NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 2021 Big 12/SEC Challenge matchups

2. Texas at Kentucky

This is the ultimate roster contrast, as Texas brings literally everyone back while adding five-star freshman forward Greg Brown. Compare that to Kentucky, who lost everyone outside of Keion Brooks but replaced them with a No. 1 recruiting class, as well as Wake Forest transfer center Olivier Sarr.

This game could get sloppy, as the more experienced Longhorns squad doesn’t have the shooting or the overall offense to force Kentucky to play catchup. At the same time, the young Wildcats aren’t going to intimidate a roster filled with juniors and seniors. Coach Shaka Smart’s job may be on the line if he doesn’t take this team to the NCAA Tournament. In a game so important, look for the veterans to pull this out in crunch time.

Prediction: Texas

1. Kansas at Tennessee

In a twist, it’s the Vols who have more incoming five-star talent this season, led by Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer. Add Josiah Jordan-James and you have a highly-regarded, yet experienced backcourt. The veterans for Tennessee lies in its frontcourt, with seniors John Fulkerson, Yves Pons, and EJ Anosike inside.

Kansas does have a five-star freshman in guard Bryce Thompson, who’ll be paired with senior point guard Marcus Garrett. Tyon Grant-Foster is the No. 1 incoming JUCO transfer this season and will have to play like it to provide the needed offense for the Jayhawks, Inside, David McCormack is a legit replacement for Big 12 Player of the Year Udoka Azubuike but he’ll have to contend with the Vols depth. That likely will be too much for Kansas to overcome on the road.

Prediction: Tennessee

For my very early preseason predictions for the challenge, I have the SEC winning, 6-4. However, this is a very evenly matched pairings this time around, with few blowouts being seen. That should give us a great day of hoops on January 30th, which plenty of ramifications from these results.