SEC Basketball: 5 key questions and storylines for 2021-22 season

5. Who wins the SEC regular-season title?

Hightower

Although I really like Alabama’s 2021-22 roster (despite the fact that they’ll be without Nimari Burnett this year), my gut is telling me that I should give the edge to Arkansas in the SEC regular-season title race. I’ve already discussed Chris Lykes’ capabilities on both ends of the floor, but Davonte Davis and JD Notae are two returning guards that Eric Musselman will utilize heavily this year.

After what I witnessed from the pair throughout Arkansas’ sensational 2020-21 season, I have no doubt in my mind that they will rise to the occasion in 2021-22. I think that the race will come down to Alabama and Arkansas in early March, but in my opinion, the Razorbacks have enough talent to finish a game or two ahead of the Crimson Tide in the conference standings.

Beard

Kentucky. From top to bottom they just have too much talent and unlike most years, they have tons of experience. Combine that with the huge chip on their shoulders and I think they run away with it.

Melton

Alabama. The Crimson Tide did lose notable talent from last season that included the 2020-21 SEC Player of the Year Herbert Jones but have reloaded with a roster headlined by returning guards Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford, as well as incoming five-star JD Davison. The injury to transfer guard Nimari Burnett will hurt, especially defensively, but the Crimson Tide has the depth to be a force in the conference once again.

While Alabama may win the regular season for the second consecutive year, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas are right behind them, and the gap will likely be slimmer in the regular season than the 2.5 games it was a year ago.

Zacher

This may be hypocritical after being negative towards Mississippi State’s haul from the transfer portal, but I’m convinced that Arkansas will be one of the most dangerous sleepers in the country this coming season.  Losing Moses Moody, Justin Smith, Jalen Tate, and Desi Sills hurts – a lot – but the job that Eric Musselman has done to reload with a plethora of double-digit scorers from power schools and mid-majors has been wildly impressive.

Time will tell how Chris Lykes looks after seeing his senior campaign prematurely halted at Miami due to an ankle injury, but if his three-point shooting numbers remain as stellar as they did in 2019-20 (38.1%) – in addition to the 34.0% from Pittsburgh’s Au’diese Toney (14.4 ppg) and 35.5% from South Dakota’s Stanley Umude (21.6 ppg) – then the Razorbacks are going to be absolutely terrifying from long range.

Additionally, Toney, Umude, Wichita State transfer Trey Wade, and Arkansas-Little Rock star Kamani Johnson all averaged at least 5.5 boards last season, and with a pair of stretch fives available in 7-2 Connor Vanover and 6-10 Jaylin Williams, then Arkansas will also be a tough-out inside when it comes to the rebounding battle.  If Kentucky struggles to establish itself with its new core, watch for Arkansas’ firepower to overtake the SEC.