Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2021-22 season

By Matt Melton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Juwan Gary #4 and Jahvon Quinerly #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate connecting on a alley oop dunk as head coach Ben Howland of the Mississippi State Bulldogs calls a timeout during the first half of their quarterfinal game in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Juwan Gary #4 and Jahvon Quinerly #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate connecting on a alley oop dunk as head coach Ben Howland of the Mississippi State Bulldogs calls a timeout during the first half of their quarterfinal game in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball Jaylin Williams Auburn Tigers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
SEC Basketball Jaylin Williams Auburn Tigers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – Auburn Tigers

Arguably the youngest team in the SEC last season, it was a difficult year for Auburn who finished below .500 both overall and the SEC, the exact opposite of recent years.

It was definitely a step back for Bruce Pearl’s Tigers during the 2020-2021 season. Auburn only got 12 games from star freshman Sharife Cooper but had a few younger players take the next step making the Tigers a potential threat in the SEC next season.

The frontcourt will be set for the Tigers as they will return forwards Jaylin Williams, Dylan Cardwell, Babatunde Akingbola, and Chris Moore for a team that averaged 6 blocks per game. Insert Top 5 national player and 5-star power forward Jabari Smith, who should be one of the best big men in the SEC, as well as North Carolina transfer Walker Kessler and potentially a returning JT Thor to make up a loaded and deep front-court.

The question for how good the Tigers can be next season 100% comes in the backcourt. Auburn will lose at least three of their top four guards from last season with a decision upcoming from Allen Flanigan who averaged 14.3 PPG, second on the Tigers roster. If Flanigan returns, the Tigers would have a nice mix of guards with returning Devan Cambridge, transfer Zep Jasper, and incoming 4-star guard Trey Alexander.

Auburn should be improved next season with an extra year of experience for their younger players, combined with a dominant post-presence in Smith. If the Tigers can add 1-2 more quality transfers combined with Flanigan and Thor returning, Auburn should return to the top half of the SEC, as well as being a very dangerous team next season.

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