SEC OFFSEASON POWER RANKINGS
1
Wildcats
With Wenyen Gabriel -- who earned only spot minutes -- the only returning rotation player, here comes the top-rated Class of 2017: P.J. Washington, Kevin Knox, Jarred Vanderbilt, Quade Green and Nick Richards. They join Diallo. Those pieces figure to fit, with Green's play at the point the key. Kentucky will be crazy talented and fascinating. Biggest question is a familiar one: Will the Cats be effective from the 3-point line?
2
Gators
The Gators came within a few possessions of making it to the Final Four in Mike White's second season. Because Allen, Chiozza and John Egbunu return, Florida will compete with Kentucky.
3
Aggies
Few teams will match A&M's low-post duo of Robert Williams and Tyler Davis. On the wing, D.J. Hogg will try to make the leap and become a 3-point threat. The Aggies could be a second-weekend NCAA tourney threat.
4
Razorbacks
There is a significant dip to reach Arkansas. But this team almost beat Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, and -- with six seniors -- the Hogs are a safe bet to dance again.
5
Crimson Tide
Collin Sexton was a bolt-from-the-blue five-star point guard prospect. While entering college as a relative unknown nationally, Sexton could be among the country's more entertaining players and work himself into the first round of the NBA Draft.
6
Commodores
Vandy reached the NCAAs last season as a 9 seed. With much of the roster returning, the Commodores could better last season's 19 wins. Fisher-Davis figures to atone for his tournament mishap.
7
Tigers
Porter will get the attention, but Terrence Phillips' point-guard play will be pivotal if the Tigers are to become next season's UCLA. The Bruins more than doubled their win total -- going from 15 to 31 -- from 2015-16 to 2016-17. Mizzou has a shot to do something similar.
8
Bulldogs
With Maten (18.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), a top-50 lock for CBS Sports' annual list of the country's top 100 (and one) players, Georgia has a shot at reaching the NCAAs. Losing J.J. Frazier hurts, though.
9
Tigers
The Tigers could be a lot of fun, thanks to Mustapha Heron and Austin Wiley. Entering his fourth season year at Auburn without an NCAA appearance, Bruce Pearl could show some results.
10
Gamecocks
The Gamecocks return two of five starters (Chris Silva, Maik Kotsar) from that Final Four team. Hassani Gravett is a breakout candidate. Frank Martin's team is a long shot for an NCAA bid.
11
Bulldogs
Weatherspoon is underrated, largely because Mississippi State is still waiting to kick into gear under Ben Howland.
12
Rebels
Ole Miss has won at least 19 games every season since 2008-09 and has not had a losing season since 2005-06, but Andy Kennedy's group could lack the size and defense to finish much higher.
13
Volunteers
Rick Barnes' team is a mystery because it lacks a discernable leader. Sophomores Grant Williams and Lamonte Turner figure to be important.
14
Tigers
The Tigers landed promising freshman Tremont Waters, but this program needs two seasons to build itself into a top-half team.
1
Wildcats
With Wenyen Gabriel -- who earned only spot minutes -- the only returning rotation player, here comes the top-rated Class of 2017: P.J. Washington, Kevin Knox, Jarred Vanderbilt, Quade Green and Nick Richards. They join Diallo. Those pieces figure to fit, with Green's play at the point the key. Kentucky will be crazy talented and fascinating. Biggest question is a familiar one: Will the Cats be effective from the 3-point line?
2
Gators
The Gators came within a few possessions of making it to the Final Four in Mike White's second season. Because Allen, Chiozza and John Egbunu return, Florida will compete with Kentucky.
3
Aggies
Few teams will match A&M's low-post duo of Robert Williams and Tyler Davis. On the wing, D.J. Hogg will try to make the leap and become a 3-point threat. The Aggies could be a second-weekend NCAA tourney threat.
4
Razorbacks
There is a significant dip to reach Arkansas. But this team almost beat Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, and -- with six seniors -- the Hogs are a safe bet to dance again.
5
Crimson Tide
Collin Sexton was a bolt-from-the-blue five-star point guard prospect. While entering college as a relative unknown nationally, Sexton could be among the country's more entertaining players and work himself into the first round of the NBA Draft.
6
Commodores
Vandy reached the NCAAs last season as a 9 seed. With much of the roster returning, the Commodores could better last season's 19 wins. Fisher-Davis figures to atone for his tournament mishap.
7
Tigers
Porter will get the attention, but Terrence Phillips' point-guard play will be pivotal if the Tigers are to become next season's UCLA. The Bruins more than doubled their win total -- going from 15 to 31 -- from 2015-16 to 2016-17. Mizzou has a shot to do something similar.
8
Bulldogs
With Maten (18.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), a top-50 lock for CBS Sports' annual list of the country's top 100 (and one) players, Georgia has a shot at reaching the NCAAs. Losing J.J. Frazier hurts, though.
9
Tigers
The Tigers could be a lot of fun, thanks to Mustapha Heron and Austin Wiley. Entering his fourth season year at Auburn without an NCAA appearance, Bruce Pearl could show some results.
10
Gamecocks
The Gamecocks return two of five starters (Chris Silva, Maik Kotsar) from that Final Four team. Hassani Gravett is a breakout candidate. Frank Martin's team is a long shot for an NCAA bid.
11
Bulldogs
Weatherspoon is underrated, largely because Mississippi State is still waiting to kick into gear under Ben Howland.
12
Rebels
Ole Miss has won at least 19 games every season since 2008-09 and has not had a losing season since 2005-06, but Andy Kennedy's group could lack the size and defense to finish much higher.
13
Volunteers
Rick Barnes' team is a mystery because it lacks a discernable leader. Sophomores Grant Williams and Lamonte Turner figure to be important.
14
Tigers
The Tigers landed promising freshman Tremont Waters, but this program needs two seasons to build itself into a top-half team.
