The 2026-27 college basketball season begins in less than a month, which means the preseason predictions, polls and praise begin to flow before the season begins next month. On Monday, the SEC released its preseason poll ahead of the conference’s media day this week, and unsurprisingly, Florida was picked to win the conference.
The Gators will be the favorite to win the SEC and national titles this season. Florida is expected to be ranked No. 1 when the preseason AP Top 25 poll is released next week. Florida had an incredible breakout season after returning four starters (Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Boogie Fland and Alex Condon) from a team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.
While Florida is the heavy favorite, other teams in the conference are expected to make noise. Among them is Texas, which was picked to finish No. 2 in the preseason SEC poll. The Longhorns reached the Sweet 16 in Sean Miller’s first season with the program and are expected to open the season ranked in the top 10 in the AP poll.
SEC expert picks: 2026-27 preview, projected standings, preseason predictions, top players to watch
David Cobb
Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama rounded out the top five. LSU, led by Will Wade, was picked to finish 14th in the SEC. There are question marks on the Tigers’ rostercompatibility is currently limited with a handful of players.
Here’s the full SEC media poll, followed by a breakdown of overrated and underrated teams and players.
SEC Preseason Media Poll
Overrated: Alabama
Projected finish: 5
In our preseason predictions on CBS Sports, I was the lowest in the Crimson Tide. Alabama was picked fourth in the SEC and eighth in our CBS projections. Here’s what we know about Alabama’s start to the season: The Crimson Tide will be elite on offense. That was on display during Brandon Garrison’s first scrimmage of the season at Alabama highly praised by coach Nate Oats.
Why am I down in Alabama? I just like the teams ranked slightly below them in the SEC better. I think they have more talented squads and suitable uniforms. I picked Missouri (more on that shortly) and Kentucky ahead of Alabama in the SEC preseason poll. Amari Allen will have to have a serious run in Year 2 for Alabama to finish at or above their preseason projection, which is very possible.
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje looks like Duke’s next star tight end, as LSU enters a new-look roster in its first CBB at-bats.
Cameron Salerno
Insufficient: Missouri
Projected finish: 8
Based on where Missouri was picked to finish, I’m guessing that Mark Mitchell’s eligibility — which remains a question mark heading into the season — is not a consideration. If Mitchell agrees to play this season, Missouri is a top five seed in the SEC.
Getting Mitchell back, plus adding five-star guard Jason Crowe Jr. — was the leading scorer in high school basketball – and the additions of Bryson Tiller and Jamier Jones make it the most overrated team in the conference. Still, I ranked Missouri higher than all of my peers (I picked them fifth). However, I’m factoring in and assuming Mitchell is cleared, which is a big part of the forecast.
Meet Jason Crowe Jr., the most prolific scorer in high school hoops who could change the fortunes of the state of Missouri.
Cameron Salerno
Overrated: Georgia
Projected finish: 11
Most of my predictions line up perfectly with what the SEC has revealed. However, one difference (two points) between my ballot and the actual poll was Georgia’s finish. The Bulldogs were ranked 13th in the SEC behind only Oklahoma, Mississippi State and South Carolina.
The Bulldogs were embarrassed by St. Louis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Even with the expansion of the tournament, I think Georgia will be one of the great teams from last season that missed out on the Big Dance altogether. as I wrote last month. The Bulldogs lost leading scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson to Arkansas and big man Somto Cyril to Miami, so Georgia will finish in double digits in the SEC finals.
Student: LSU
Projected finish: 14
Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to predicting which LSU players will suit up and which will be on the sidelines. However, the talent Wade has accumulated cannot be overlooked, even if there’s a chance more than half of the roster won’t play this season.
If you were to ask which team projected near the bottom of the SEC would surprise this season, the easy answer would be LSU’s favor. Key players who should be eligible are Skyy Clark, Donovan Dent and Saliou Niang. If RJ Luis Jr. if cleared — and at this point, it could be a long shot because of the SEC’s stance on letting former pros return to college — he’d be LSU’s best player. There are serious question marks about the roster, but LSU’s team is too talented to be ranked No. 14 in the SEC.
Preseason All-SEC Team
The SEC released its all-conference teams on Monday. Florida star Thomas Haugh was named SEC Preseason Player of the Year. Here is the full team.
First Team
Second Team
Third Team
Unrated: Jordan Smith Jr., Arkansas
Darius Acuff Jr. last season. produced one of the best single-and-done seasons by a guard in college basketball history, leaving as arguably one of the best freshmen at the position John Calipari has ever coached. This season, Calipari gets another freshman who should once again exceed his projection as a second-team All-SEC player.
The 6-foot-2 combo guard can get down low with ease and should be able to put up numbers. Smith should be the consensus favorite to win SEC Freshman of the Year.
Overrated: Malachi Moreno, Kentucky
It’s hard to single out any player on this list, but if I had to pick one, it would be Moreno because (outside of the lone freshman on this list) he’s the most inexperienced returner. Moreno has a very high ceiling and should improve in his second season playing in Mark Pope’s system.
However, if there was another player I would make the All-SEC third team, it would be Crowe, who could legitimately finish as one of the leading scorers in the SEC, especially if Mitchell is not allowed to play.