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

3. Auburn Tigers 26-8 (13-5)

After a surprisingly good season considering the circumstances, Auburn received both good and bad news regarding next year.

They will get back big man Danjel Purifoy after around 12 games, ending his role in the ongoing FBI saga. His presence will be huge in the frontcourt, especially after the latest batch of news.

Leading scorer Mustapha Heron has decided to enter the NBA Draft – and will sign with an agent. He wasn’t a projected selection in the first 60 picks, so his departure is literally a surprise. There’s still plenty of talent around, but the loss of Heron hurts.

2. Tennessee Volunteers 26-9 (13-5)

Volunteer fans are nervous right now, concerned that either SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams or Admiral Schofield might go pro. But if they both stay, this is a top-10 preseason team.

Only one player from the Vols main rotation is gone, and the top seven scorers get to come back to make another SEC title run. And there’s still a possibility that a grad transfer could come and make them the favorite over the current No. 1 team.

1. Kentucky Wildcats 26-11 (10-8)

There are three guys projected in the first round of the NBA Draft, and one of them – Kevin Knox, has announced that he’ll be leaving for the pros. That leaves Hamidou Diallo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander left, with a possible wildcard scenario concerning another player.

But Kentucky will be better just by getting older, with upperclassmen finally on the roster. The frontcourt in particular could be a strength, with more experience along with the development shown towards the end of this season.

Next: Early Preseason Top 25 for 2018-19

There’s another group of top-tier recruits coming in, likely as good as the previous groups. But they’ll have to deal with experience (Auburn and Tennessee), as well as talent (LSU and Miss St.) throughout the SEC. And whether they’re the defending champs or not, the Wildcats will have the targets on their back.