Way-too-early SEC basketball power rankings for 2026-27 season

The anticipation is already starting to build surrounding the 2026-27 college basketball season.

Once again, the SEC appears on their way to be one of college basketball's premier conferences in 2026-27, with a few teams in particular looking like potential national championships contenders. Many of these made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament this past season, with some of those same teams reaching at-least the Sweet 16.

Looking ahead to next season, each of the SEC's 16 teams are likely set to undergo a significant amount of roster change in the coming days and weeks, whether that be from the NCAA transfer portal or the upcoming 2026 NBA draft.

As a result, it might be difficult to judge just what each team's roster might end up looking like, but based on what each team has at the moment, why not take a look ahead and offer some early power rankings for the SEC overall?

Following are the way-too-early 2026-27 SEC basketball power rankings.

16. South Carolina Gamecocks

Feb 28, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris reacts on the sideline during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

South Carolina (13-19 overall, 4-14 SEC) recorded their second consecutive losing season this past year, missing the NCAA Tournament. As a result, the Gamecocks need a bounce back 2026-27 season with head coach Lamont Paris likely entering the year on the hot seat.

15. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Feb 7, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Jans reacts during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Mississippi State (13-19, 5-13) missed the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time under head coach Chris Jans, while the Bulldogs' losing record was also their first since the 2015-16 campaign. The Bulldogs now enter an important offseason for the program, one which certainly needs a bounce back 2026-27 campaign.

14. Ole Miss Rebels

Mississippi coach Chris Beard watches his team face Alabama during the second half of a SEC tournament quarterfinal game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 13, 2026.

Ole Miss (15-20, 4-14) took a big step back during the 2025-26 campaign by missing the NCAA Tournament in what was the first losing season of the Chris Beard era. The Rebels will likely see roster turnover this offseason, and will look to bounce back in 2026-27.

13. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser during the second half of a Bedlam men's college basketball game between the OSU Cowboys and OU Sooners at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Oklahoma (21-16, 7-11) recorded their highest win total in a season since the 2015-16 campaign, but was one where the Sooners missed the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners will look to make their second NCAA Tournament under head coach Porter Moser in 2026-27.

12. LSU Tigers

Dec 22, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade looks on against Lipscomb Bisons during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

LSU (15-17, 3-15) begins a new era in 2026-27, as former head coach Will Wade returns to Baton Rouge to takeover in place of Matt McMahon. The Tigers will likely see a significant amount of roster change, but even despite that, a potential NCAA Tournament appearance in year one under Wade would not surprise, as he previously led LSU to the big dance in three of his five seasons in Baton Rouge before.

11. Auburn Tigers

Mar 7, 2026; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Steven Pearl cheer on his players during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Auburn (22-16, 7-11) missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 during year one of the Steven Pearl era, but still made a postseason run that resulted in winning the NIT. The Tigers will hope to return to the big dance next season with a roster headlined by returning guard Kevin Overton.

10. Georgia Bulldogs

Feb 17, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mike White watches the action during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Georgia (22-11, 10-8) you could certainly say took a small step forward in year two of the Mike White era by making a NCAA Tournament appearance for the second-straight season, falling in the first round. The Bulldogs will look to make yet another jump after posting that 22-win total, their highest in a season since 2001-02.

9. Texas A&M Aggies

Mar 21, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Houston Cougars in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Texas A&M (22-12, 11-7) made the NCAA Tournament during year one of the Bucky McMillan era, with the Aggies reaching the second round for the third consecutive season. The Aggies will likely continue to improve in year two under McMillan, and could be a potential sleeper SEC team to watch in 2026-27.

8. Missouri Tigers

Jan 24, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Missouri (20-13, 10-8) make a NCAA Tournament appearance for the second consecutive season this past year, but were eliminated in the first round. The Tigers and head coach Dennis Gates will likely be expected to go dancing yet again this upcoming season, as the roster will be headlined by one of the SEC's top recruiting classes featuring the duo of Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant.

7. Texas Longhorns

Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller walks off the court after losing to the Purdue Boilermakers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Texas (21-15, 9-9) reached the NCAA Tournament for the sixth-straight season during year one under Sean Miller, a postseason run which saw the Longhorns reach the Sweet 16. There is a chance for the Longhorns to take an even bigger step forward in 2026-27, with a talented recruiting class headlined by Austin Goosby a reason as to why.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington works the sideline against Tennessee during their quarterfinal game of the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 13, 2026.

Vanderbilt (27-9, 11-7) took an even larger step ahead during year two under head coach Mark Byington, advancing to the NCAA Tournament second round. The Commodores appear to have cemented themselves as one of the best teams in the SEC under Byington, and will be expected to make a third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance next season.

5. Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky coach Mark Pope works the sideline against Florida during their quarterfinal game of the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 13, 2026.

Kentucky (22-14, 10-8) one could argue took a small step back this past season in year two of the Mark Pope era, a campaign which resulted in a NCAA Tournament second round appearance. The Wildcats will likely add a number of players in the transfer portal this offseason, and should be among the SEC's most talented in 2026-27.

4. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes during a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between Tennessee and Iowa State at the United Center in Chicago on March 27, 2026.

Tennessee (25-12, 11-7) made a NCAA Tournament appearance for the sixth consecutive season this past year, with the Volunteers reaching the Elite Eight for the third time in the last three years. Rick Barnes' Volunteers will yet again be predicted to make the NCAA Tournament next season headlined by impact newcomers such as Tyler Lundblade.

3. Arkansas Razorbacks

Feb 28, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari coaches against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images

Arkansas (28-9, 13-5) took a step forward during year two under head coach John Calipari, making an appearance in the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive season. The Razorbacks should be among the SEC's top teams yet again next season, in part due to a loaded incoming recruiting class headlined by elite guard Jordan Smith Jr..

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats reacts in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Alabama (25-10, 13-5) made a sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this past season under head coach Nate Oats, reaching the Sweet 16 for a fourth-straight year. The Crimson Tide will likely make yet another trip to the big dance next season, with Alabama's roster set to be headlined by a recruiting class which features the likes of Qayden Samuels and Jaxon Richardson.

1. Florida Gators

Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden looks on against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida (27-8, 16-2) dominated during conference play to win the SEC's regular season title, but saw a disappointing end to their campaign when the Gators were upset in NCAA Tournament second round as a No. 1 seed. Todd Golden and the Gators will likely be back among the SEC's elite in 2026-27, with returning guard Boogie Fland among those headlining the roster.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Florida, Alabama headline early 2026-27 SEC basketball power rankings