2024-25 SEC Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 SEC Basketball Preview, where we explore one of college basketball’s most talent-packed conferences. Last season brought success for Alabama, who reached the Final Four, and Tennessee, who made it to the Elite Eight. Auburn won the SEC Tournament but faced an early exit in the first round against Yale, while South Carolina, despite finishing second in the standings, was also eliminated in the first round by Oregon. This season, Texas and Oklahoma join the conference, adding to an already impressive depth that may be the best in college basketball. High-level transfers and five-star freshmen arrivals make the SEC a powerhouse from top to bottom.

Leading the conference once more is Alabama, which returns star player and SEC Player of the Year contender Mark Sears, who’s also in the running for National Player of the Year. The Crimson Tide also added three impactful transfers: Chris Youngblood from USF, Clifford Omoruyi from Rutgers, and Aden Holloway from Auburn, all expected to play major roles.

Auburn poses a significant challenge, returning National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, one of the best all-around players. Joining him is Chad Baker-Mazara, a breakout candidate, along with experienced transfer point guard JP Pegues from Furman and talented freshman Tahaad Pettiford.

Tennessee brings back elite point guard Zakai Zeigler and has bolstered its roster with high-scoring transfers Chaz Lanier from North Florida and Darlinstone Dubar from Hofstra. Their new frontcourt features seasoned additions Igor Milicic Jr. from Charlotte and Felix Okpara from Ohio State.

Arkansas enters the season with a new coach, John Calipari, who brought along two former Kentucky players, DJ Wagner and Adou Theiro. Key transfer additions like Johnell Davis from FAU and Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee should help the Razorbacks remain competitive.

Texas A&M returns star Wade Taylor IV, pairing him in the backcourt with SMU transfer Zhuric Phelps, while the frontcourt gains a boost from Minnesota transfer Pharrel Payne. Texas, close on their heels, features top-5 freshman recruit Tre Johnson and a trio of transfers: point guard Jordan Pope from Oregon State, Tramon Mark from Arkansas, and veteran Arthur Kaluma from Kansas State, giving Texas a formidable scoring lineup.

Kentucky, now led by head coach Mark Pope, changed its recruiting strategy by adding key transfers like BYU’s Jaxson Robinson and top three-point shooter Koby Brea from Dayton. Defensive specialist Amari Williams from Drexel and high-major veteran Andrew Carr also join the roster, providing depth and consistency.

Ole Miss boasts one of the SEC’s best backcourts with Matthew Murrell, Sean Pedulla from Virginia Tech, and Dre Davis from Seton Hall. This trio forms a cohesive scoring unit, although their smaller frontcourt could face challenges. Florida brings a solid backcourt with Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard, alongside FAU transfer Alijah Martin. Freshman Oliver Rioux, standing at 7’9″, could provide a unique backup presence for the Gators’ frontcourt.

Mississippi State returns rising star Josh Hubbard and Penn State transfer Kanye Clary, bolstered by Florida transfer Riley Kugel and returning standout Cameron Matthews. Missouri made impactful additions with Tony Perkins from Iowa and Duke’s Mark Mitchell, while South Carolina looks to breakout candidate Collin Murray-Boyles to lead the Gamecocks.

Georgia has an impact freshman in Asa Newell, who’s expected to start, along with sophomores Silas Demary Jr. and Blue Cain, who aim for breakout seasons. Vanderbilt revamped its starting lineup, led by Michigan State transfer AJ Hoggard at point guard. Cornell transfer Chris Manon, one of last season’s most efficient mid-major players, will also be a key contributor.

Oklahoma, though hit hard by departures, hopes to stay competitive by rebuilding its backcourt through the transfer portal, while LSU has done the same, bringing in UT Martin’s Jordan Sears to lead at point guard alongside Power 5 scorer Cam Carter.

With so much high-level talent, the SEC is set to deliver some of the most competitive and thrilling basketball in the country as detailed in our 2024-25 SEC Basketball Preview.

SEC Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

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

SEC Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Mark Sears, Alabama

Defensive Player of the Year: Johni Broome, Auburn

Newcomer of the Year: Johnell Davis, Arkansas

Freshman of the Year: Tre Johnson, Texas

Coach of the Year: Nate Oats, Alabama

SEC Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Zakai Ziegler, Tennessee

Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M

Mark Sears, Alabama

Johnell Davis, Arkansas

Johni Broome, Auburn

Alabama Crimson Tide

Projected Starters:

PG: Mark Sears (21.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg)

SG: Latrell Wrightsell, Jr. (8.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Chris Youngblood (15.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.1 apg @ USF)

PF: Grant Nelson (11.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.5 apg)

C: Clifford Omoruyi (10.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.5 apg @ Rutgers)

6M: Aden Holloway (7.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.7 apg @ Auburn)

Arkansas Razorbacks

Projected Starters:

PG: D.J. Wagner (9.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.3 apg @ Kentucky)

SG: Johnell Davis (18.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.9 apg @ FAU)

SF: Adou Thiero (7.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apg @ Kentucky)

PF: Trevon Bazile (8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Jonas Aidoo (11.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.0 apg @ Tennessee)

6M: Boogie Fland (FR)

Auburn Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: JP Pegues (18.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.8 apg @ Furman)

SG: Denver Jones (9.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.3 apg)

SF: Miles Kelly (13.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Georgia Tech)

PF: Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg)

C: Johni Broome (16.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.2 apg)

6M: Tahaad Pettiford (FR)

Florida Gators

Projected Starters:

PG: Walter Clayton, Jr. (17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg)

SG: Alijah Martin (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg @ FAU)

