Florida, fresh off a national title, is projected to win the SEC basketball regular season by USA TODAY Sports Network experts, narrowly edging out a revamped Kentucky squad led by Preseason Player of the Year Otega Oweh and Coach of the Year Mark Pope, setting the stage for an electrifying season with significant coaching changes and rising stars across the league.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is once again poised to deliver one of college basketball’s most compelling seasons. With preseason polls igniting debates across fan communities, the stage is set for a thrilling 2025-26 campaign. Experts from the USA TODAY Sports Network have cast their votes, and the consensus points to a tightly contested race at the top, featuring reigning champions Florida and a re-energized Kentucky squad.
The Gators’ Enduring Dynasty: Picking Up Where They Left Off
Coming off their first national title since 2007, the Florida Gators have secured the coveted preseason favorite spot in the SEC. Receiving eight first-place votes, the experts believe Florida possesses the depth and talent to carry last season’s championship momentum into a new year. Their sustained success is a testament to their established system and key returning players.
Florida’s dominance is further highlighted by freshman forward Alex Condon, who earned a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-SEC First Team. His continued development alongside other returning talent, including Boogie Fland and Thomas Haugh on the Second Team, provides a robust foundation for another deep run, not just in the SEC but potentially for another national title. The team’s ability to maintain its competitive edge after such a monumental achievement will be a key storyline for fans to follow.
Kentucky’s Resurgence Under Pope: A New Era Dawns
Hot on Florida’s heels are the Kentucky Wildcats, who garnered four first-place votes and are picked to finish second. The Wildcats are embarking on an exciting new chapter under head coach Mark Pope, who was deservedly voted Preseason Coach of the Year. Pope steered Kentucky to a 24-12 record and a Sweet 16 appearance last season, and the fan base is eager to see his vision fully realized with more time at the helm. This recognition signals confidence in his ability to quickly re-establish Kentucky as a premier force.
Fueling Kentucky’s high expectations is senior guard Otega Oweh, who was a unanimous selection for the Preseason All-SEC First Team and crowned the Preseason Player of the Year. Oweh averaged an impressive 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in his debut season with the Wildcats, and his return signifies a serious ambition to lead Kentucky back to the Final Four. His leadership and scoring prowess will be critical for the Wildcats’ success.
Calipari’s New Challenge in Arkansas
A significant shift in the SEC landscape saw legendary coach John Calipari depart Kentucky for Arkansas. This move, a major talking point in the college basketball world, places the Razorbacks squarely in the spotlight. Despite the coaching transition, Arkansas is projected to finish fifth in the preseason poll, reflecting the immediate impact Calipari is expected to bring to Fayetteville, as widely reported by sports media outlets like ESPN. The “Calipari effect” will be a fascinating narrative to watch, as he molds a new roster in a familiar conference.
Auburn and the Steven Pearl Era
Rounding out the top six is Auburn, a team that made a remarkable run to the Final Four last season. This year marks the beginning of a new era for the Tigers, with Steven Pearl taking over as head coach after his father, Bruce Pearl, retired in September. This transition represents a blend of continuity and fresh perspective. The younger Pearl’s leadership will be crucial as Auburn looks to build on its recent success, a change that generated considerable discussion among fans and analysts alike, as highlighted by Yahoo Sports.
SEC Preseason Poll: The Full Ranking
The USA TODAY Sports Network‘s panel of 12 experts provided their predicted order of finish for the coming season. The full breakdown offers insights into the competitive balance of the league:
- Florida (8 first-place votes)
- Kentucky (4 first-place votes)
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Auburn
- Missouri
- Ole Miss
- Mississippi State
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Vanderbilt
- Georgia
- LSU
- South Carolina
Preseason All-SEC Teams and Individual Honors
Beyond the team standings, individual talents were recognized for their expected impact. These selections provide a glimpse into the league’s top players and their potential to shape the season.
First Team All-SEC
- G Otega Oweh, Kentucky (unanimous selection)
- G Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
- G Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
- F Nate Ament, Tennessee
- F Alex Condon, Florida (unanimous selection)
Second Team All-SEC
- G Labaron Philon, Alabama
- G Boogie Fland, Florida
- F Keyshawn Hall, Auburn
- F Malik Dia, Ole Miss
- F Thomas Haugh, Florida
The individual awards further underscore the talent spread across the conference:
- Preseason SEC Basketball Coach of the Year: Mark Pope, Kentucky (others receiving votes: Todd Golden, Florida; Steven Pearl, Auburn; Chris Beard, Ole Miss).
- Preseason SEC Basketball Player of the Year: Otega Oweh, Kentucky (others receiving votes: Alex Condon, Florida; Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn; Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State).
- Preseason SEC Basketball Newcomer of the Year: Nate Ament, Tennessee (others receiving votes: Keyshawn Hall, Auburn; Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas; Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee; Xaivian Lee, Florida; Jaland Lowe, Kentucky; Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M).
- Preseason SEC Basketball Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Robinson II, Missouri (others receiving votes: Felix Okpara, Tennessee; Alex Condon, Florida; Keyshawn Hall, Auburn).
Key Players to Watch Beyond the Top Honorees
While the SEC’s internal preseason awards highlight many stars, a broader look at college basketball’s top talent reveals even more SEC standouts. The 2024-25 CBS Sports Preseason All-America team, for instance, featured four players from the SEC, demonstrating the league’s deep pool of talent. Mark Sears of Alabama was a unanimous first-team selection and named CBS Sports Preseason Player of the Year, fresh off leading Alabama to its first-ever Final Four appearance. His decision to remain in college, a trend influenced by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, ensures the SEC retains some of its brightest stars.
Joining Sears on the CBS Sports All-America teams were Auburn’s Johni Broome (Second Team) and Arkansas’s Johnell Davis (Third Team). These selections underscore the caliber of players who will be gracing SEC courts this season, many of whom have leveraged the new era of college athletics to prolong their collegiate careers. This influx of experience, often from players in their fourth or fifth year, contributes to what many analysts are calling an “older” and more mature college basketball landscape, as noted by CBS Sports.
With Florida and Kentucky leading the charge, new coaching dynamics at Arkansas and Auburn, and a wealth of individual talent spread across the rosters, the 2025-26 SEC basketball season promises to be a memorable one for fans. The road to March Madness officially begins with these compelling preseason narratives.
