Five SEC Basketball Teams Included In ESPN's Way-Too-Early Rankings For 2022-23

Five teams from the SEC were included in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 college basketball rankings for 2022-23, with the Arkansas Razorbacks sitting at the top.

No. 1: Arkansas
No. 7: Kentucky
No. 14: Tennessee
No. 15: Alabama
No. 16: Auburn

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1. Arkansas Razorbacks
There's not a clear No. 1 entering the offseason, but five-star guard Anthony Black's commitment to Arkansas in late March gives the Razorbacks the edge. Eric Musselman, who has established himself as one of the best transfer recruiters and coaches in the country, is bringing the nation's second-best high school recruiting class to a program coming off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. Nick Smith is in contention to be the No. 1 pick in 2023, while Jordan Walsh and Black are also five-star prospects who could start right away. There are some roster questions, mainly focused on Jaylin Williams and Au'Diese Toney, but if one of the two returns, I think this is the best team in the country.

Projected starting lineup:
Nick Smith (No. 6 in ESPN 100)
Devo Davis (8.3 PPG)
Anthony Black (No. 20 in ESPN 100)
Jordan Walsh (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
Au'Diese Toney (10.5 PPG)

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Full Rankings:
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
2. Houston Cougars
3. UCLA Bruins
4. Kansas Jayhawks
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
6. Duke Blue Devils
7. Kentucky Wildcats
8. Baylor Bears
9. Creighton Bluejays
10. Arizona Wildcats
11. Michigan Wolverines
12. Gonzaga Bulldogs
13. Villanova Wildcats
14. Tennessee Volunteers
15. Alabama Crimson Tide
16. Auburn Tigers
17. Illinois Fighting Illini
18. Dayton Flyers
19. Oregon Ducks
20. Xavier Musketeers
21. Indiana Hoosiers
22. Texas Longhorns
23. Purdue Boilermakers
24. Texas Tech Red Raiders
25. Saint Louis Billikens