Really Good SEC Basketball Preview by 247

[TheMookieMonster]

I saw Will Warren post about this write-up and it's quite good. It's a free read, too. The results were determined by 13 SEC beat writers and 2 national writers. 14/15 writers picked TN to finish 1st. Give it a read when you have time. It's worth it.

2023-24 SEC basketball preview: Player of the Year predictions, favorite transfers and more

A comprehensive look inside SEC basketball ahead of the 2023-24 season.

247sports.com

 

[cncchris33]

I'm not sure what I'm more shocked about, that Tennessee got 14 1st place votes, or that Bama got the other one. I feel like they may really take a step backwards, this year. I'd take Arkansas or Kentucky over them, and probably Texas A&M.

 

[boomvol]

Really good read. Thinking about our depth at guard is really excited, and I hope we play a lot of small ball with JJJ at the 4 with his defensive versatility. I also love the combos that we can make with our starting 5. Guys like Awaka, Knecht, and Mashack are all guys that will float in and out of our starting lineup depending on what matchups we want to exploit. That's a luxury that very few teams have.

 

[LeannaVol]

Kentucky is interesting with their amount of talent. Even more than most years. I don’t have the confidence Calipari can bring it all together but they will be fun to play and beat with our experience. GBO

 

[Vol49er]

Great read. Agreed with everything in Tennessee’s blurb, but I think Dillione has more of an impact than 247 is expecting this year

 

[Col_Cathcart]

I'm not sure what I'm more shocked about, that Tennessee got 14 1st place votes, or that Bama got the other one. I feel like they may really take a step backwards, this year. I'd take Arkansas or Kentucky over them, and probably Texas A&M.

The one who ranked Bama first also ranked us 4th, so probably just a Bama homer.

 

[headhunter15]

Exciting read! I’d love a playoff appearance in football and a Final Four for basketball in my lifetime.

 

[cncchris33]

The one who ranked Bama first also ranked us 4th, so probably just a Bama homer.

I noticed that. Not sure how there is almost universal agreement on us as #1, and then one who doesn't have us there has us 4th. That one must really not be a believer.

 

[Stoked]

We have to be at peak level with the amount of quality coaches the SEC has.

Also how many of the other other 13 teams would Jahmai Mashack start on? He could very well be DPOY and 6th man of the year!

 

[Volfan1000]

The Southeastern 14 also has a pre season SEC basketball podcast up on their You Tube page.

 

[vol94]

Exciting read! I’d love a playoff appearance in football and a Final Four for basketball in my lifetime.

Yeah two things on my bucket list. I’m 52 and I took the 98 football season for granted as I thought there would be more to come. Regardless of costs, I will pay the premium for a TN playoff ticket and/or final four ticket.

 

[The Dog]

Yeah two things on my bucket list. I’m 52 and I took the 98 football season for granted as I thought there would be more to come. Regardless of costs, I will pay the premium for a TN playoff ticket and/or final four ticket.

Despite whatever you have to pay, I'm down to go with you, in case you need a friend. I'll bring party favors, also

 

[vavolfan6]

Haven't really had time to see changes and additions the other teams in the conference made. But I was really impressed with the coaching job of both Texas A&M and Mizzou last year. I wouldn't be surprised if either finds a way to compete for the conference title.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Haven't really had time to see changes and additions the other teams in the conference made. But I was really impressed with the coaching job of both Texas A&M and Mizzou last year. I wouldn't be surprised if either finds a way to compete for the conference title.

I do think Mizzou being picked by voters to finish 9th is interesting. I think they are undervalued. I think 6th would be more appropriate.

 

[knoxvol52]

I do think Mizzou being picked by voters to finish 9th is interesting. I think they are undervalued. I think 6th would be more appropriate.

Lost quite a few players..but gained Cale Love I think..so yea middle of the pack would be a good spot to predicting their finish...

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Lost quite a few players..but gained Cale Love I think..so yea middle of the pack would be a good spot to predicting their finish...

I just think Gates last year demonstrated that he is a very good coach who is great at getting more from less (outside of Kobe Brown who is a clear star). I don’t expect him in Year 2 to end up regressing much.

I will say that the one argument for why Mizzou is appropriately ranked at 9 is last year I remember them winning a lot of close games. I mean they hit a half court shot to beat us. I wouldn’t be shocked if those close games broke the opposite way this year due to the law of averages and what was 4th last year turns to 9th this year just because of some bad breaks.

 

[zooguy]

A&M returns 88% of their production, and they finished 2nd last year. I’d expect them to be up there at 1 or 2.

 

[CAVPUT]

Yeah two things on my bucket list. I’m 52 and I took the 98 football season for granted as I thought there would be more to come. Regardless of costs, I will pay the premium for a TN playoff ticket and/or final four ticket.

I embraced '98. Figured if I had to wait 50 years between natty's, it would be my one and only. I've experienced 2 CWS so it's up to hoops to complete the trifecta. All I can say is that at my age, they'd better get there sooner than later.