Kareem Stagg can bring upside, the Bulldogs will be just fine, but if they can’t, it will be a long season.

Projected starting five:

G: Marcus Millender

G: Blue Cain

G: Freddie Dilione V

F: Kanon Catchings

F: James Scott

Kentucky

Head coach: Mark Pope (3rd season)

Kentucky has gone all in on the transfers under head coach Mark Pope. The players the Wildcats wanted to retain are gone, but the cavalry has arrived in the form of forward Milan Momcilovic, one of the best players in the country last season. Momcilovic shot an unfathomable 49% from 3-point range last season, and for a team that may struggle from deep, that will be an important number for Kentucky this year. Center Malachi Moreno is back as well, who was one of the best freshmen to return for his sophomore season.

Traditional rivals, including Louisville, North Carolina and Indiana is what the non-conference schedule for the Wildcats will entail. There are more buy games for Kentucky than usual, which will certainly be beneficial for building team chemistry as the gauntlet of the SEC awaits.

Projected starting five:

G: Zoom Diallo

G: Kam Williams

F: Milan Momcilovic

F: Alex Wilkins

F: Malachi Moreno

LSU

Head coach: Will Wade (1st season)

The question for LSU all offseason, and going into this year, is who is eligible for the Tigers. There still won’t be that many on the roster, but it would be a fine team with everyone able to play.

Guards Abdi Bashir Jr., Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark will be difficult to handle for any SEC opponent, and forward Mo Dioubate will be a threat on the interior, but the obvious question is the depth. There are a ton of freshmen on the roster, and some of them will be given big roles with the lack of roster depth.

Projected starting five:

G: Skyy Clark

G: Donovan Dent

G: Abdi Bashir Jr.

F: Mo Dioubate

F: Brice Dessert

Mississippi State

Head coach: Chris Jans (5th season)

The question for the Bulldogs will be how much guard Josh Hubbard can do on his own. He is a special player, but once again Mississippi State has had to replace the team around him. Someone who can help is guard TJ Simpkins, who averaged nearly 10 points per game last season at Seton Hall.

It is hard to find the depth on the Mississippi State roster, but Hubbard himself is one of the best in the league, and if the Bulldogs want to have success this season, he will have the challenge for the scoring title in the SEC and nationally. The Battle 4 Atlantis against similar teams will be a good judgement of where the Bulldogs sit.

Missouri

Head coach: Dennis Gates (5th season)

Getting back guard/forward Mark Mitchell and guard Trent Pierce is going to be vital for Missouri this season, with the two combining for over 28 points per game. Besides the two of them, the Tigers are deep this season. Guard Jason Crowe Jr. is one of the top recruits in the country, and experienced guards Jordan Crawford and Kennard Davis Jr. should help guide Missouri to a high finish in the SEC. They also have sixth year guy CJ Gunn who is eligible for now, adding another great guard into the mix.

The front court has transfer forwards Ja’Mier Jones and Bryson Tiller on top of Mitchell. With a November slate that can be handled, Missouri should be 9-0 before hosting Kansas, one of its biggest rivals. Head coach Dennis Gates potentially has his best team since his first year, and obviously, eligibility plays a big role here, but if everyone is able to play, the Tigers will be sneaky.

Projected starting five:

G: Trent Pierce

G: Jason Crowe Jr.

G: Mark Mitchell

F: Ja’Mier Jones

F: Bryson Tiller

Oklahoma

Head coach: Porter Moser (6th season)

The Sooners had a stretch of nine consecutive losses last season, which is a hole impossible for any team to get out of, but were able to finish the season strongly, including a championship appearance in the College Basketball Crown. The team this year should be much improved, starting with guard Xzayvier Brown, who returns to Oklahoma after averaging 15.4 points per game in 2025-26.

It should be one of the best rosters at Oklahoma for head coach Porter Moser, who spent the summer adding transfer guards BJ Edwards and Pop Isaacs Jr. With a non-conference slate that doesn’t seem too threatening, as well as an expanded NCAA Tournament, a trip to the dance should be the minimum for the Sooners.

Projected starting five:

G: Pop Isaacs Jr.

G: Xzayvier Brown

G: BJ Edwards

F: Tae Davis

F: Derrion Reid

Ole Miss

Head coach: Chris Beard (4th season)

Guards Patton Pinkins and Ilias Kamardine will have to be great for a weak Ole Miss roster if the Rebels want to compete in the SEC this season. There is a lot of depth in the front court, but the depth in the back court may be a problem if those two don’t step up. Transfer guard Adam Clark will help, but can’t be the only one.

