SEC men’s basketball preseason rankings: An encore act after a record-setting year?

It’s reloading time in the SEC after one of the greatest single seasons for a league in the history of college basketball.

The conference justified the hype with a record 14 NCAA Tournament bids, two No. 1 seeds, two Final Four participants and a national champion in Florida. But four of the top 15 players on the all-conference teams return, and none of the first-teamers. So the SEC is going to take a slight step back, but it did reload.

Among the top 100 recruits in the 2025 class, 28 are coming to the SEC, which is more than any other conference. Among our top 100 transfer portal players at The Athletic, 27 signed with SEC schools, the most of any conference. Even LSU, 14th in this ranking, had two top-100 recruits and two top-100 transfers. While the Big 12 and Big Ten might be stronger at the top this year, the SEC is once again the deepest from top to bottom.

Because of the turnover, it’s hard to see a clear-cut favorite. Florida will be the consensus pick, but the Gators graduated their three starting guards who were pivotal to winning the title. Auburn replaces its entire starting five — and its head coach. Among the eight teams with a winning conference record last year, Missouri is the only one to return more than two starters. So it’s a wide-open race.

Note: For freshmen, the ranking next to their name comes from the recruiting services consensus index (RSCI), which combines multiple ranking services to produce a consensus ranking.

SEC title contenders

1. Florida

Last season: 36-4, national champions

Coach: Todd Golden (fourth season)

Top bench players: Urban Klavzar (3.2 PPG); Micah Handlogten (2.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG); CJ Ingram (freshman, No. 28); Alex Lloyd (freshman, No. 41); Isaiah Brown (1.9 PPG); AJ Brown (13.2 PPG at Ohio)

Biggest losses: Walter Clayton (18.3 PPG, 4.2 APG); Alijah Martin (14.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG); Will Richard (13.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG); Denzel Aberdeen (7.7 PPG)

Why they’re here: Recency bias? Maybe. But Florida has the best combination of roster continuity and portal plugs in the SEC. Fland and Lee do not have to be as good as Clayton, but one does need to emerge as the go-to scorer. Florida’s up-tempo style should be a good fit for Fland. It would also help if Haugh and Condon become more reliable scorers. Both were integral playmakers from the perimeter last year, and Golden will likely want to get them more involved as rollers or drivers, or maybe even posting up Haugh against smaller defenders.

Defensively, Florida is going to be huge with Golden planning to play Haugh some at small forward. There is some concern about Fland and Lee defensively, but the length and rim protection could help hide them. It will be difficult to replace Martin and Richard on that end. This mostly comes down to how good Fland and Lee are. If both hit, then there’s a pretty good chance the Gators will be a top-10 team and competing for the league title.

2. Kentucky

Last season: 24-12, Sweet 16

Coach: Mark Pope (second season)

Top bench players: Brandon Garrison (5.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG); Jasper Johnson (freshman, No. 20); Kam Williams (9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG at Tulane); Collin Chandler (2.7 PPG); Andrija Jelavić (international); Trent Noah (2.7 PPG); Malachi Moreno (freshman, No. 25)

Biggest losses: Lamont Butler (11.4 PPG, 4.3 APG); Jaxson Robinson (13.0 PPG); Amari Williams (10.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.2 APG); Koby Brea (11.6 PPG); Andrew Carr (10.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG)

Why they’re here: Kentucky is ridiculously deep. The 13th man is Braydon Hawthorne, the No. 56 player in the 2025 class. Moreno is a top-25 recruit and he might not see the floor. This kind of depth is a lot to juggle for a coach, but Pope getting everyone to buy in seems to be one of his best strengths.

Pope was intentional in trying to build a better defensive team on his second try. Kentucky had an elite offense last year but went through stretches when its defense was torched. Pope targeted athletic, high-motor guys like Aberdeen, Dioubate and Quaintance and retained Oweh to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Offensively, the concerns for this group are whether there’s enough shooting and if Lowe is a fit. He is a ball-dominant guard and Pope likes to use his big men as the triggers. Lowe also takes a lot of mid-range shots — he attempted 135 jumpers or runners last season, per Synergy — and the ‘Cats play a more analytically friendly game, hunting layups and 3s. I really like the fit of Dioubate, who should be good at finding cutters and initiating dribble handoffs. It should also be a fairly easy transition for Aberdeen, who played in a similar offense at Florida. But it’s either going to be an adjustment for Lowe or Pope will adjust the offense to fit him. How smooth that marriage goes could determine how successful the Cats are in Year 2 under Pope.

