Technically, SEC Basketball took a step back this past season, with just 10 teams making the NCAA Tournament, down from a record 14 the year prior. Still, the traditionally dominant football conference has shown it can dominate in college basketball as well.
So far this offseason, a number of big names have made decisions, whether via the NBA Draft or the transfer portal. A few programs have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the SEC, with others still needing to make moves to feel good about their postseason hopes in 2027.
Here’s the latest way-too-early power rankings for SEC Basketball.
16. South Carolina Gamecocks
2025-26 record: 13-19 (4-14)
Likely departures
- Meechie Johnson (17.2 ppg and 4.3 apg)
- Mike Sharavjamts (10.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg)
- Kobe Knox (10.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg)
- Elijah Strong (10 ppg and 2.3 rpg)
- Eli Ellis (8.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg)
- Myles Stute (5.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg)
- Nordin Kapic (3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg)
- Jordan Butler (2.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg)
- Christ Essandoko (2.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg)
Likely returnees
- Grant Polk (3.8 ppg and 1.1 rpg)
- Hayden Assemian (2.4 ppg and 2.5 rpg)
Roster additions
- Kory Mincy (14.3 ppg and 2.9 apg at George Mason)
- Shane Blakeney (14.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg at Drexel)
- Aleksas Bieliauskas (4.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg at Wisconsin)
- Camden Hiede (5.9 ppg and 2.7 rpg at Texas)
- Davion Hannah (3.3 ppg and 1.9 rpg at Alabama)
- Jakub Necas (6.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg at Duquesne)
- Marcus Johnson (4-star guard prospect)
The Meechie Johnson reunion ultimately didn’t work out in the win-loss column for the Gamecocks. But unless Mincy can step up as the lead guard, offense could be a big issue for them next season. Two key guys to watch are Hannah and Bieliauskas, two breakout sophomore candidates who’ll have larger roles on this team.
On the bright side, this should be a good defensive unit, with forwards such as Hiede and Necas coming in as effective role players. But the scoring concerns raise big alarms on paper for this unit.
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