Top 3 SEC teams that could contend for NCAA tournament title in 2024-25 college basketball season
The SEC conference has transitioned into one of the best in the offseason. It welcomes two new teams (Oklahoma and Texas) and witnesses huge coaching changes like John Calipari joining the Razorbacks and Mark Pope completing his first-year Wildcats roster behind transfer portal veterans.
With plenty of teams having the potential to mark a deep season in the 2024-25 season, let's look at the possible teams that could contend for the NCAA title out of the SEC.
SEC teams that could contend for NCAA title in 2024-25 season
#3 Alabama Crimson Tide - Nate Oats
Alabama is coming off its first Final Four appearance and has its work cut out for Nate Oats. The only way they can mount a successful season is by going to the grand stage in the 2025 March Madness.
Their best player Mark Sears returns after exploring the NBA waters while extensive production stays through Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Grant Nelson and others. Moreover, given that five of its players are at the graduate level, it will be their last chance to contend before the program strikes a rebuild.
#2 Auburn Tigers - Bruce Pearl
They won last season’s SEC Tournament and have maintained an upward climb despite the departure of five players this offseason.
They added Tahaad Pettiford as their highest-ranked incoming freshman and JP Pegues as their best player from the portal earlier. Moreover, their best player and first-team All-SEC, Johni Broome, also returns for a final year.
Furthermore, with the addition of Miles Kelly and the return of Denver Jones and Chad Baker-Mazara on their perimeter, the program once again positions itself to be a potential team to contend in the 2024-25 season.
#1 Arkansas Razorbacks - John Calipari
As Eric Musselman departs for USC, the Razorbacks hired another top coach in the college circuit, John Calipari.
While the role of leading a team in one of the most loaded conferences is tough, Arkansas is coming off its worst season since 2010. Hence, Calipari will have enough leeway if the team struggles at the start to find its footing.
Nevertheless, John Calipari is still in charge of one of the most talented teams in the conference. The program landed the AAC Player of the Year and All-SEC big man in the portal Johnell Davis (FAU) and Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee), as players like D.J. Wagner, Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero followed Calipari from Kentucky.