SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

10. LSU

Recruiting allegations and violations finally caught up to Will Wade. Much of last season’s roster is gone along with their head coach, leaving Matt McMahon not only with a mess to clean up but an uneasy future. Nobody knows when exactly the hammer will come down against the Tigers or how severe the punishments will be, but that hasn’t stopped McMahon from rebuilding this roster with some familiar faces.

The former Murray State coach plucked two of his stars to come with him, with forward K. J. Williams (18.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg last year) and guard Justice Hill (13.4 ppg, 5.1 apg) both playing big roles on last season’s success for the Racers. The Tigers also get Adam Miller, the Illinois transfer guard who missed all of last year. 4-star forward Tyrell Ward is part of a solid first recruiting class for McMahon.

There’s some uncertainty surrounding this program, but there’s still a solid enough rotation of players. This LSU team will take a step back after losing just an immense level of talent to the Transfer Portal, but they still have enough talent to keep their heads above the water. We don’t know what the future is for LSU, but landing McMahon, perhaps the best mid-major coach poached in this year’s coaching carousel, was a great move for the future.