4. LSU Tigers
After finishing dead last in the SEC this past season, there’s a need for the program to add as much talent as possible. They recently lost shooting guard Adam Miller but did bring back Cam Hayes. LSU also recently added Vanderbilt wing Jordan Wright and a massive transfer pickup in Jalen Cook, a lead guard that averaged around 20 ppg at Tulane in the past two seasons.
Pairing Jones and Cook could be an offensively explosive backcourt for LSU and help them move up the SEC next year. On the other hand, there are two other SEC programs in this list alone that made the NCAA Tournament and will have just as big of roles as well.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
One of those teams is Alabama, who will be losing leading scorer Brandon Miller, along with guards Nimari Burnett and Jaden Bradley. They bring back Mark Sears, who was a successful transfer pickup from Ohio a year ago, and could have Jahvon Quinerly back for a 6th season.
Without Miller around, the Tide could easily run a three-guard offense if need be. And if Wichita State transfer Jaykwon Walton isn’t ruled eligible for next season, that opens up things even more. Plus, the local ties will be a key selling point to Jones as well.