The SEC released the media picks for the projected order of finish and the preseason All-Conference teams on Monday. As has often been the case under Nate Oats, the media expects the Crimson Tide among the top contenders for the league title.
Alabama is projected to finish 4th in the league, according to the release by the league office. Defending National Champion Florida is the preseason favorite, followed by Kentucky at No. 2 and Tennessee at No. 3. Alabama is just ahead of Arkansas and Auburn. The full projected order of finish is below:
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Auburn
- Missouri
- Ole Miss
- Texas
- Mississippi State
- Vanderbilt
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Georgia
- LSU
- South Carolina
The SEC is expected to once again be super competitive and arguably the top league in college basketball. 14 of the league's 16 teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season, with LSU and South Carolina the only two missing out.
Alabama advanced to the Elite Eight, the second consecutive year they had at least made it that far, and the third straight season they had made the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Alabama is the only program in the country that has made the Sweet 16 or further in three consecutive seasons.
Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway represent Alabama on preseason All-SEC teams
The return of Labaron Philon was a huge deal for Oats and the Crimson Tide. After initially declaring for the NBA Draft - and then reaffirming he was not returning to Tuscaloosa - Philon made a stunning last-minute reversal to return to Alabama for his sophomore season. He's expected to be one of the top players in college basketball this season, and he was picked on the preseason All-SEC first team.
Backcourt mate Aden Holloway, who will likely reprise his role as the team's sixth man this year, was selected on the All-SEC third team. Holloway is one of the top shooters in the country and is a big part of the reason Oats believes this could be the best three-point shooting team he's had in Tuscaloosa.
The All-SEC Teams:
1st:
- Alex Condon - Florida
- Josh Hubbard - Mississippi State
- Otega Oweh - Kentucky
- Tahaad Pettiford - Auburn
- Labaron Philon - Alabama
2nd:
- Nate Ament - Tennessee
- Boogie Fland - Florida
- Ja'Kobi Gillespie - Tennessee
- Thomas Haugh - Florida
- Mark Mitchell - Missouri
3rd:
- Mark Dia - Ole Miss
- Aden Holloway - Alabama
- Karker Knox - Arkansas
- Jaland Lowe - Kentucky
- D.J. Wagner - Arkansas