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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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15. Ole Miss Rebels 

2025-26 record: 15-20 (4-14)

Likely departures

  • AJ Storr (15.5 ppg and 3.1 rpg)
  • Malik Dia (14.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg)
  • Travis Perry (5.3 ppg and 1.6 rpg)
  • Kezza Giffa (5.9 ppg and 1.3 apg)
  • Eduardo Klafke (4.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg)
  • James Scott (3.9 ppg and 4.6 rpg)
  • Corey Chest (2.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg)
  • Augusto Cassia (2.2 ppg and 1.6 rpg)

Likely returnees 

  • Ilias Kamardine (11.3 ppg and 3.8 apg)
  • Patton Pinkins (9.3 ppg and 1.9 rpg)

Roster additions

  • Adam Clark (12.7 ppg and 4.9 apg at Seton Hall)
  • Dasear Haskins (11.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg at St. Joe’s)
  • Roman Siulepa (11 ppg and 5.5 rpg at Pittsburgh)
  • Christian Brown (3.0 ppg and 3.8 rpg at James Madison)
  • Santiago Trouet (8.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg at Arizona State)
  • Stefan Cicic (4.5 ppg and 2.6 rpg at Pepperdine)

Kamardine getting a waiver for an extra year is big for the Rebels, as he had a great start to last season before slowing down. Pinkins is a breakout candidate, while Siulepa had a strong first year at Pitt and could be a focal part of the frontcourt.

The issue for Ole Miss is, can Kamardine be the best player on an SEC-contending team? Even if the expectation is that they’ll be better on the defensive end, it’s a roster filled with good role players and 3rd and 4th offensive options, but lacking that clear-cut lead guy and all-league performer to move up the SEC ladder.

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