2024-25 SEC Basketball Preview: Can rivals slow Alabama’s momentum?

Nov 1, 2024 | Uncategorized

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The conference’s talent level remains absurdly high, which should again make life rough-and-tumble in the middle of the standings.

This offseason, there was little doubt Alabama would start this season as the prohibitive favorite for the SEC title.

But since the conference expanded, how many times has the preseason pick actually claimed that hardware? Four. And since 2018, five champions were picked fifth or lower in the preseason.

There’s no lack of challengers, either. Several analytic models rate the SEC as the top conference this year, and nine teams will start the year ranked in the Associated Press top-25 poll. If the Tide stumbles, Auburn, Tennessee or Arkansas will pounce quickly.

Meanwhile, the arrivals of Oklahoma and Texas will add two more potential combatants to the brawl that is the middle of the standings. There’s also the small matter of John Calipari bailing on Kentucky to reboot at Arkansas. So, there’s ample stakes and drama outside of the title race. And in all likelihood, we’ll be relying on tiebreaker math to sort out the scrum.

SEC teams aspiring to make the NCAA Tournament often need to hit 10-8 to feel secure, but the conference’s depth might change that thinking. It’s not outlandish to think that a 9-9 or 8-10 mark might eke your team into the field of 68 — offering hope to Missouri, South Carolina and Georgia.

And it reinforces the reality that Crimson Tide’s path to a title won’t be without peril.

Preseason Player of the Year

Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images

Mark Sears | Alabama | Graduate | Point Guard

Sometimes, a stat line does, in fact, tell the story: 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 steals.

That’s what the fifth-year senior out of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, produced last season in leading the Crimson Tide to the Final Four. But Sears wasn’t a mere gunner. His efficiency ranked second among high-usage options in the SEC. Sears also balanced effective distribution (1.66 AST/TOV) with torching defenses as a floor spacer in Nate Oats’ system, knocking down 47.2 percent of catch-and-shoot 3-balls.

Even if Sears’ defense sagged at times last season—he ranked in the third percentile nationally—it was outweighed by the sheer volume of production he mustered at the other end. And considering Sears performed well as a junior, perhaps his senior campaign was an outlier.

It’s also a tolerable tradeoff when you consider how reliably Sears delivers for the Tide. Last season, he averaged at least 1.0 points per possession in 28 outings. Moreover, he upped his scoring average to 24.2 points in the NCAA Tournament without wasting touches.

This call isn’t a unique one, but it’s also the right one.

Other Top Returners

Grant Nelson, Alabama
Johni Broome, post, Auburn
Walter Clayton Jr., point guard, Florida
Matthew Murrell, wing, Ole Miss

Josh Hubbard, point guard, Mississippi State
Tamar Bates, wing, Missouri
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Zakai Zeigler, point guard, Tennessee
Wade Taylor IV, combo guard, Texas A&M

Most-Important Transfer

Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Johnell Davis | Graduate | Wing | Arkansas

Davis’ career is a testament to steady development. As an unranked recruit out of Gary, Indiana, he averaged 3.2 points in his freshman season at FAU. By last year, he scored 18.2 points and was named the American Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year. The 6-4 guard also did that work with little drag, finishing in the 78th percentile nationally for efficiency. And crucially for Arkansas, Davis’ scoring package comes with a jumper that knocked down 45.5 percent of 3s taken off the catch for a squad that needs all the spacing help it can get.

John Calipari’s roster always features some precocious youngsters, including aggressive Karter Knox and Billy Richmond slashers. However, adding Davis as a proven three-level threat eases the need for those freshmen to carry too much offensive burden.

But like many headliners, Davis’ workload on offense resulted in some slippage defensively, an area where the Hogs could use some reliability. To Davis’ credit, though, he’s stellar at getting on the glass for a guard (6.3 RPG), and he’s able to create some havoc on defense without getting into foul trouble.

Given how slim Calipari’s rotation might be, Davis’ skill set must quickly scale up in a new league.

