Busting Brackets
Fansided

SEC Basketball: Biggest roster needs for each team for 2021-22 season

By Matt Melton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats instructs his players in a time out against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of their second round game in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats instructs his players in a time out against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of their second round game in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
SEC Basketball
SEC Basketball Jaylin Williams Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Alabama Crimson Tide

Biggest Need: Small Forward

The Crimson Tide will lose a 4-year starter in senior John Petty Jr, who leaves Tuscaloosa as Alabama’s all-time leading 3-point shooter. The 2020-21 SEC Regular Season and Tournament Champions will return a loaded roster, but if there is a potential unknown on the roster, it’s replacing Petty at SF.

Alabama has the talent to do this however but will need someone to step up in his place. Freshman Joshua Primo and junior Keon Ellis showed last season they can play multiple positions, while freshman Darius Miles and incoming 4-star forward Jusaun Holt could also play pivotal roles with Holt especially replacing Petty’s shooting abilities. Alabama’s roster is loaded with talent potentially not needing any other additions, but if they did add more, SF would make a lot of sense.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Biggest Need: Power Forward

After finding success in the transfer portal a year ago allowing them to reach the Elite 8, the Razorbacks have already added help in the backcourt with transfers Stanley Umude, Chris Lykes, and Au’Diese Toney. The biggest hole currently on the roster however comes in the frontcourt, in particular replacing Justin Smith.

Looking back, Smith was one of the best transfers last offseason, and Arkansas must replace him to contend once again in the SEC. Counting on Connor Vanover and Jaylin Williams to take the next step next season to replace Smith’s production may be too big of an ask to come true, while counting on incoming 3-star forward Akol Mawein to average 10+ PPG right away may also be unlikely. If the Hogs can add an instant impact power forward in the coming weeks, they could be the same, if not better, next season.

Home/SEC