3. Auburn

Last season: 32-6, Final Four

Coach: Steven Pearl (first season)

Top bench players: Elyjah Freeman (18.9 PPG, 8.7 RPG at Lincoln Memorial); Abdul Bashir (junior college); Sebastian Williams-Adams (freshman, No. 47); Kaden Magwood (freshman, No. 59); Emeka Opurum (junior college)

Biggest losses: Johni Broome (18.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.1 BPG); Chad Baker-Mazara (12.3 PPG, 2.7 APG); Miles Kelly (11.3 PPG); Denver Jones (10.9 PPG, 2.6 APG); Dylan Cardwell (5.0 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG)

Why they’re here: Bruce Pearl retired six weeks before the season, but he left his son Steven a potential All-American in Pettiford. The sophomore was terrific in ball screens last season — Auburn’s roll and replace worked about every time with him as the handler — and he was at his best in big games. It’s a good bet he can handle the burden of being a star.

Auburn also got Pettiford some help. Hall was one of the best scorers in the Big 12 and is a good fit in Auburn’s flex offense. The Tigers also used the portal to find solid role players in Overton and Murphy and a scorer oozing with potential in Freeman, who had NBA scouts eyeing him at the Division II level. For the second straight year, he could give Auburn a super sixth man. Auburn also landed two of the top three junior-college transfers and two top-100 freshmen, an impressive reload following the best season in school history.

4. Arkansas

Last season: 22-14, Sweet 16

Coach: John Calipari (second season)

Top bench players: Billy Richmond III (5.7 PPG); Meleek Thomas (freshman, No. 12); Nick Pringle (9.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG); Karim Rtail (international); Isaiah Sealy (freshman, No. 93)

Biggest losses: Adou Thiero (15.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG); Johnell Davis (12.0 PPG); Boogie Fland (13.5 PPG, 5.1 APG); Zvonimir Ivisic (8.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.9 BPG)

Why they’re here: Calipari has the best core returning in the SEC outside of Florida, and also added two five-stars and one of the best portal bigs in Ewin. Calipari’s offense has been a mixed bag the last few years, but this roster could mimic what he did with his final Kentucky team early that season, playing five-out and making Tre Mitchell the trigger. Ewin would be perfect in that role.

Arkansas seemed to figure something out late last year when the Hogs played at a faster tempo and Brazile was moved into the starting lineup. You would think they’ll be able to carry that over. The key could be Acuff and the continued development of Wagner. Calipari’s best teams have elite guard play. If Wagner takes a step forward and both Knox and Richmond progress as sophomores, there’s enough talent here to win the SEC. Getting off to a strong start and building confidence will be key, because this is a core that had a losing record in the SEC last season.

5. Alabama

Last season: 28-9, Elite Eight

Coach: Nate Oats (seventh season)

Top bench players: London Jemison (freshman, No. 34); Davion Hannah (freshman, No. 45); Amari Allen (freshman, No. 69); Noah Williamson (17.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG at Bucknell); Jalil Bethea (7.1 PPG at Miami)

Biggest losses: Mark Sears (18.6 PPG, 5.1 APG); Grant Nelson (11.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG); Clifford Omoruyi (7.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG); Chris Youngblood (10.3 PPG); Mouhamed Dioubate (7.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG); Derrion Reid (6.0 PPG); Jarin Stevenson (5.4 PPG)

Why they’re here: Alabama is 42-12 in the SEC over the last three seasons and has had the most efficient offense in league play each year. It’s almost disrespectful to have the Crimson Tide this low, but there are question marks in the frontcourt. Sherrell could be dangerous if he makes 3s — he was 14-of-42 last year — but he played only 21.1 percent of available minutes. Alabama hit the portal to strengthen that position, but I’m skeptical Williamson will be able to translate to the high-major level. Oats also made a bet on Bethea after the former five-star underwhelmed on a bad Miami team, and that could go boom or bust. Bol Bowen was the addition that made the most sense for Bama — he shot 41.4 percent from 3 last season and his length defensively is intriguing — but he had lots of games with minimal production.