Top Transfers

Clifford Omoruyi, post, Alabama
Jonas Aidoo, post, Arkansas
J.P. Pegues, point guard, Auburn
Alijah Martin, combo guard, Florida
Brandon Garrison, post, Kentucky
Sean Pedulla, point guard, Ole Miss
Kanye Cleary, combo guard, Mississippi State
Mark Mitchell, hybrid, Missouri
Duke Miles, point guard, Oklahoma
Felix Okpara, post, Tennessee
Tramon Mark, combo guard, Texas
AJ Hoggard, point guard, Vanderbilt

Best Freshman

Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tre Johnson | Combo Guard | Texas

Johnson’s modus operandi is getting buckets. The 6-foot-6 guard, rated fifth in his class, excels at probing and prodding defenses to find a crease or angle he can exploit. He’s also undaunted pulling up in the mid-range. In fact, most of his shots came off the bounce on the EYBL circuit and at Link Academy last season. What was heartening, though, was the 40.8 percent clip he posted last season on catch-and-shoot 3s. Should those results translate in Austin, it might allow coach Rodney Terry to flex Johnson off the ball and let other veterans have a crack at creation.

Now, Johnson’s rim finishing certainly needs refining to compensate for what scouts deem a lack of explosiveness and vertical pop. They’ve also dinged Johnson’s defensive engagement. (Fortunately, he rebounds well for his position.) It’s also not surprising. Plenty of high-usage players like Johnson use defensive possessions as a chance to recharge. Assuming his workload is curbed a bit, Johnson might improve on that end of the floor.

Top Freshmen

Derrion Reid, wing, Alabama
Asa Newell, post, Georgia
Boogie Fland, point guard, Arkansas
Karter Knox, wing, Arkansas
Aiden Sherrell, post, Alabama
Billy Richmond, wing, Arkansas
Tahaad Pettiford, point guard, Auburn
Annor Boateng, wing, Missouri
Labaron Philon, point guard, Alabama
Cam Scott, wing, South Carolina
Somto Cyril, post, Georgia
Naas Cunningham, wing, Alabama

Our Picks

Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

A quick note: The order is based on the results of Sam Snelling’s game-by-game picks. Tiebreaker rules were applied to sort out the order. However, context is good. We include a team’s average record after the masses picked game-by-game results, its projected record from KenPom, and its average finish among 18 outlets. Those same preseason polls were used to create a consensus forecast below.

No. 1: Alabama Crimson Tide

Rock M Projection: 14-4 SEC | Masses: 14-4 SEC | KenPom: 23-8, 12-6 SEC | Average: 1.4

Our Take: Fresh off the program’s first Final Four, coach Nate Oats’ crew enters the season ranked No. 2 in the nation and is the overwhelming favorite to win the SEC. While the Tide experienced some churn, it primarily unfolded at the bottom of their roster. The only mild surprise: Rylan Griffen’s defection to Kansas. Yet Bama retained Mark Sears, the conference’s preseason Player of the Year, and stretch-four Grant Nelson. Griffen toted 3-point shooting with him to Lawrence, but the portal helped Oats backfill. USF wing Chris Youngblood shot nearly 42 percent from last season and should be healed from an ankle injury by SEC play. And while Youngblood heals up, Houston Mallette, who arrives from Pepperdine, is equally capable from deep. Rutgers post Clifford Omoruyi was the most significant addition, an elite rim protector and backline anchor. With Omoruyi around, Nelson returns to his natural habitat on the perimeter. Oats can also dip into a top-five recruiting class for additional help, particularly if he wants to use Derrion Reid to supplement perimeter defense. What’s also scary is the fact that the Tide didn’t guard all that well a season ago, finishing 111th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Scoring won’t be a hassle, but if Oats gets defensive buy-in, the Tide might take the final step it missed last spring.

Read the Alabama preview

No. 2: Auburn Tigers

Rock M Projection: 13-5 SEC | Masses: 13-5 SEC | KenPom: 23-8, 13-5 SEC | Average: 2.1

Our Take: In the spring, Auburn deployed its NIL to retain three of its top four scorers: Johni Broome, Chad Baker-Mazara, and Denver Jones. That investment ensured coach Bruce Pearl’s program would rank among the SEC’s leaders in returning output. Steadily, Broome’s evolved into the SEC’s best interior defender, leading the conference in defensive rebounding and block rates. Meanwhile, Baker-Mazara and Jones slowly found their footing during conference play. Several key depth pieces also stuck around the Plains. Ultimately, though, the Tigers’ aspirations rely on Furman transfer J.P. Pegues translating his stellar shooting out of pick-and-rolls and Georgia Tech transfer Miles Kelly pruning inefficient looks. Assuming Baker and Mazar do their jobs, the space should be ample enough for Pegues to probe in PNRs while Broome divebombs to the rim. At the other end, you can generally trust Pearl to field a defense that grades out in the top 40 for adjusted efficiency. So long as Broome remains fit and a refreshed backcourt pulls its weight, Auburn might be poised to reap spoils come March.

