SEC Men’s Basketball Preview: Tennessee looms as Favorite
Although the SEC has a reputation as the best college football conference, its strength in men’s basketball is not to be forgotten either.
The SEC had eight teams earn bids to the NCAA Tournament last season, with Alabama earning a No. 1 seed before falling in the Sweet 16. Though NCAAB predictions don’t have the Crimson Tide projected as a basketball powerhouse this season, there’s still sure to be some parity in the SEC once again.
After finishing last season tied for fourth in the conference and 20th in the basketball polls, the Tennessee Volunteers are the early favorite to win the SEC this season with +300 NCAAB odds to win.
The Vols start the season in the top 10 of the first AP Poll after returning three of their four top scorers from a season ago. They are led by senior guard Santiago Vescovi, who averaged 12.5 points and 3.1 assists in 2022-23.
Tennessee also gets two other double-digit scorers back in Zakai Zeigler and Josiah-Jordan James, helping make the Volunteers one of the more experienced teams in the country. The Volunteers also led the SEC defensively last season, allowing 57.9 points a game, and with many of their top players back, they should be a top defense once again.
Of course, when talking about SEC basketball, the Kentucky Wildcats are a team that is not to be forgotten despite their recent struggles.
Head coach John Calipari may be feeling his seat get warm after failing to get the Wildcats back to the Final Four in the last eight seasons. Kentucky could challenge Tennessee for the SEC title, with the second-best college basketball odds (+450) to do so.
Though Kentucky is the antithesis to the experienced Tennessee as the youngest team in both the SEC and all of Division 1 with its collection of freshmen, the Wildcats will still look to a pair of veterans to lead them.
Antonio Reeves was second on the team last season, averaging 14.4 points on 39.8% shooting from beyond the arc. West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell will try to make an impact right away as well. Mitchell finished last season averaging 11.7 points on 47% shooting and 5.5 rebounds.
Reeves and Mitchell will be critical to the success of the Wildcats, but Kentucky’s freshmen class, highlighted by five-star recruits Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw and DJ Wagner, will have to develop and stay afloat amid the tough conference slate for Kentucky to be a threa.
If bettors are looking for more of a dark horse in the conference title race, look no further than Arkansas, which owns the fourth-best odds from the sportsbook to win the SEC.
Despite the Razorbacks losing all three of their top scorers in Ricky Council IV, Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr. to the NBA, it’s next man up as they brought back four of their next five top scorers.
Trevon Brazile is expected to be ready to go at the start of the season after suffering a torn ACL in December. He should lead the frontcourt after averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season.
The only other double-digit scorer back, Davonte Davis, should headline the backcourt after averaging 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Head coach Eric Musselman also made six additions through the portal with the nation’s sixth-best transfer class, headlined by Houston’s Tramon Mark, Washington’s Keyon Menifield and Louisville’s El Ellis. Together with Arkansas’ returnees, the Razorbacks should make some noise in the SEC and potentially the postseason once again.
The SEC should bring about another exciting college basketball season, and whether you believe Tennessee will win the title, Kentucky will return to its former glory or another team will find its way to the top, don’t forget to make your college basketball predictions online at the sportsbook before the season starts in a week.
Question Of The Day
What's a college basketball bet that could offer good value in the SEC?
Arkansas is ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25 poll and has +800 odds to win the SEC.