SF: Will Richard (11.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.3 apg)

PF: Alex Condon (7.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.2 apg)

C: Rueben Chinyelu (4.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.1 apg @ Washington State)

6M: Sam Alexis (10.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Chattanooga)

Georgia Bulldogs

Projected Starters:

PG: Silas Demary, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg)

SG: Blue Cain (7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.8 apg)

SF: Tyrin Lawrence (13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Vanderbilt)

PF: Asa Newell (FR)

C: Justin Abson (7.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.4 apg @ Appalachian State)

6M: RJ Godfrey (6.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Clemson)

Kentucky Wildcats

Projected Starters:

PG: Lamont Butler (9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.0 apg @ San Diego State)

SG: Jaxson Robinson (14.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg @ BYU)

SF: Koby Brea (11.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Dayton)

PF: Andrew Carr (13.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Wake Forest)

C: Amari Williams (12.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Drexel)

6M: Kerr Kriisa (11.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.7 apg @ West Virginia)

LSU Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: Jordan Sears (21.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.5 apg @ UT Martin)

SG: Cam Carter (14.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.6 apg @ Kansas State)

SF: Tyrell Ward (9.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.8 apg)

PF: Derek Fountain (5.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Jalen Reed (7.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.9 apg)

6M: Mike Williams III (7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Projected Starters:

PG: Josh Hubbard (17.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.7 apg)

SG: Kanye Clary (16.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg @ Penn State)

SF: Riley Kugel (9.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Florida)

PF: Cameron Matthews (9.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.9 apg)

C: KeShawn Murphy (4.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.0 apg)

6M: Claudell Harris, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.1 apg @ Boston College)

Missouri Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: Tony Perkins (14.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.6 apg @ Missouri)

SG: Caleb Grill (8.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Tamar Bates (13.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.3 apg)

PF: Mark Mitchell (11.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.1 apg @ Duke)

C: Josh Gray (3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.5 apg @ South Carolina)

6M: Marques Warrick (19.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg @ Northern Kentucky)

Oklahoma Sooners

Projected Starters:

PG: Duke Miles (17.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.6 apg @ High Point)

SG: Kobe Elvis (9.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.5 apg @ Dayton)

SF: Glenn Taylor, Jr. (4.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg @ St. John’s)

PF: Jalon Moore (11.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Sam Godwin (6.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.7 apg)

6M: Mohamed Wague (3.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.5 apg @ Alabama)

Ole Miss Rebels

Projected Starters:

PG: Sean Pedulla (16.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.6 apg @ Virginia Tech)

SG: Matthew Murrell (16.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg)

SF: Dre Davis (15.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg @ Seton Hall)

PF: Jaemyn Brakefield (12.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 apg)

C: Malik Dia (16.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Belmont)

6M: Mikael Brown-Jones (18.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.1 apg @ UNC Greensboro)

South Carolina Gamecocks

Projected Starters:

PG: Jamarii Thomas (16.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.8 apg @ Norfolk State)

SG: Myles Stute (8.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg)

SF: Zachary Davis (5.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 apg)

PF: Collin Murray-Boyles (10.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.8 apg)

C: Nick Pringle (6.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.7 apg @ Alabama)

6M: Cam Scott (FR)

Tennessee Volunteers

Projected Starters:

PG: Zakai Ziegler (11.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.1 apg)

SG: Chaz Lanier (19.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.8 apg @ North Florida)

SF: Jahmai Mashack (4.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 apg)

PF: Igor Milicic, Jr. (12.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.7 apg @ Charlotte)

C: Felix Okpara (6.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 0.5 apg @ Ohio State)

6M: Darlinstone Dubar (17.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.4 apg @ Hofstra)

Texas Longhorns

Projected Starters:

PG: Jordan Pope (17.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.4 apg @ Oregon State)

SG: Tre Johnson (FR)

SF: Tramon Mark (16.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Arkansas)

PF: Arthur Kaluma (14.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg @ Kansas State)

C: Kadin Shedrick (7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Julian Larry (11.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.8 apg @ Indiana State)

Texas A&M Aggies

Projected Starters:

PG: Wade Taylor IV (19.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.0 apg)

SG: Zhuric Phelps (14.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg @ SMU)

SF: Manny Obaseki (7.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.7 apg)

PF: Henry Coleman III (8.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.7 apg)

C: Pharrel Payne (10.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Minnesota)

6M: Andersson Garcia (6.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.5 apg)

Vanderbilt Commodores

Projected Starters:

PG: AJ Hoggard (10.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.2 apg @ Michigan State)

SG: Jason Edwards (19.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 apg @ North Texas)

SF: Chris Manon (12.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg @ Cornell)

PF: Devin McGlockton (10.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 apg @ Boston College)

C: Kijani Wright (3.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.4 apg @ USC)

6M: Tyler Nickel (8.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg @ Virginia Tech)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 SEC Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the Southern Conference. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

• America East Conference Preview
• American Athletic Conference Preview
• ACC Conference Preview
• ASUN Conference Preview
• A10 Conference Preview
• Big East Conference Preview
• Big Sky Conference Preview
• Big South Conference Preview
• Big Ten Conference Preview
• Big 12 Conference Preview
• Big West Conference Preview
• CAA Conference Preview
• CUSA Conference Preview
• Horizon Conference Preview
• Ivy Conference Preview
• MAAC Conference Preview
• MAC Conference Preview
• MEAC Conference Preview
• Missouri Valley Conference Preview
• Mountain West Conference
• NEC Conference
• Ohio Valley Conference
• Patriot Conference

Cover Image: Photo Credit: Southeastern Conference (SEC)