2022 SEC men’s basketball preview
Alabama
Nate Oats continues to be the reason why this Alabama team has been able to succeed in the past three years. Oats has restacked the team to make a push for the NCAA tournament. While the SEC is extremely talented, the Crimson Tide look like they may only lose a few games.
Arkansas
Eric Musselman continues to be a mastermind when building this team and bolstering it to go to back-to-back Elite Eight games. Nick Smith is a player that can lead this team further than the Elite Eight, especially with the transfer portal talent that this team got this off-season.
Auburn
The Tigers roster was one of the most talented that they have had in the past decade, including the team that went to the Final Four in 2019. It stings to lose Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith but the team has been reloaded with similar talent and depth. If this team clicks early then look for Auburn to be a top three team in the SEC.
Florida
The Gators fell just short of a trip to the NCAA tournament last year after a senior-heavy team went 20-14. Todd Golden added guard Kyle Lofton to the starting roster and has kept almost all of his players. A trip to the tournament may not happen this year but that trip is being booked for the near future.
Georgia
After one of the worst seasons in program history last season, the Bulldogs hired former Florida coach Mike White. This season is one that Georgia fans should look away for with the team getting a new coach, wings and having a lack of talent in the paint. The future is bright but for now this team will stick around the same six-win record that they had last season.
Kentucky
The Wildcats were the most disappointing team last season after getting upset in the first round of the tournament. However, you can bet that the criticism from that loss will be their fuel for their incredible fire in the season. Kentucky is heavily favored to win the SEC, they just need a sharpshooter to make this team perfect to win the NCAA tournament.
LSU
This team was gutted after recruiting violations were committed by the team. That hasn’t stopped Matt McMahon from trying to fill the Tigers with former players of his Murray State coaching days. The future is cloudy for the Tigers but there is enough talent on this roster to keep them in the middle of the SEC.
Mississippi State
This team is one piece away from heading to the NCAA tournament. They have always been close but haven’t seemed to find that final piece that can send them to the top. Maybe some of Chris Jans’ coaching success will carry over from New Mexico State to this struggling program.
Ole Miss
The Rebels were fortunate to keep two of their best young stars on the team after ending last season 13-19. There is a ton of backcourt talent on this team that can push them to being one of the best in the SEC.
Missouri
Cuonzo Martin was fired after going 12-21 last year but right when everything seemed gloom, in came Dennis Gates. Gates has been on a mission lately as he brought back his two best forwards from last season and an arsenal of rotational players that can give Missouri an edge over teams.
South Carolina
This roster looks very different from last year after ending the season on a positive 18-13 note. After a coaching change from Frank Martin to Lamont Paris and the loss of Erik Stevenson and Jermaine Couisnard to the transfer portal, this is a completely different Gamecock roster. The Gamecocks added depth from the transfer portal from the Big Ten, however this is not a team that is ready to compete for a while.
Tennessee
Santiago Vescovi is the most talented player in the SEC as of right now. This Tennessee team can go far with Vescovi and the new rotation and shape that this has built. Tennessee has struggled in the postseason in the past but that defense is one of the best in college basketball and may be enough to carry them into the tournament.
Texas A&M
The Aggies ended the season last year as one of the hottest teams in the SEC, winning 12 of 15 and upsetting three teams in the SEC tournament. Most of the talent came back to the team for the season as the hype began to build up to them being a squad that makes the tournament.
Vanderbilt
Jordan Wright will need to become an all-star player if this team wants to get back to where they were last year with Scotty Pippen Jr. who declared for the NBA draft. The Commodores will have a tough time in the SEC if this team cannot connect.
Micheal Bolger is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mpb6233@psu.edu.
