Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide’s five toughest SEC opponents
By Ronald Evans
Auburn Tigers (13-14 last season)
Auburn banned itself from any post-season play last season, attempting to reduce future NCAA penalties. Given how bad the Tigers were, it was not stiff punishment.
For Bruce Pearl, avoiding another serious NCAA penalty (it would be his third) will loom over the season. The Tigers will be improved. Pearl lost Sharife Cooper and J.T. Thor to the NBA. Justin Powell transferred to Tennessee. He has a returning starter in the talented Allen Flanigan. 7’1″ North Carolina transfer, Walker Kessler should start at center.
More important for the Tigers is 5-Star recruit Jabari Smith Jr. Smith is a 6’10” power forward that has the potential to be a one-and-done player. If he is the real deal, Auburn will be much improved over last season.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (18-15 last season)
It has been a long while since the Bulldogs have been an SEC contender. Not since the shady Rick Stansbury left after the 2012 season have the Bulldogs been a threat to the SEC’s top teams. Legitimately good guy, Rick Ray, was a three-season flop. In the six Ben Howland seasons so far, the Bulldogs have won 20 or more games three times. Just ‘okay’ success was not what was expected from the coach with two Final Fours in his resume.
The prospects for 2021-22 are brighter. Seven of last season’s players are gone, replaced by seven new players. Collectively the new group should be an upgrade. The best of the new guys are expected to be transfers; Rocket Watts from Michigan State, 6’7″ D.J. Jeffries from Memphis and 6’9″ post player, Garrison Brooks from North Carolina. Returning players Iverson Molinar and Tolu Smith will lead the Bulldogs.
Combine the returning players with the new incoming talent – and a belief Ben Howland can still coach today’s game – and the Bulldogs might be a tough out in Starkville.
Next. Tide's '22 class could be best ever. dark
What about other SEC teams in the ’22 season? Both LSU and Florida could have made this ‘toughest’ list, in place of Mississippi State and Auburn. The league’s most improved team will likely be Texas A&M.