Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Jerran Anderson

Alabama head coach Nate Oats watches a shot fall in during practice for the Crimson Tide Men’s Basketball team Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats watches a shot fall in during practice for the Crimson Tide Men’s Basketball team Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. /
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Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Last season: 21-13, 8-10 in the SEC

The Chris Jans era is off to a good start after the former 3-time WAC Coach of the Year led the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. The Bulldogs finished 21-13 and tied with the Arkansas Razorbacks at ninth place in the conference standings in 2022-23.

Mississippi State ranked ninth in scoring defense (61.0 points allowed per game) across the NCAA under Coach Jans. The Bulldogs won eight conference games this past season and enter the year as the No. 6 team in the preseason conference power rankings with seven players back and three additions out of the transfer portal including Andrew Taylor (Marshall).

Taylor is a 6-foot-3 guard who should change their trajectory given his prowess in the backcourt. He produced 20.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.7 rpg and 2.1 spg on 36.4 percent shooting from deep in the Sun Belt this past season. He finished second in the conference in steals (67) and 3-pointers made (83) in 2022-23. He’ll look to boost the Bulldogs’ backcourt in the high-major ranks this upcoming season.

After making the First Four, the Bulldogs look poised to turn a corner with Tolu Smith (currently out until SEC play with an injury), Shakeel Moore, Dashawn Davis, D.J. Jeffries and Cameron Matthews, among others, all returning and looking to contribute to their success even more. There’s an experienced cast of players in the rotation with more to prove and given their additions, Mississippi State could be a contending force in 2023-24.

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