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SEC Basketball: Hypothetical division setup for 2020-21 season

By Ryan Kay

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 26: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats defends the shot of Mason Jones #13 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on February 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 26: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats defends the shot of Mason Jones #13 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on February 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – JANUARY 25: Mascot Big Red of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – JANUARY 25: Mascot Big Red of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Arkansas wins the SEC West Division

Some may argue that Arkansas being able to win the SEC West if such a division existed in SEC college basketball this season is unrealistic. The argument against that is those same fans and experts said similar things about the 2018-19 Texas Tech team.

That Red Raiders team were not supposed to go to the national championship game that year, nor expected to be in the top-3 of their conference. However, with a good highly motived coach in Chris Beard, graduate transfers, and a group of hard-working players willing to put in the work.

This Razorbacks team on paper may not look like a championship contender but with Eric Musselman in his second year at the helm of the Arkansas program, good depth, and experience, a talented incoming freshmen class, and along with a group of productive transfers this team would win the SEC West Division in 2021.

Kentucky wins the SEC East Division

Believe it or not, Kentucky is not the overwhelmingly favorite or even the favorite by the majority of fans and experts predicting the outcome of the SEC’s final standings. However, the Wildcats would win the SEC East if such a division existed in SEC college basketball this season. Kentucky does have some uncertainty heading into this season but every team has at least some uncertainty for this season. The Wildcats are also not recruiting as they have in years past.

However, this team has similarities to the 2015-16 North Carolina team. Another “blue blood” school that at the time, was not recruiting and getting various 5-star recruits to play for them like in years past but still getting good quality players.

Like the Tar Heels, Kentucky has a legendary coach who knows what it takes to win championships. The Wildcat team has talented freshmen but also a decent blend of a couple of experienced players and some impact transfers.

Next. SEC preseason power rankings for 2020-21. dark

Calipari is following a certain blueprint for this season that is somewhat unique if you were to compare it to how he approached other seasons but success appears to be on the horizon for the Wildcats. Expect Kentucky to play very well in SEC play this season and compete for championships once again.

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