• 2023-24 results: 9-23 overall (4-14 in SEC)
• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: vs. Maryland Eastern on November 4

We start with the Vanderbilt Commodores, who are also the only SEC program poised to begin a new era in 2024-25. Mark Byington will take over as head coach of the Commodores and will have a new team headlined by transfer guard AJ Hoggard.

• 2023-24 results: 8-24 overall (0-18 in SEC)
• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: in Memphis on November 4

The Missouri Tigers were by far the worst team in the SEC last season, failing to win games by double digits for the first time since 2016-17. Missouri should be improved this season, however, led by a team headlined by the return of guard Tamar Bates.

• 2023-24 results: 20-12 overall (8-10 in Big 12)

• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against Lindenwood on November 4

THE Oklahoma Early join the SEC this season after a 20-12 season as a member of the Big 12 in which they missed the NCAA tournament for the third straight season under head coach Porter Moser. Now in the SEC, Oklahoma is likely in the bottom half of the conference, led by a roster that returns Jalon Moore.

• 2023-24 results: 17-16 overall (9-9 in SEC)
• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against UL Monroe on November 6

THE LSU Tigers enter year three of the Matt McMahon era after a season in which they barely had a winning record. LSU is likely cemented among the bottom half of the SEC entering the year, with the Tigers’ roster expected to be headlined by the return of Tyrell Ward.

• 2023-24 results: 20-17 overall (6-12 in SEC)
• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: vs. Tennessee Tech on November 4

THE Georgia Bulldogs enters the third year of the Mike White era in Athens without having made the NCAA tournament since 2015. Georgia will certainly fight for a spot in March, but led by a team that returns Silas Demary Jr., as well as the addition of Asa, a highly touted freshman. Newell.

• 2023-24 results: 26-8 overall (13-5 in SEC)
• Honors: No. 6 seed in NCAA tournament, round of 16 appearance
• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against North Florida on November 4

The South Carolina Gamecocks had one of their best seasons in recent memory a year ago, with the program winning more than 25 games for the first time since 2016-17. Looking ahead, South Carolina lost some talent, but also returned one of the SEC’s best forwards, Collin Murray-Boyles.

• 2023-24 results: 21-14 overall (8-10 in SEC)

• Honors: No. 8 seed in NCAA tournament, round of 16 appearance

• Preseason rankings: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll

• Opening of the season: against West Georgia on November 4

Mississippi State is one of the more intriguing SEC teams to watch heading into the 2024-25 season, following a year in which the Bulldogs made their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Bulldogs will be led by one of the SEC’s top scorers, returning guard Josh Hubbard, and are a potential sleeper team in the conference to watch.

• 2023-24 results: 20-12 overall (7-11 in SEC)
• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: No. 24 in AP Poll, No. 25 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against Long Island on November 4

The Ole Miss Rebels are entering the second year of the Chris Beard era and are likely set to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Leading the Rebels this season is one of the best guards in the SEC, Matthew Murrell.

• 2023-24 results: 23-10 overall (13-5 in SEC)
• Honors: No. 3 seed in NCAA tournament, round of 16 appearance
• Preseason rankings: No. 23 in AP Poll, No. 23 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: vs. Wright State on November 4

A new era begins in Lexington this season, as Mark Pope takes over. Kentucky program for deceased longtime head coach John Calipari. Pope inherits a new Kentucky team that added several newcomers this offseason, headlined by BYU transfer Jaxson Robinson.

• 2023-24 results: 21-13 overall (9-9 in SEC)
• Honors: No. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament, round of 16
• Preseason rankings: No. 19 in AP Poll, No. 19 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against Ohio State on November 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada

THE Texas Longhorns officially join the SEC this season after a year in which they made their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Texas will certainly have a talented team coming into the SEC, led by two of the conference’s best guards in Tramon Mark and freshman Tre Johnson.

• 2023-24 results: 21-15 overall (9-9 in SEC)
• Honors: No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament, round of 16
• Preseason rankings: No. 13 in AP Poll, No. 15 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: at UCF on November 4

Texas A&M had an impressive season a year ago, making the NCAA tournament for the second straight year under head coach Buzz Williams. The Aggies should have a similar season in 2024-25, led by one of the SEC’s best returning guards in Wade Taylor IV.

• 2023-24 results: 24-12 overall (11-7 in SEC)
• Honors: No. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament, appearance in the round of 16
• Preseason rankings: No. 21 in AP Poll, No. 21 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against South Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 4

THE Florida Alligators took a significant step forward a year ago in the second year of the Todd Golden era, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. Florida is now a sleeper team to watch in the SEC this season, as the Gators return a talented roster featuring Walter Clayton Jr. and Alex Condon.

• 2023-24 results: 16-17 overall (6-12 in SEC)
• Honors: N / A
• Preseason rankings: No. 16 in AP Poll, No. 16 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against Lipscomb on November 6

A new era begins in Fayetteville this season, as former Kentucky head coach John Calipari prepares to lead the Arkansas Razorbacks program through 2024-25. The Razorbacks have a revamped roster that includes transfers such as Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis alongside a highly touted freshman, and should make some noise in the SEC this season.

• 2023-24 results: 27-9 overall (14-4 in SEC)
• Honors: SEC regular season champion, No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Elite Eight appearance
• Preseason rankings: No. 12 in AP Poll, No. 12 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against Gardner-Webb on November 4

SEC regular season champion a year ago, Tennessee was also among the conference’s most successful teams in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Elite Eight. Tennessee will be tasked with replacing some talent, including SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht, but also returning some prominent names such as Zakai Zeigler.

• 2023-24 results: 27-8 overall (13-5 in SEC)
• Honors: SEC Tournament Champion, NCAA Tournament No. 4 seed, Round of 16 appearance
• Preseason rankings: No. 11 in AP Poll, No. 11 in Coaches Poll
• Opening of the season: against Vermont on November 6

THE Auburn Tigers were one of the best teams in the SEC a year ago, winning the SEC Tournament before a surprise loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Auburn should be one of the top teams in the SEC throughout the season, led by one of the best players in the country, forward Johni Broome.

• 2023-24 results: 25-12 overall (13-5 in SEC)
• Honors: No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, Final Four appearance
• Preseason rankings: #2 in AP Poll#2 in Coaches Survey
• Opening of the season: vs. UNC Asheville on November 4

THE Alabama Crimson Tide topping our 2024-25 SEC basketball preseason power rankings after their first-ever Final Four appearance. Nate Oats will begin the season with probably his most talented team yet in Alabama, led by Preseason SEC Player of the Year Mark Searsand are among the preseason favorites to end up winning the 2024-25 national championship.