Read the Auburn preview

No. 3: Tennessee Volunteers

Rock M Projection: 13-5 SEC | Masses: 12-6 SEC | KenPom: 22-8, 11-7 SEC | Average: 3.1

Our Take: It’s been a given over the past five seasons that Rick Barnes’ squad would guard. Yet there was slightly more churn than expected in Knoxville, especially along the front line, which makes it worth wondering if the Vols’ defense is bankable. Oh, and Dalton Knecht is no longer on the roster. Adding Ohio State transfer Felix Okpara should restore some deterrence at the rim, while Charlotte transfer Igor Milicic is a hyper-skilled stretch five. If J.P. Estrella or Cade Phillips shows progress, Barnes will have hints of depth. On the perimeter, the Vols will have to recreate Knecht in aggregate. Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar is a jumbo wing with a funky-looking jumper who made 39.9 percent of his 3s last season. The swing player might be Chaz Lanier, who broke out to average 19.7 points at North Florida last season. At point guard, Barnes can rest easy knowing Zakai Zeigler orchestrates matters for the Vols. The Vols likely need one of Dubar, Lanier, or Jahmai Mashack to emerge as a steady producer on the perimeter. Should that happen, it could vault UT into genuine contention.

Read the Tennessee preview

No. 4: Arkansas Razorbacks

Rock M Projection: 11-7 SEC | Masses: 12-6 SEC | KenPom: 20-11, 10-8 SEC | Average: 6.0

Our Take: John Calipari might have a new ZIP code, but the template for his program is, well, mostly the same. He toted his entire staff from Kentucky and three former Wildcats — D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero, and Zvonimir Ivisic — to Fayetteville. And there’s a trio of high-end recruits in Karter Knox, Boogie Fland and Billy Richmond. Whether this transplant works depends on how smoothly FAU transfer Johnell Davis’ three-level scoring package translates to the SEC, and if Jonas Aidoo can balance rim protection with overall consistency on the defensive end. As always, Cal amassed some raw talent, but a sophomore like Wagner must trim inefficient pull-ups and improve defensively to reach his potential. As for Ivisic, the hope should be that a complete offseason stateside will yield stability. As for the freshmen, Knox started rounding out his scoring package last year at Overtime Elite, while Fland complements Wagner. And if all goes well, Cal might extract the best out of Trevon Brazile — assuming the junior remains healthy. The bench is undoubtedly short, but the Hogs should have enough scoring pop at their disposal. Ultimately, Cal’s reboot might hinge on whether he can spur this group to sit down and guard.

Read the Arkansas preview

No. 5: Florida Gators

Rock M Projection: 11-7 SEC | Masses: 11-7 SEC | KenPom: 19-11, 10-8 SEC | Average: 6.9

Our Take: Todd Golden is running it back in Gainesville, but the question is whether this is the top end of the Gators’ ceiling. Point guard Walter Clayton Jr. and his 17.6 points per game stuck around, and wing Will Richard offers some pop in transition. A potentially underrated pickup was snagging FAU’s Alijah Martin from the transfer portal. He averaged 13.0 points per game in Boca Raton and should slot in nicely as a complementary combo guard. Inside, Golden basically swapped like for like to replace Tyrese Samuel with Chattanooga’s Sam Alexis, a bruising 6-foot-9 big with a diverse back-to-the-basket repertoire. He also made a heady addition in Rueben Chinyelu, a potentially elite rim protector who made noticeable strides on offense for Washington State down the stretch. Meanwhile, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh supply enough depth to make up for Micah Handlogten, who will miss the season after suffering a leg injury during the SEC tournament. In many ways, Golden made a carbon copy of last season’s rotation, which remained extraordinarily healthy and finished sixth. Florida will be good, but pushing into the top four might require Richard and Martin, who have been secondary options, to expand their production.

