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SEC Basketball: LSU, Tennessee rises in latest way-too-early power ranking for 2026-27

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) looks to pass during the first half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) looks to pass during the first half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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4. Texas Longhorns

2025-26 record: 21-15 (9-9)

Likely departures

  • Tramon Mark (14 ppg and 3.5 rpg)
  • Jordan Pope (13.1 ppg and 1.9 apg)
  • Chendall Weaver (5.8 ppg and 4.1 apg)
  • Lassina Traore (3.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg)
  • Dailyn Swain (17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 3.6 apg)
  • Simeon Wilcher (5.6 ppg and 1.7 apg)
  • Nic Codie (4.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg)
  • Camden Heide (5.9 ppg and 2.7 rpg)

Likely returnees

  • Matas Vokietatis (15.6 ppg and 7.1 rpg)

Roster additions

  • Isaiah Johnson (16.9 ppg and 3.0 apg at Colorado)
  • Mikey Lewis (13.9 ppg and 2.1 apg at Saint Mary’s)
  • Amari Evans (4.1 ppg and 3.2 rpg at Tennessee)
  • David Punch (14.1 ppg and 6.8 rpg at TCU)
  • Elyjah Freeman (9.2 ppg and 5.2 rpg at Auburn)
  • Austin Goosby (4-star guard prospect)
  • Bo Ogden (4-star guard prospect)

One of the top returning players in all of SEC Basketball is Vokietatis, who broke out as a sophomore after transferring in from FAU. He’s the lone returner but one the Longhorns needed, joined by arguably a better supporting cast. Next to Vokietatis in the frontcourt is Punch, who led the team in both scoring and rebounding at TCU to make one of the best inside duos in the nation.

But will the backcourt be better? Johnson was a standout freshman who led Colorado in scoring and will be surrounded by better talent. Evans is a quality defender, and Lewis is a sharpshooter, so collectively, it should mesh well at Texas.

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