BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is stepping into the basketball spotlight, showcasing its depth and talent as Alabama currently stands as a top contender, diverting attention from the traditional football dominance. John Calipari leads a team that has high hopes, but it’s not at the University of Kentucky this season. With the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC now boasts 16 members and has matched its previous record of eight teams making it to the NCAA Tournament for the last two years, with aspirations for even more success this season.
The SEC presents a revamped look this year, with No. 2 Alabama on top, leading a total of nine teams appearing in the preseason AP Top 25 poll after Alabama’s historic run to the Final Four last year. Coaches from the SEC are proudly declaring their conference as the premier league in college basketball. Georgia’s coach Mike White confidently asserted that the SEC is now undoubtedly the best league in the sport, expressing optimism about the possibility of double-digit NCAA Tournament bids.
The ranked teams from the SEC include No. 2 Alabama, No. 11 Auburn, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 13 Texas A&M, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 19 Texas, No. 21 Florida, No. 23 Kentucky, and No. 24 Mississippi. Coach Nate Oats from Alabama is poised to embrace the expectations this season, especially after being selected to finish fifth in the SEC in the previous two seasons. Just days after the university celebrated their Final Four achievement by raising a banner at Coleman Coliseum, Oats remarked on the shift in expectations with this year’s roster.
Oats stated that he preferred to have a talented roster and deal with the pressure of high expectations rather than being underestimated. He noted that they would need alternative motivation since they wouldn’t have the typical “chip on their shoulder” mentality stemming from low preseason rankings.
Interestingly, this year marks a rare occasion as Alabama is positioned higher in basketball rankings compared to their football counterparts, who are ranked No. 7. Moreover, guard Mark Sears echoed a sentiment shared by Alabama’s past football coach, Nick Saban, regarding outside distractions being considered “rat poison.” As the SEC’s preseason player of the year, Sears emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and not getting caught up in external praise.
This offseason has been significant for the SEC beyond merely expanding its membership. After spending 15 seasons at Kentucky, Calipari has taken his talents to Arkansas, where he is expected to confront new challenges in a highly competitive league. Rick Barnes, the head coach of defending champion Tennessee and a friend of Calipari, remarked on how Calipari’s presence will only heighten the level of competition.
Calipari joins Arkansas after Eric Musselman achieved two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight during his tenure before moving to USC. He brings several former Kentucky players with him, including top recruits and Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis. When asked about his departure from Kentucky, Calipari emphasized his focus on the SEC and the challenges that lie ahead, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of the conference.
In a related development, Mark Pope, a former BYU coach and player, has stepped in at Kentucky, where he now faces the tough task of rebuilding the roster with numerous new players. Pope noted that his current players are not tied to past methods, allowing for a fresh start amid new expectations.
Calipari expressed confidence in Pope’s ability to succeed at Kentucky, stating that he believes Pope’s familiarity with the school positions him well for the challenges ahead. Despite this shift, the Wildcats are projected to finish eighth this season, marking their lowest predicted placement since the SEC eliminated divisions for basketball in the 2012-13 season.
Auburn’s coach, Bruce Pearl, questioned how the league’s competitiveness has evolved with figures like Calipari leading Arkansas and Pope at Kentucky, highlighting the dynamic shifts in the SEC landscape as the season unfolds.