Read the Florida preview

No. 6: Kentucky Wildcats

Rock M Projection: 10-8 SEC | Masses: 11-7 SEC | KenPom: 18-13, 8-10 SEC | Average: 6.2

Our Take: Mark Pope arrives in Lexington from BYU without an NCAA Tournament win as a coach. But he is an alum with a national title ring. His offense in Provo was also a favorite among scheme nerds. The question is whether those chops translate to the SEC. Well, boosters ensured he had enough NIL to import an entirely new roster to make it work. That budget didn’t buy one-and-dones, but it helped Pope load up on proven shooters: Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson, Otega Oweh, and Kerr Kriisa. UK also didn’t spare any expense along its frontline, adding former McDonald’s All-American Brandon Garrison and Drexel’s Amari Williams, who is as comfortable playing in space as he is protecting the rim. Theoretically, the ‘Cats will push the pace, spread the floor, and bomb away — while having some defensive mettle. It’s a collective approach that runs counter to the rosters of Galacticos his predecessor constructed. It should be enough to make a respectable debut campaign, but — ironically — the lack of one elite NBA prospect to takeover might be the one asset this roster is missing.

Read the Kentucky Preview

No. 7: Missouri Tigers

Rock M Projection: 9-9 SEC | Masses: 7-11 SEC | KenPom: 19-12, 8-10 SEC | Average: 12.6

Our Take: If you take recruiting rankings at face value, the Tigers’ overall haul ranked No. 12 nationally and fourth in the SEC. Meanwhile, Tamar Bates was spared from roster churn and joined by top-drawer imports like point guard Tony Perkins and hybrid forward Mark Mitchell. And Caleb Grill earned a medical redshirt. Coach Dennis Gates has collected enough pieces that — in theory — MU should be more than competent on offense. There’s also enough depth to pick up the pace again. But the optimistic forecast is rooted in the idea that, after two years, the Tigers finally have the kind of size and athleticism to apply clamps defensively and wipe the glass. If improvement in those facets eludes MU again, the question will shift from the quality of personnel to Gates’ overarching philosophy. Finding a middle ground is potentially enough to push MU firmly into the middle of the standings. Talent is a balm that can heal a lot of stylistic woes, but we also understand why many outlets rely on a wait-and-see approach with Gates’ squad.

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No. 8: Ole Miss Rebels

Rock M Projection: 9-9 SEC | Masses: 9-9 SEC | KenPom: 17-13, 9-9 SEC | Average: 9.1

Our Take: Bringing back Matthew Murrell for a graduate season might have been an underrated roster move this offseason. His presence supplies coach Chris Beard with a reliable perimeter threat to complement stretch four Jaemyn Brakefield. The Rebels also conducted some savvy work in the portal, picking up a veteran lead guard in Sean Pedulla, who can also space the floor. And adding Dre Davis from Seton Hall ensures there’s someone to provide tough cover on defense. However, Beard prioritized offensive skills along the front line with Belmont’s Malik Dia and UNCG’s Mikeal Brown-Jones. Each can comfortably handle the ball and play in space, but neither is known as a traditional post defender. The same could be said of Brakefield. When Beard’s teams excel, it starts on the defensive end, and finding interior solutions might mean leaning on a freshman like John Bol or a vet like Ja’Von Benson, who is back in the SEC after a stopover at Hampton last season. If a solution doesn’t emerge, it could place a cap on Beard’s second season in Oxford.

Read the Ole Miss preview

No. 9: Texas A&M Aggies

Rock M Projection: 9-9 SEC | Masses: 11-7 SEC | KenPom: 20-11, 11-7 SEC | Average: 5.3

Our Take: Listen, the Aggies won’t post stylistic mystery. They clog up the works defensively and are opportunistic in transition. On offense, they pump a ton of possessions through Wade Taylor IV, and if he can’t get rolling, his teammates mob the glass for putbacks and fouls. And this offseason, Coach Buzz Williams’ retooling underscored that his template isn’t changing. SMU transfer Zhuric Phelps should slot into Tyrece Radford’s old role as a physical slasher at combo guard. Pharrell Payne arrives from Minnesota to backfill for Julius Marble inside. As for C.J. Wilcher, he’ll hopefully provide something resembling a floor spacer. You also know what you’ll get from vets like Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia. However, it’s reasonable to wonder about the Aggies’ ceiling. Reductive as it might sound, the program’s success hinges on how it closes out tight games. Two years ago, the Aggies were 8-2 in contests decided by two possessions. Last year, they were only 5-8. Predicting how a team will perform in those high-leverage moments is impossible. But if the result is a push, this roster’s baseline might be another 0.500 campaign in league play.

