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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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 10: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers shoots the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the semifinals of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 10, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Tennessee Volunteers

Like Auburn, Tennessee returns virtually everyone from last year’s co-conference championship team, including SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams.

Head coach Rick Barnes’ squad won’t sneak up on anyone this year (they were picked to finish 13th), they have the depth and defense to be a top-10/15 team nationally all season long.

That depth – seven players at least 5.6 points per game a year ago – was the key to their well-balanced offensive attack, but the Vols will continue to make their money (you know, if they could actually make any) on the defensive end. Tennessee ranked sixth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency last year and, with another year of playing together and getting more familiar with Barnes’ defensive philosophy, that defense should only improve.

If someone (likely Williams or Admiral Schofield) steps up as a go-to offensive option for this group, they’ll be really dangerous.

But, for now, they lack the top-end talent to oust what we project from the top team in our rankings.

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