Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Caleb Hightower

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: The arena sits unused after the announcement of the cancellation of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament has been cancelled due to the growing concern about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: The arena sits unused after the announcement of the cancellation of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament has been cancelled due to the growing concern about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 15: Desi Sills #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 15: Desi Sills #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

6. team. 524. . . . Razorbacks

2019-20 SEC Record: 7-11 

It is no secret that Arkansas had somewhat of a roller-coaster off-season that resulted in them losing three key players from last season. I knew that Mason Jones was going to head to the next level after a remarkable 2019-20 season, and everyone knew that Eric Musselman’s incoming recruits were going to run Jalen Harris out of Fayetteville, but Isaiah Joe’s decision to re-enter his name into the NBA Draft (after announcing that he was going to return to school in early August) did befuddle me.

I remember originally telling myself that when the off-season concluded, Arkansas had to retain at least one of those players if they wanted to have success this year, but sadly it did not work out like that. Then, I remembered that the Razorbacks have one of the top 2020 recruiting classes, which is what Arkansas fans have been yearning for. They no longer have the luxury of saying “these players are Mike Anderson’s (former Arkansas head coach) recruits, so you can’t really fault Eric Musselman for the recent struggles.”

Justin Smith (Indiana graduate transfer), Vance Jackson Jr. (New Mexico graduate transfer), Jalen Tate (Northern Kentucky graduate transfer), and Connor Vanover (California transfer, who many are excited to see back on the hardwood this season), could prove to be outstanding additions as well.

So yes, Arkansas will be without their most creative scorer (Mason Jones, who was named Co-SEC player of the year last season, and was starting to become a trustworthy leader for the Razorbacks ), quick and witty distributor (Jalen Harris, who will be suiting up for Georgetown this season), and lights out three-point shooter (Isaiah Joe, who made 94 threes last season), which may cause some problems for them early on in the season.

In spite of that, Musselman will have a lot more talent to work with this year, and with a fearless attacker, Desi Sills set to have a breakout year, the Razorbacks could be in for an exciting season.

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