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SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Curtis Wilkerson

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 17: The Auburn Tigers hold the winner's trophy after the 84-64 win against the Tennessee Volunteers during the final of the SEC Basketball Championships at Bridgestone Arena on March 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 17: The Auburn Tigers hold the winner's trophy after the 84-64 win against the Tennessee Volunteers during the final of the SEC Basketball Championships at Bridgestone Arena on March 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – MARCH 09: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Florida Gators (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

SEC basketball is due for a resurgence after a bit of a down year in 2019-20. The league will have an influx of talent, welcoming 5 of the country’s top 10 recruiting classes next season. Here’s a way too early outlook for ’20-21.

SEC basketball has been on the rise overall the past few seasons but slipped a bit in 2019-20, at least when compared to recent history. Prior to the abrupt end to the season, the SEC was most likely destined to be just a four-bid league which is a disappointment compared to 7 and 8 the previous two years.

Kentucky won the regular-season title, and along with Auburn, looked to be formidable enough to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. Florida and LSU were likely locks to receive bids but underachieved compared to their high preseason expectations.

Aside from that group of four, Mississippi State was probably the bubble team that had the best chance of sneaking in with a good showing at the SEC Tournament. South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas were all most likely on the outside looking in.

The down year should be an anomaly, though, for the SEC. The league is deep with high-quality coaches. Several of these were hired in the last year and are expected to elevate their programs, the likes of which including Buzz Williams (Texas A&M), Eric Musselman (Arkansas), Nate Oats (Alabama), and Jerry Stackhouse (Vanderbilt).

Then there is the recruiting, which is more competitive than ever. It is well-known that SEC programs saturate the top of annual recruiting rankings in football. Not to be outdone, the league now boasts 5 incoming 2020 basketball classes in the top 7 nationally according to 247.

That influx of talent combined with a few surprising returns and the addition of several top transfers has the SEC looking like one of the deepest and most competitive leagues in the country headed into the 2020-21 season. I could see the SEC getting anywhere between 6-8 bids to the NCAA Tournament next season.

There is still quite a bit of roster movement to come between transfers in and out as well as some pending NBA draft decisions, but what better time to take a stab at some early power rankings? Here’s a way too early look at how the SEC might shake out in the year to come.

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