Read the Texas A&M preview

No. 10: Texas Longhorns

Rock M Projection: 8-10 SEC | Masses: 10-8 SEC | KenPom: 20-11, 10-8 SEC | Average: 6.8

Our Take: On paper, Texas is outfitted well with Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope, and five-star freshman Tre Johnson in its backcourt. But there’s a catch: they all do the same thing. Each member of that trio covets having the ball in their hands and has a penchant for challenging mid-range attempts. And none would be described as a set-up man. In fact, Arthur Kaluma, a jumbo wing from Kansas State, might be the Longhorns’ best playmaker. The good news is that Julian Larry and Jayson Kent arrived from Indiana State, where the offenses emphasized potent off-ball movement. As for the frontline, Kadin Shedrick is the only member with ample experience. Ze’Rik Onyema saw spot duty, but he’s more of a hybrid four than a post. And Jamie Vinson, a three-star freshman, is a developmental piece. Coach Rodney Terry procured some decent pieces, but can he manage personalities to create a cohesive whole? Ideally, Kaluma and Mark would embrace spot-up heavy roles, while Pope shows more than a passing interest in guarding. The interior depth behind Shedrick would still be shaky, but the Longhorns’ backcourt might be productive enough to give adequate cover.

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No. 11: Mississippi State Bulldogs

Rock M Projection: 7-11 SEC | Masses: 7-11 SEC | KenPom: 19-11, 9-9 SEC | Average: 8.9

Our Take: Coach Chris Jans cut his teeth while coaching junior college, where annual churn is a way of life and adaptability is necessary. That experience proved handy in an offseason where six of MSU’s top eight scorers departed. The reboot was boosted when Josh Hubbard, the SEC’s Freshman of the Year, stuck around. And the front line still has some muscle with Cam Matthews. The pivot came with Jans’ decision to root his rotation in guard play. Kanye Clary was a high-usage operator in ball screens at Penn State, while Claudell Harris averaged double figures at Boston College while playing off the ball. Jans also scooped up Florida transfer Riley Kugel, who enticed but never quite lived up to his potential with the Gators. But the questions start with the reinforcements Jans added inside. Rhode Island transfer Jeremy Foumena and Miami transfer Michael Nwoko were on the fringes of the rotation at the former homes. Meanwhile, Clary carries a reputation after being suspended and booted from State College. At the same time, Kugel was sometimes frustrated with a lack of touches. If the vibes are good, State’s backcourt could be potent, but the assemblage of pieces in the frontcourt sows some doubts.

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No. 12: Vanderbilt Commodores

Rock M Projection: 7-11 SEC | Masses: 5-13 SEC | KenPom: 14-15, 5-13 SEC | Average: 15.1

Our Take: Mark Byington’s hire won’t stir buzz, but he’s a coach who has succeeded at tough gigs like Georgia Southern and James Madison. Given recent history, Vanderbilt fits those parameters. He’s also starting entirely from scratch, which begs the question: Why are we somewhat bullish on the ‘Dores? Well, its transfer haul might be underrated. A.J. Hoggard is a physical point guard who’s a capable set-up man and a reliable floor-spacer when the ball isn’t in his hands. That should let Jason Edwards, who averaged 19.1 points at North Texas, hunt for buckets in the mid-range. Tyler Nickel shot 39.9 percent from 3-point range at Virginia Tech. Devin McGlockton is a reliable rim finisher from Boston College. And Chris Manon arrives from Cornell as a strong-bodied driver. Byington’s core group could prove frisky, especially if Vandy continues their coach’s preference to play fast. The linchpin, however, is depth, which took a hit when USC transfer Kijani Wright was ruled out with an undisclosed health issue. It also shrank an already undersized frontcourt. There’s enough skill here to supply a pace-and-space attack that allows Byington’s crew to exceed modest expectations. However, the murky depth and questions on defense are still valid concerns.

