Way Too Early SEC Basketball Preseason rankings for 2018-19

SEC Basketball: Way Too Early Preseason rankings for 2018-19

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: The Kentucky Wildcats look on late in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 15: Jalen Hudson /

6. Florida Gators 21-13 (11-7)

Mike White will be without three key players for next season, including center John Egbunu, who decided not to apply for a medical redshirt after missing the entire season with an ACL injury.

But the Gators should be fine, as long as Jalen Hudson doesn’t remain in the NBA Draft. There are three top-80 recruits coming in, to help replace the lost production, but it’ll be Florida’s defense that’ll carry them back to the Big Dance.

5. LSU Tigers 18-15 (8-10)

Head coach Will Wade did well with a less-talented team this year. Talent won’t be a problem next season, with the top SEC recruiting class coming in.

There are three top-30 kids coming in, led by five-star stud Naz Reid. The forward will form a deadly combination with sophomore point guard Tremont Waters, a frontrunner for SEC Player of the Year. The youth may rear its ugly head at times, but LSU is capable of playing with anybody.

4. Mississippi State Bulldogs 25-12 (9-9)

Head coach Ben Howland has brought his best recruiting class yet, led by five-star forward Reggie Perry. He along with Nick and Quinndary Weatherspoon will form one of the top frontlines in the SEC.

Mississippi State went to the Final Four of the NIT this season and had no seniors on the roster. There have been transfers before with this program recently, so it’s not a guarantee the key players are back. But there’s easily enough talent for the Bulldogs to join their fellow SEC peers in the Big Dance.

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