All that said, there’s a lot to like about the guard play. Philon was a pleasant surprise and has the chance to be one of the best guards in the country. Wrightsell brings a level of toughness and shooting that Bama really missed last year when he was injured, and Holloway can be dangerous when he’s making shots. Ideally, Alabama would have held on to Dioubate and made a bigger splash for a center, but if Sherrell is productive or Williamson proves me wrong, maybe this is the team that ends up winning the league.

6. Tennessee

Last season: 30-8, Elite Eight

Coach: Rick Barnes (11th season)

Top bench players: Cade Phillips (4.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG); J.P. Estrella (4.7 PPG); Clarence Massamba (international); Amaree Abram (12.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.5 SPG at Louisiana Tech); Amari Evans (freshman, No. 72)

Biggest losses: Chaz Lanier (18.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG); Zakai Zeigler (13.6 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.9 SPG); Jordan Gainey (11.6 PPG); Igor Milicic (9.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG); Jahmai Mashack (6.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.7 SPG)

Why they’re here: Barnes is not used to this much roster turnover, but he quickly reloaded by signing one of the best transfer point guards (Gillespie), one of the top prospects in the 2025 class (Ament) and a 23-year-old guard who was playing in the top league in Israel (Burg). The frontcourt should be solid with Carey joining three returners in Okpara, Phillips and Estrella. Estrella has the most upside. He played only three games last season because of a foot injury, but he’s skilled and can score both inside and out, and he is entering his third year in the program.

But it’s likely the perimeter guys who will determine Tennessee’s fate. Ament is considered an awesome talent, but can he handle the physicality of the SEC? Burg averaged 10.9 points and 3.3 assists in a league that is filled with former high-major players, so you would think he’ll be able to make the transition. The middle of the pack is probably the floor for the Vols. If Ament lives up to the hype and Burg is an all-conference type of player, the Vols could compete for the SEC title.

Tourney teams

7. Missouri

Last season: 22-12, first round

Coach: Dennis Gates (fourth season)

Top bench players: Jevon Porter (12.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG at Loyola Marymount); T.O. Barrett (1.9 PPG); Jacob Crews (5.6 PPG); Annor Boateng (1.9 PPG); Trent Burns (redshirted); Luke Northweather (2.7 PPG at Oklahoma); Aaron Rowe (freshman, No. 98); Jayden Stone (medical redshirt at West Virginia)

Biggest losses: Caleb Grill (13.7 PPG); Tamar Bates (13.3 PPG); Tony Perkins (9.0 PPG, 3.5 APG)

Why they’re here: An argument could be made that Mizzou belongs in the first tier, but I’m on the fence about whether the Tigers can be as good as they were last year. They’re going to miss Grill and Bates. In games against SEC opponents, they combined for 31.5 points per game in wins and 23.2 in losses. I was a big believer in Mack as a high school prospect and he’s a great fit in the Perkins role, putting pressure on the rim with his speed and driving ability, but he’s a career 29.6 percent 3-point shooter. So who is going to consistently make shots for this team? Robinson, Pierce, Crews or Stone are the options. Stone is the wildcard; he sat out last season at West Virginia and averaged 20.8 points per game the previous year on a bad Detroit Mercy team. He’s a 34.7 percent career 3-point shooter. Robinson is the most likely. He shot 40 percent from 3 last year but took only 50 3s. He’s more of a setup man than a true scorer.

So perimeter scoring and shooting are concerns. But the Tigers do return one of the better duos in Robinson and Mitchell. They also upgraded the center position. Phillips gives them better athleticism, a lob threat and shot blocking. Porter and Burns could provide some shotmaking. If any of those three can be a double-digit scorer, both Robinson and Mitchell elevate their games and the defense improves, then this is probably a team in that top tier. I just need to see the offense operate without Grill and Bates before I believe it.

8. Oklahoma

Last season: 20-14, first round

Coach: Porter Moser (fifth season)

Top bench players: Jadon Jones (12.1 PPG at Long Beach State); Dayton Forsythe (4.3 PPG); Kai Rogers (freshman, No. 78); Alec Blair (No. 81); Andreas Holst (international); Kuol Atak (redshirted)

Biggest losses: Jeremiah Fears (17.1 PPG, 4.1 APG); Jalon Moore (15.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG); Duke Miles (9.4 PPG); Kobe Elvis (7.7 PPG); Brycen Goodine (8.0 PPG); Sam Godwin (6.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG)

Why they’re here: The Sooners are another team that could sneak into the top tier.

