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SEC Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Power Rankings

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SEC Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Power Rankings

Last season, the Kentucky Wildcats were the top team in the SEC, and every other team was fighting for second place. Heading into 2015-16, however, Kentucky takes a slight step backwards and several teams in the conference take a major step forward, making the SEC one of the most competitive conferences in all of college basketball.

Here are the 2015-16 preseason power rankings for the SEC.

14. Missouri Tigers

14. Missouri Tigers

Missouri loses their best player from a season ago and will likely struggle to win games once conference play begins. The Tigers are headed up, but the SEC continues to get much better year after year.

13. South Carolina Gamecocks

13. South Carolina Gamecocks

Frank Martin has done a great job with recruiting at South Carolina, but the Gamecocks just haven’t taken the necessary step to become legitimate competitors in the SEC. Remember, this team lost a number of games by two or less possessions last season. If they can get over the hump, watch out.

12. Alabama Crimson Tide

12. Alabama Crimson Tide

A new coach with high expectations, Avery Johnson inherits a team with many solid players, but no stars. Johnson has already started recruiting strongly, so this should be a down year for Alabama en route to a bright future.

11. Tennessee Volunteers

11. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee lacks the talent necessary to do too much damage in conference play, but Armani Moore and Kevin Punter are two absolutely fantastic basketball players. If the Vols can find a solid post presence, expect Tennessee to overachieve in this transition season between Donnie Tyndall and Rick Barnes.

10. Arkansas Razorbacks

10. Arkansas Razorbacks

Bobby Portis and Rashad Madden are gone, meaning the bulk of their star power from 2014-15 is gone. However, Mike Anderson continues to recruit well. Unfortunately, Arkansas could easily turn into one of the bottom SEC teams if they don’t keep up momentum.

9. Mississippi State Bulldogs

9. Mississippi State Bulldogs

My personal favorite for surprise 2016 NCAA tournament berth, Mississippi State brings in a Final Four coach in Ben Howland and the 2015 No. 1 SG in the country in Malik Newman. The majority of this roster was four-star recruits coming out of high school, so Howland could have this team rolling early.

8. Georgia Bulldogs

8. Georgia Bulldogs

The hardest working man in college basketball, Nemanja Djurisic, is gone, but Kenny Gaines and Charles Mann are still there and hungrier than ever to prove themselves. Throw in rising Junior J.J. Frazier and the Bulldogs are dangerous.

7. Ole Miss Rebels

7. Ole Miss Rebels

Two words: Stefan Moody.

There is not a more clutch player in the SEC and possibly the country. I’m not counting this team out until they start losing games.

6. Auburn Tigers

6. Auburn Tigers

Bruce Pearl’s team is finally Bruce Pearl’s team. Most of the key players were recruited by Pearl and should be ready to have success.

5. Florida Gators

5. Florida Gators

Never, ever, sleep on the Florida Gators. This team is absolutely loaded, and Michael White could quietly have a Sweet 16 ready team.

4. Vanderbilt Commodores

4. Vanderbilt Commodores

Probably the toughest decision of the power rankings, Vanderbilt has the most experienced and deepest roster in the SEC. The Commodores could be the second-best team in the SEC, but I’m from Nashville and Kevin Stallings and Co. need to prove they can meet expectations before I buy in completely.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

3. Texas A&M Aggies

Talent, experience and depth highlight the Aggies’ roster. Remember, Texas A&M should have made the NCAA tournament last season but floundered late. Oh, and don’t forget about their point guard, Alex Caruso, who might be top 10 in college basketball.

2. LSU Tigers

2. LSU Tigers

No Jordan Mickey or Jarell Martin, no problem. This team just brings in two five-star freshmen, as well as Keith Hornsby and Tim Quarterman.

1. Kentucky Wildcats

1. Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats are the preseason favorite out of the SEC heading into 2015-16; there is no doubt about that. However, this team is not near as talented as the 2014-15 Wildcats and the SEC is much better than last season. This isn’t the type of season where the conference is “Kentucky and everyone else.”

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Taylor Sturm is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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