SEC Basketball: 10 key questions looming for the 2021-22 season

Things were turned upside down in the SEC basketball landscape this past season. The Alabama Crimson Tide won their first conference tournament championship since 1991, their first regular-season title since 2002, and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018.

Head coach Nate Oats even took home the SEC Coach of the Year Award in 2020-21. He isn’t the only one putting his SEC squad on the map, either.

The SEC looks to win back-to-back SEC/Big 12 Challenges after winning last season’s matchup 5-4. One game in last year’s challenge was canceled, but it was full of upsets and exciting games. This year’s matchups should be equally entertaining.

The coaching power in SEC basketball is starting to show itself on the recruiting trail. With a host of coaches starting to take hold of their programs, the talent pool continues to grow in the SEC.

The Missouri Tigers are one of a few teams turning things around in SEC country. They made their first NCAA Tournament since 2017 under head coach Cuonzo Martin. They’ll look to keep things going in 2021-22.

The Alabama Crimson Tide was last year’s surprise team in the SEC and there’s room for others to make some waves. Given the down seasons that the Vanderbilt Commodores, Auburn Tigers, and South Carolina Gamecocks, look for one of them to make some noise this upcoming season.

The 2021 NBA Draft saw 12 players the SEC selected across the annual two-round event. Players from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Arkansas heard their names called on Draft Night. The SEC led all conferences with seven first-round selections.

With the exodus of players to the next level, a few programs will have some holes to fill on both ends to return their same caliber of a season ago if not more improved.

There’s a ton to look forward to as another season of SEC basketball approaches. Here’s a look at 10 looming questions for the 2021-22 season.