There were four schools with four transfers ranked in our top 100: Michigan, Kentucky, Auburn and Oklahoma. Those first three will all be in everyone’s preseason Top 25. Oklahoma’s depth isn’t great, but it has a potentially potent starting lineup because of those four transfers. Pack proved how good he could be when surrounded by other good players in 2023 when Miami made the Final Four. Brown was the leading scorer on a team that had a player drafted No. 31. Davis put up really good numbers on a middle-of-the-pack ACC team that dealt with a lot of injuries. And Reid was a five-star recruit who performed decently as a freshman on one of the deepest rosters in college hoops.

Now, can the Sooners get anything from their bench? Can Brown be the go-to guy on a high-major winner? We’ll see. But this is probably the most talented starting lineup Moser has had in his five seasons in Norman.

Bubble-bound?

9. Texas A&M

Last season: 23-11, second round

Coach: Bucky McMillan (first season)

Top bench players: Federiko Federiko (5.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG at Texas Tech); Ali Dibba (17.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG at Southern Illinois); Jacari Lane (17.3 PPG, 4.0 APG at North Alabama); Marcus Hill (11.5 PPG at NC State); Zach Clemence (1.4 PPG at Kansas); Josh Holloway (7.9 PPG, 1.5 SPG at Samford); Jeremiah Green (freshman, NR); Jamie Vinson IV (2.2 PPG at Texas)

Biggest losses: Wade Taylor IV (15.7 PPG, 4.3 APG); Zhuric Phelps (13.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG); Pharrel Payne (10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG); Henry Coleman (7.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG); Manny Obaseki (6.5 PPG)

Why they’re here: McMillan needs depth to run his system and was able to build a deep roster in a limited amount of time after becoming the last coach to nab a high-major job during the carousel. The strength of this team is the shooting. Griffen, Isaacs and Lane have all had at least one season where they’ve made 70-plus 3s. Each has also shot better than 38 percent from 3 in a season. Dominguez is the best shooter on the roster and recently made 97 out of 100 3s in a workout. (I attended a recent practice where I didn’t see him miss in shooting drills.)

The Aggies have talent. They just have more ifs than most. If Agee, currently applying for another season of eligibility, is allowed to play. If Isaacs and Mgbako are healthy and semi-efficient. Isaacs has been injury-prone in the past; Mgbako will start the year out with a leg injury. And both have had stretches of inefficiency, although Mgbako turning a healthy diet of mid-rangers at Indiana into 3s at A&M should help. So if those two perform and McMillan’s presses and zones work in the SEC, then this team will be annoying to play and likely rack up enough wins to make the tourney. I feel better about the Aggies after visiting them than I did before.

10. Texas

Last season: 19-16, First Four

Coach: Sean Miller (first season)

Top bench players: Chendall Weaver (6.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG); Cam Heide (4.7 PPG at Purdue); Lassina Traore (medical redshirt at Xavier); Declan Duru (international); John Clark (freshman, No. 63); Nic Codie (1.7 PPG)

Biggest losses: Tre Johnson (19.9 PPG, 2.7 APG); Arthur Kaluma (12.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG); Kadin Shedrick (8.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG)

Why they’re here: Xavier made the NCAA Tournament last year and finished tied for fourth in the Big East. The Musketeers would have been the 13th-best team in the SEC, according to KenPom’s ratings. Miller has similar talent in his first year at Texas. Xavier finished 40th at Torvik and Texas debuts at 36th.

This is not nearly as good a shooting team, but could be better defensively with players like Mark, Heide, Wilcher and Weaver, who have all played for elite defensive teams in the past. The Longhorns are a little thin up front and will need Vokietaitis to produce. Shot creation shouldn’t be a problem, but perimeter shooting could be. Eventually, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Miller accumulate talent and surefire pros like he did at Arizona. This first roster is a decent collection of solid college players, but probably lacking when it comes to NBA players.

