The SEC launched its preseason predicted order of end on Monday forward of the 2024-25 faculty basketball season. Alabama was picked to win within the annual preseason ballot, and its star guard, Mark Sears, was given convention Participant of the 12 months honors after deciding to skip the 2024 NBA Draft and return to highschool.
The Crimson Tide are coming off their first Remaining 4 look at school historical past and return a bulk of the roster that obtained them there, together with star ahead Grant Nelson — the hero of Alabama’s Candy 16 victory over North Carolina. Alabama coach Nate Oats introduced in a strong switch portal haul, which incorporates guards Chris Youngblood (USF), Aden Holloway (Auburn), Houston Mallette. (Pepperdine), and massive man Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers).
Auburn was picked to complete second, adopted by Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas A&M. The Tigers are coming off a loss within the first spherical of the NCAA Match to Yale and produce again SEC Participant of the 12 months candidate Johni Broome.
Right here is the complete ballot, adopted by overrated and underrated observations from the anticipated order of end.
SEC preseason predicted order of end
Overrated: Texas
Predicted end: 7
Texas debuted at No. 16 within the AP Prime 25 ballot launched on Monday. The Longhorns, one in all 9 SEC groups ranked within the preliminary ballot, have been picked to complete seventh within the SEC of their inaugural season as a member.Â
Texas’ roster will not be wanting expertise. Coach Rodney Terry reloaded by including Jordan Pope (Oregon State), Tramon Mark (Arkansas) and Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State) through the switch portal. The Longhorns additionally welcome Tre Johnson, the No. 6 total recruit from the 2024 recruiting cycle, per 247Sports. For probably the most half, the SEC ballot seems to be fairly correct, however I would not depend out Kentucky or Ole Miss ending forward of Texas within the last standings.
Underrated: Georgia
Predicted end: 11
Georgia has one in all its finest basketball rosters in program historical past however nonetheless initiatives to complete No. 11 within the SEC due to convention depth. The headliner is five-star ahead Asa Newell, the No. 19 total participant within the 2024 recruiting cycle, in response to 247Sports. He’s Georgia’s third highest-ranked dedication within the 247Sports period — behind former five-star prospects Anthony Edwards and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — and a projected first-round decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.Â
Georgia coach Mike White additionally added former Vanderbilt star Tyrin Lawrence to the roster through the switch portal as a possible starter. The Bulldogs can be a well-liked dark-horse decide to make their first NCAA Match look since 2015.
Overrated: Arkansas
Predicted end: 4
John Calipari is now operating the ship in Fayetteville after spending the final 15 seasons because the coach at Kentucky. Calipari rebuilt the Razorbacks roster by using the switch portal and bringing some former recruits from his time at Kentucky together with him to his subsequent vacation spot. However it might be arduous for Calipari’s squad to stay as much as preseason expecations due to how good the SEC is top-to-bottom.Â
Arkansas debuted at No. 16 within the AP ballot. The headliner of Calipari’s switch portal class was former Florida Atlantic star Johnell Davis, the No. 1 participant within the CBS Sports activities Switch Rankings. Davis was the 2023-24 AAC co-Participant of the 12 months and will present Calipari with ample scoring, however for the Razorbacks to stay as much as the hype, one in all their newcomers (Karter Knox, Boogie Fland or Billy Richmond) might want to produce instantly. Arkansas can be an NCAA Match crew, however extra must go proper than improper for it to complete at or above its preseason billing.
Underrated: Kentucky
Predicted end: 8
Kentucky was tabbed to complete sixth in our SEC professional picks behind Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Arkansas. The Wildcats have been tabbed to complete eighth within the SEC preseason ballot regardless of debuting because the No. 23 within the AP ballot.Â
Kentucky, just like Arkansas, has plenty of query marks that include a brand-new roster and a first-year coach. Mark Pope needed to work quick to construct a roster after each scholarship participant from the 2023-24 season departed this system. Pope’s offense that emphasizes ball motion, chopping to the rim and capturing 3-pointers ought to assist them punch above their weight class within the SEC.
Preseason All-SEC First Group
Second Group
Third Group
Underrated: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles bypassed the 2024 NBA Draft to return to highschool for his sophomore yr, and that call may gain advantage not solely his South Carolina crew however his total draft inventory. Murray-Boyles averaged 10.4 factors, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists as a freshman, and he obtained higher because the season went alongside. He scored a career-high 31 factors in a win over Vanderbilt, which was a part of a streak that noticed the 6-foot-7 ahead rating a minimum of 16 factors in 4 consecutive video games. Murray-Boyles is South Carolina’s main returning scorer, and he ought to have extra alternatives to place up extra prolific offensive numbers.
Overrated: Zakai Zeigler, G, Tennessee
It is arduous to single out anybody on the five-player listing as a result of each participant on first-team All-SEC is arguably a top-50 participant within the sport, however Murray-Boyles must be the alternative if he has the breakout season most count on him to have. Zeigler is likely one of the finest defenders within the nation and averaged 6.1 assists final season en path to Tennessee reaching the Elite Eight for the second time in program historical past. His lack of scoring (11.8 PPG final season) may lead to different gamers — reminiscent of Murray-Boyles — getting the nod.