In terms of the forward group, there are a lot of players who can all have great seasons, but they are all newcomers. Santiago Trouet averaged 8.1 points per game at Arizona State, Roman Siulepa averaged 10 at Pittsburgh and Corey Stephenson had 18 a game at FIU. There are also forwards in Micah Handlogten and Dasear Haskins who will get playing time, and can be reliable options. When head coach Chris Beard figures out the rotation, there could be something brewing in Oxford, Mississippi

Projected starting five:

G: Adam Clark

G: Patton Pinkins

G: Ilias Kamardine

F: Roman Siulepa

F: Santiago Trouet

South Carolina

Head coach: Lamont Paris (5th season)

It could be a long season for South Carolina. There isn’t anyone returning, and the players that the Gamecocks acquired in the portal are lackluster. Head coach Lamont Paris is already on the hot seat, and now has his work cut out for him even more.

The two players that will be good for South Carolina are guard Kory Mincy and forward Camden Heide. Mincy has produced at Presbyterian and George Mason, and now takes his talents to the SEC. The Acrisure Series against USC and Arizona State will be an early indicator on how good the Gamecocks will be.

Projected starting five:

G: Kory Mincy

G: Shane Blakeney

F: Davion Hannah

F: Camden Heide

F: Alex Bieliauskas

Tennessee

Head coach: Rick Barnes (11th season)

It is another season where transfers play a big role for Tennessee. This season is unlike any other roster head coach Rick Barnes has assembled in Knoxville, where the offense will be what is relied on. The Volunteers have a big three of transfer guards this year, with Dai Dai Ames, Juke Harris and Terrance Hill Jr. All three are great players, and all have plenty of different skill sets that Barnes can use.

Forward Miles Rubin will be relied on to bring size and experience to the front court. It is a veteran Tennessee team, which is normal, but it may be the most skilled offensive team under Barnes.

Projected starting five:

G: Terrance Hill Jr.

G: Dai Dai Ames

G: Juke Harris

F: Jalen Haralson

F: Miles Rubin

Texas

Head coach: Sean Miller (2nd season)

Texas made the Sweet Sixteen in the first year under head coach Sean Miller, and have loaded up this season, trying to get back to the second weekend. Freshman forward Marcus Spears Jr. is one of the best in the country, and forward Matas Vokietaitis is back for another year for the Longhorns.

Guards Isaiah Johnson, Mikey Lewis, David Punch and Elyjah Freeman fill out the back court, one of the strongest units in the SEC. The non-conference isn’t threatening for a team like this, and will only need a couple wins against power conference opponents to be a safe NCAA Tournament participant.

Projected starting five:

G: Isaiah Johnson

G: David Punch

G: Elyjah Freeman

F: Marcus Spears Jr

F: Matas Vokietaitis

Texas A&M

Head coach: Bucky McMillan (2nd season)

After a successful first season under head coach Bucky McMillan, Texas A&M reloaded with a plethora of transfer guards built to run the exotic McMillan system. Forward Mackenzie Mgbako is back after playing just seven games last season, but he should be one of the Aggies most reliable pieces.

It is an impressive back court for Texas A&M with guards Jordan Pope and PJ Haggerty headed to College Station. Haggerty is the big name, averaging 23.4 points per game at Kansas State last year, while being named AP second team All-America in 2025 at Memphis. It is his fifth school in five years, but he has been special at all of his stops.

There are eligibility concerns for guard Rylan Griffen, but Texas A&M will still be good without him. The only question is how far this team can go.

Projected starting five:

G: Jordan Pope

G: Jalen Reece

G: PJ Haggerty

F: Mackenzie Mgbako

F: Jalen Shelley

Vanderbilt

Head coach: Mark Byington (3rd season)

Vanderbilt has become a force in the SEC under head coach Mark Byington, and was a half court heave away from making the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The player that just missed that shot, guard Tyler Tanner, is back, and is one of the favorites for all of the National Player of the Year awards.

The question for the Commodores will be if anyone can replace the production from last year. Tanner won’t slow up, but the question of which transfer is going to play the biggest part is notable. Forwards Sebastian Williams-Adams, Berke Buyuktuncel and Bangot Dak will all be solid options for the Commodores.

The non-conference schedule presents a lot of opportunities for the Commodores to figure things out against power conference opponents, but there are also a lot of beatable power opponents.

Projected starting five:

G: Tyler Tanner

G: TO Barrett

F: Sebastian Williams-Adams

F: Berke Buyuktuncel

F: Bangor Dak