11. Ole Miss

Last season: 24-12, Sweet 16

Coach: Chris Beard (third season)

Top bench players: Kezza Giffa (14.6 PPG, 2.5 APG at High Point); Corey Chest (6.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG at LSU); Niko Bundalo (freshman, No. 31); Tylis Jordan (freshman, No. 48); Travis Perry (2.7 PPG at Kentucky)

Biggest losses: Sean Pedulla (15.4 PPG, 3.8 APG); Jaemynn Brakefield (11.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG); Jaylen Murray (10.3 PPG, 3.4 APG); Dre Davis (10.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG); Matthew Murrell (10.8 PPG)

Why they’re here: Chris Beard has been a college coach for nine full seasons and has only had two losing seasons in conference play. Both were in his first year at a new stop. That fact, more than an analysis of the roster, is why the Rebels are here.

The roster is difficult to compare. The swing players are Kamardine, Storr and Johnson. Kamardine is 22 and has played in the top French league. He was on a team with former Villanova guard Phil Booth and had slightly better numbers, averaging 8.7 points per game last season. If the Rebels are getting a player at Booth’s level, then that could be really good; Booth averaged 18.6 points in his final college season and was a double-digit scorer on the 2018 title team.

Will Ole Miss get the Wisconsin version of Storr (averaged 16.8 points, not super efficient) or the KU version that couldn’t get consistent playing time? Johnson was a double-digit scorer two years ago on a middle-of-the-pack Washington team and then missed most of last season at Louisville with an injury. How good will he be? Giffa was a great player on a great mid-major team, but will he translate? Beard also has two freshmen with high potential, but will they be ready? Dia and Scott are proven up front and should be solid. The rest is a guessing game.

12. Vanderbilt

Last season: 20-13, first round

Coach: Mark Byington (second season)

Top bench players: Duke Miles (9.4 PPG at Oklahoma); Tyler Harris (11.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG at Washington); Tyler Tanner (5.7 PPG); AK Okereke (13.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, 4.6 RPG at Cornell); Mason Nicholson (7.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.7 BPG at Jacksonville State)

Biggest losses: Jason Edwards (17.0 PPG); A.J. Hoggard (9.6 PPG); Jaylen Carey (8.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG); MJ Collins (7.4 PPG)

Why they’re here: I’ve struggled with Vandy. To be a believer, you have to buy into both Collins and James. James was on two bad teams at Louisville, and when Collins was handed the keys at Arizona State, the Sun Devils went 14-18. He did play on NCAA tourney teams his first two years — both 11 seeds. Can they be foundational pieces of an NCAA Tournament team? Did Washington just need to get away from UNC to thrive? Both are possible.

Plus, there is a lot of depth and a good core of returners. When compared with other SEC rosters, this placement feels right. But the computer models love this team. Torvik has the Commodores at No. 21, and Evan Miyakawa has them at No. 25.

Byington built something special at James Madison and Vandy was arguably the biggest overachiever in the SEC last season. So Byington plus computer love had me questioning putting the Commodores as low as I initially had them, a few spots lower than this. I’m hedging by putting them in this bubble category. The SEC put 14 teams in last year; 12 is probably within reason this year.

A strong bottom

13. Mississippi State

Last season: 21-13, first round

Coach: Chris Jans (fourth season)

Top bench players: Achor Achor (7.3 PPG at K-State); Sergej Macura (international); Ja’Borri McGhee (11.1 PPG, 2.8 APG at UAB); Brandon Walker (14.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG at Montana State); King Grace (freshman, No. 65); Tee Bartlett (freshman, No. 73); Jamarion Davis-Fleming (freshman, NR); Dellquan Warren (0.6 PPG)

Biggest losses: KeShawn Murphy (11.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG); Cameron Matthews (7.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.6 APG); Claudell Harris (9.6 PPG); Riley Kugel (8.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG); Michael Nwoko (6.1 RPG, 4.6 RPG)

Why they’re here: This could be slightly low for the Bulldogs, because they’ve gone 8-10 in the SEC in all three years Jans has been the coach and that’s probably about how this team will finish. Hubbard is one of the best scoring guards in the country and Epps was a solid addition. The frontcourt is not as good on paper. Matthews was Mississippi State’s version of Draymond Green and arguably the most valuable player on the team outside of Hubbard. And Murphy was really solid in his role.

