The SEC just dropped its 2026-27 preseason basketball poll, and while Florida is sitting pretty as the runaway favorite for both the conference and the national title, it’s the bottom of that list that really caught my eye. LSU, led by Will Wade, got slapped with a No. 14 ranking in the conference, and honestly, that’s wild to see. With the college basketball season kicking off in less than a month, this poll is already setting up some serious drama.
Florida’s Got the League on Lockdown (For Now)
Let’s be real, Florida is loaded. They’re the favorite to win the SEC, they’re pegged for the national title, and everyone expects them to grab the top spot in the AP Top 25 poll next week. How’d they pull that off? They brought back four starters, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Boogie Fland, and Alex Condon, from a team that snagged a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. That’s insane retention. Seriously, who does that these days?
But hey, other teams are trying to make some noise too. Texas landed at No. 2 in the preseason poll. They hit the Sweet 16 in Sean Miller’s first season, and they’re expected to crack the AP top 10. Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama rounded out the top five, making for a pretty stacked top tier in the conference. The Gators might be the overwhelming favorite, but it looks like there’s gonna be some serious battles at the top.
The SEC’s Big Surprises: LSU’s Struggle and Alabama’s Overrated Status
Now, let’s talk about the real shockers here. LSU at No. 14? That’s a huge drop for a program under Will Wade. The Tigers apparently have a bunch of question marks around their roster, with a handful of players stuck in eligibility limbo. Yikes. That’s gotta be a tough start for any coach.
And then there’s Alabama. They got picked fifth in the poll, but our CBS Sports expert actually thinks they’re overrated. Seriously. He ranked them lower, even behind teams like Missouri and Kentucky. Why? He thinks those teams have more talent and better fits. Now, we know Alabama’s offense can be elite; their first scrimmage saw Brandon Garrison getting high praise from coach Nate Oats. But if Alabama wants to hit or exceed that No. 5 projection, Amari Allen needs to have a serious season. Otherwise, the Crimson Tide might be looking up at a few more teams than they expected.
The full SEC media poll went like this: 1. Florida, 2. Texas, 3. Arkansas, 4. Tennessee, 5. Alabama, 6. Vanderbilt, 7. Kentucky, 8. Missouri, 9. Texas A&M, 10. Auburn, 11. Georgia, 12. Oklahoma, 13. Ole Miss, 14. LSU, 15. Mississippi State, 16. South Carolina.
The season kicks off in less than a month, and the AP Top 25 poll is coming out next week. You know I’ll be glued to that, and watching every single game when these teams hit the court. Can Florida really live up to the hype, or will a team like LSU defy the odds and prove everyone wrong? We’re gonna find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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