Tucker’s Preseason SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Part 4
Credit: University of Tennessee Athletics
By Tucker Harlin
This is the final installment of my preseason SEC basketball power rankings. Part 4 features the four teams I believe will finish highest in the league.
I’ve attached the links to the previous three parts at the bottom of this page if you would like to check them out.
4. ARKANSAS
The Hogs called John Calipari to Fayetteville to replace Eric Musselman, and with Calipari came the usual abundance of upper echelon high school prospects.
Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond all flipped to Arkansas once Calipari took the job. Following Cal from Lexington to Fayetteville are D.J. Wagner, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Adou Thiero, all of whom played for the Wildcats last season.
The two non-Kentucky transfers Arkansas brings in are Johnell Davis and Jonas Aidoo. Davis was instrumental to Florida Atlantic’s Final Four run two years ago while Aidoo was one of the most productive forwards at Tennessee
My big question with this group is if Cal’s method of acquiring the biggest names out of high school is a dated strategy.
He’s got a healthy mix of transfers on the team this year, but the one and dones weren’t getting him past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament in his last five years at Kentucky.
The older, veteran teams across the league are beginning to win out.
3. AUBURN
With Calipari headed to Arkansas, Bruce Pearl is now the longest-tenured head coach by his current school in the SEC.
Pearl’s team is finally getting the recognition it deserves from media around the league. Usually, Auburn is in the upper middle portion of these polls, but most outlets have Auburn as the #2 team in the league.
I can’t write about Auburn without mentioning Johni Broome. Not only is Broome a versatile scorer but an incredible defender in the post. Dylan Cardwell is also back for another round in the post this season.
Guards Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones will also return for the Tigers this season. Georgia Tech transfer Miles Kelly and Furman transfer J.P. Pegues should add to the scoring in a back court that was suspect last season.
If that isn’t enough, freshmen Tahaad Pettiford and Jakhi Howard are also terrific options at guard for the Tigers.
It’s going to be another great season on the plains for Tiger fans.
2. TENNESSEE
Rick Barnes had something special in Dalton Knecht last season, something he had never come close to scratching with a transfer.
As a result, he’s attracted four transfers to Knoxville. Chaz Lanier was a steady scorer for North Florida last season, and he’s the closest thing this team could get to a Knecht this season.
Darlinstone Dubar and Igor Milicic are both long and versatile scorers who can play multiple positions. Felix Okpara comes in from Ohio State, and he’s expected to bring a toughness element underneath the basket.
While the transfers are noteworthy, there are two very important returnees to this team. Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack are both in their fourth season with the program, and both are incredibly frustrating to try and run an offense against.
I expect Tennessee to finish near the top of the SEC at the very least.
1. ALABAMA
This one’s a no brainer.
Nate Oats runs one of the most fun offenses in the SEC, and he’s got Mark Sears back to run it for another season. Along with Sears returns another reliable veteran in Grant Nelson, who was pivotal in the Tide’s Final Four run.
Transfer guards Chris Youngblood, Houston Mallette, and Aden Holloway will all present outside scoring threats for opponents this season.
Possibly the most critical transfer this season is Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi. I’m not insinuating Jarin Stevenson and Mo Dioubate aren’t tough, but Omoruyi is the closest thing Bama could find to replicate the defensive ability of Charles Bediako as a rim protector.
If that wasn’t enough for you, there are four freshmen rated as four star or higher in this class, one of which is small forward Derrion Reid, the top small forward in California.
Oats can easily win his third SEC title at Alabama with this strong of a roster.
https://www.fanrunradio.com/sports/tuckers-preseason-sec-basketball-power-rankings-part-1
https://www.fanrunradio.com/sports/tuckers-preseason-sec-basketball-power-rankings-part-2
https://www.fanrunradio.com/sports/tuckers-preseason-sec-basketball-power-rankings-part-3
