SEC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Brian Rauf | Jun 26, 2018

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats speaks to PJ Washington #25 in the first 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 15: Jalen Hudson #3 of the Florida Gators talks with head coach Mike White as they take on the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

6. Florida Gators

I admittedly may be sleeping a bit on Florida’s standing going into this season but that’s just how strong the conference will be.

Florida is replacing point guard Chris Chiozza with five-star Andrew Nembhard, who is expected to take over the reins and help the Gators become a more consistent team, something that escaped them in 2018 on the heels of their Elite Eight run.

That consistency will fall on the shoulders of several talented returners for Florida. Jalen Hudson made the decision to return to school after testing draft waters and head coach Mike White is counting on him and KeVaughn Allen to become the all-conference type performers they were expected to be a season ago.

Florida’s identity has changed to become more of a defense-first program but if they can generate offense consistently, this core is tough to beat. The Gators were 18-4 last season when they scored at least 70 points. By comparison, they were only 3-9 when they did not.

If Hudson and Allen (along with Nembhard) become those reliable scoring threats, Florida may find themselves right in the middle of the conference title race. However, I’m not willing to throw all of my eggs into that basket without them proving it first.

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