Read the Vanderbilt preview

No. 13: Oklahoma Sooners

Rock M Projection: 7-11 SEC | Masses: 5-13 SEC | KenPom: 18-11, 8-10 SEC | Average: 13.1

Our Take: Spring proved brutal in Norman. Oklahoma lost five players to the transfer portal, including three leading scorers. The only notable returner is Jalon Moore, a stretch four who put up 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. As for coach Porter Moser’s retooling effort, success hinges on quite a few mid- and low-major vets quickly settling into the SEC. High Point transfer Duke Miles is a crafty pick-and-roll operator, while Jadon Jones averaged double figures at Long Beach State. And during the summer, OU added point guard Jeremiah Fears, a top-40 talent who reclassified to get on a campus a year early. But three other transfers — Kobe Elvis, Glenn Taylor, and Mohamed Wague — have never been more than role players at prior stops. You can usually rely on Moser’s team to guard consistently, avoid mistakes, and generate quality shots. Ultimately, though, your talent level sets the ceiling, and coming out of portal season, there were questions about what OU’s NIL budget could afford. Moser’s tried to make do in a pinch, but the ceiling might still be set low.

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No. 14: Georgia Bulldogs

Rock M Projection: 6-12 SEC | Masses: 8-10 SEC | KenPom: 16-15, 7-11 SEC | Average: 12.7

Our Take: In an age of quick teardowns and overhauls, coach Mike White’s blueprint in Athens hews to tradition. The Bulldogs hope a trio of Silas Demary, Blue Cain, and Dylan James make a sophomore leap, while five-star freshman Asa Newell projects to have a significant role as a stretch four in White’s rotation. Meanwhile, freshmen Somto Cyril, a top-50 freshman, could supply some brawn on the glass and rim protection. If the timing of developmental timelines pans out, White has a young core powering a push to an NCAA Tournament trip. But how often does that happen? And that’s where the Bulldogs portal reinforcements come in. Frontcourt pieces like Clemson transfer R.J. Godfrey and Appalachian State’s Justin Abson buttress defense and rim protection. However, White added two guards from Mount St. Mary’s, who finished eighth in the MAAC, to reinforce his young backcourt. Tyrin Lawrence, who transferred from Vanderbilt, adds ample SEC experience but averaged 9.6 points in his career. It’s a transfer class built to ensure quality depth, but youth likely decides UGA’s fate.

Read the Georgia preview

No. 15: LSU Tigers

Rock M Projection: 5-13 SEC | Masses: 5-13 SEC | KenPom: 17-13, 8-10 SEC | Average: 14.0

Our Take: Like his counterpart at UGA, coach Matt McMahon is relying on internal options to elevate the Bayou Bengals. This season, the Tigers’ prospects depend on players like Tyrell Ward, Jalen Reed, and Mike Williams reaching the peaks of their developmental curves. LSU did use the portal as a supplement, adding UT-Martin guard Jordan Sears and Kansas State wing Cam Carter. Sears has some scoring punch but is undersized and can be targeted defensively. As for Carter, he’s not the most efficient offensive threat. It’s worth asking whether McMahon should have added one or two more vets. Ideally, LSU’s returners validate McMahon’s approach, but severe growing pains could put his rebuild in a precarious position.

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No. 16: South Carolina Gamecocks

Rock M Projection: 5-13 SEC | Masses: 5-13 SEC | KenPom: 16-14, 7-11 SEC | Average: 12.9

Our Take: Have we learned nothing? Like many, we picked South Carolina to finish toward the bottom of the standings. Then, we watched the Gamecocks finish fifth and earn an NCAA Tournament bid. And this offseason, coach Lamont Paris held on to forward Collin Murray-Boyles, a potential NBA Draft pick. So, why the skepticism? Paris also saw his three best players — Meechie Johnson, Ta’Lon Cooper, and B.J. Mack — move on. None of the returners, even Murray-Boyles, has much experience as a critical cog in a rotation. Paris added Jamarii Thomas, a scoring point guard, from the portal, but the vet is making a big jump from the MEAC to the SEC. Alabama transfer Nick Pringle is a career reserve, while Missouri transfer Jordan Butler still needs ample development. Suppose Paris wants to serve another helping of crow to doubters. In that case, he’ll likely need Thomas to efficiently scale up his game and hope a reserve like Myles Stute experiences a late-career breakout. Yet, there’s almost no wiggle room to make this proposition pan out.

Read the South Carolina preview

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