It’s possible Ballard makes the defense better with his shot-blocking, and last year’s team was the worst for Jans defensively. Achor is a wild card. He was an intriguing transfer a year ago off a really productive season as the best player at Samford, which nearly upset Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Then he went to Kansas State, put up numbers in three out of seven games and was off the team by early December. If Hubbard and Epps can be one of the best SEC guard duos and the defense is back to what we’re expecting from a Jans-coached team, this team probably sneaks into the NCAA Tournament.

14. LSU

Last season: 14-18, no postseason

Coach: Matt McMahon (fourth season)

Top bench players: Ron Zipper (international); Michael Nwoko (6.1 RPG, 4.6 RPG at Mississippi State); Robert Miller III (4.5 PPG); Jalen Reece (freshman, No. 67); Mazi Mosley (freshman, No. 76)

Biggest losses: Cam Carter (16.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.5 APG); Jordan Sears (12.3 PPG, 2.5 APG); Dji Bailey (8.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG); Daimion Collins (8.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG); Vyctorius Miller (8.9 PPG); Corey Chest (6.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG)

Why they’re here: This is why the SEC’s bottom looks different than other conferences. LSU has two top-100 transfers in Thomas and Sutton and two top-100 freshmen. Then the Tigers retained Reed, who was off to a great start last year before a season-ending knee injury. LSU was 7-1 with Reed in the lineup. The schedule wasn’t great but that did include a road win at K-State and a neutral-court win over UCF.

Put this roster in the ACC, and you could talk yourself into projecting a NCAA Tournament bid. It’s an important season for McMahon, who hasn’t made the tourney in his first three years and won a combined five league games in the first and third seasons with one .500 finish sandwiched between them. Tough to climb from the bottom in this league.

15. Georgia

Last season: 20-13, first round

Coach: Mike White (fourth season)

Top bench players: Marcus Millender (14.9 PPG, 3.3 APG at UTSA); Dylan James (3.2 PPG); Jacob Wilkins (freshman, No. 42); Kareem Stagg (freshman, No. 84); Justin Bailey (9.6 PPG at Wofford)

Biggest losses: Asa Newell (15.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG); Silas Demary (13.5 PPG, 3.1 APG); Dakota Leffew (9.4 PPG); Tyrin Lawrence (8.3 PPG, 2.4 APG); RJ Godfrey (6.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG)

Why they’re here: Georgia took one of the biggest roster hits in the back half of the league, losing both Newell (to the NBA) and Demary (to UConn). This roster is not as strong as the one that won eight games in the SEC last year.

White did take two big upside swings in the portal in Wilkinson and Catchings. Wilkinson was a high-usage scorer on a 14-19 ACC team last season, but he had that usage and production as a freshman. That’s rare in this era. Catchings had some flashes at BYU when he looked like an NBA player. But his shot selection was questionable, and the Cougars got hot late in the year once he got pushed out of the rotation. Every player in this projected starting lineup will be back the next season and three are sophomores. (Cyril is the third.) This team may be a year away from competing, and it’s almost like White built the roster with the future in mind.

16. South Carolina

Last season: 12-20, no postseason

Coach: Lamont Paris (fourth season)

Top bench players: Cam Scott (2.5 PPG); Elijah Strong (9.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG at Boston College); Kobe Knox (10.8 PPG at South Florida); Eli Ellis (freshman, No. 77); EJ Walker (freshman, NR)

Biggest losses: Collin Murray-Boyles (16.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG); Jamari Thomas (13.2 PPG, 3.0 APG); Nick Pringle (9.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG); Zachary Davis (8.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG); Jacobi Wright (7.7 PPG)

Why they’re here: College basketball is a weird place. Johnson is back at South Carolina after a year away at Ohio State. To recap his journey, now in its sixth year: He spent his first two seasons at Ohio State, then transferred to South Carolina for two years, then back to Ohio State for a year and, now he’ll have one final season at South Carolina. He did have the best season of his career in 2023-24, when the Gamecocks went a surprising 13-5 in the SEC, and they went just 2-16 in his year away.

Can Johnson provide the magic spark again? Eh. This is the worst roster on paper in the league, and the Gamecocks are replacing a lottery pick in Murray-Boyles. South Carolina has had just one winning season in league play in the last five years. Feels like that 2023-24 season was an outlier.

(Top photo of Thomas Haugh: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)