Kentucky should once again dominate the SEC. However, this team is not as good as the Wildcats teams of past years. The eligibility of Randolph Morris could have a big impact on the Wildcats. The 6-11 potential star could be suspended for an undetermined amount of games for having SFX agency pay for his travel while he was mulling over the NBA Draft. If he returns, he will give the Wildcats a solid inside game. That is going to be necessary, considering the Wildcats already have one of the best perimeter groups in the country. Rajon Rondo is expected to have a breakout season at the point. He is an excellent defender, but needs to work on his shot. His passing and quickness allows him to be a very good penetrator and distributor. Patrick Sparks is a clutch shooter that is a good all-around player. When he's hot, he is one of the better long-range shooters around. His shooting selection sometimes leaves something to be desired, though. On the wing, Joe Crawford looks to start. He had some problems with Tubby Smith last season and attempted to leave the program. He came back, however, and showed flashes of his potential. Off the bench, Ramel Bradley provides good scoring and production in all aspects of the game. Ravi Moss is a good long-range shooter. Replacing the heart and soul of Kentucky's team for the past few years, Chuck Hayes, will be JC transfer Rekalin Sims. The combo forward can shoot the ball, and can also get some buckets down low. Freshman Jared Carter has shown some promise in practice. Returning seven-footers Shagari Alleyne and Lukasz Obrzut will man the center spot until Morris returns, while Sheray Thomas and Bobby Perry are versatile forwards that saw decent minutes a season ago. The Wildcats are deep and talented.

The Vanderbilt Commodores had a quiet 20-win season a year ago, and look to build on that this season. Mario Moore is streaky, but when he is on, he can carry Vandy. His suspension for the first three games of the season will hinder their development as a team, though. Shan Foster and Virginia transfer Derrick Byars will comprise possibly the best offensive wing combo in the league. Foster looks to be ready for a breakout season, while Byars is very athletic and is a good three-point shooter. Alex Gordon provides scoring and solid point guard play off the bench in what is a very deep and talented backcourt. Wing Dan Cage is another shooter that the Commodores can use. Up front, Julian Terrell leads the way. He needs to continue the way he played down the stretch. Center Ted Skuchas doesn't have very impressive numbers, but he can provide solid defense and rebounding down low. If the frontcourt produces every night, and develops another scoring option in the post, the Commodores will get to the NCAA Tournament.

The Florida Gators are going to have to go through a makeover if they are to repeat their Top-4 seed of last season. They lose key veterans Matt Walsh, Anthony Roberson, and David Lee, who have contributed consistently the past few seasons. Two starters return in forwards Corey Brewer and Al Horford, both potential all-conference players. Brewer is an excellent defender and a 44 percent shooter from long-range. He is also solid at cutting to the basket for buckets. Horford is a good shot blocker and an excellent rebounder. If he can improve his scoring, he is going to be one of the better inside players in the SEC. The third frontcourt position will be filled by either Adrian Moss, Joakim Noah, or Chris Richard. Moss is the lone senior on the Gators; he is a solid rebounder and post defender. Noah is expected to have a big season for Florida. He is a tough match-up for fellow big men because of his athleticism and perimeter abilities. Richard gives the Gators a big body down low. On the perimeter, Taurean Green should start at the point. As the backup to Roberson, he demonstrated that he will be a solid choice to run the team. He plays good defense, is a decent shooter, and can push the ball well. The other returnee in the backcourt is Lee Humphrey, a very good long-range shooter. Two freshman are expected to earn minutes on the perimeter. Walter Hodge is a point guard that can also score in a variety of ways, while Derwin Kitchen is an athletic wing that needs to become eligible in order to play. If the role players from a season develop into go-to-players, the Gators could make some noise nationally.

The Postseason NIT champs, the South Carolina Gamecocks, would much rather see their name in an NCAA bracket this season. With the team they have, that is very possible. Although no double figure scorers return for the Gamecocks, several productive role players are back. Tarence Kinsey hit the game winner at the buzzer in the NIT title game, and is the best shooter on the team. He could end up being the leading scorer. Tre' Kelley and Rocky Trice also return in the backcourt. Kelley is a solid playmaker at the point who can play decent defense. Trice was a part-time starter last season, and is an athletic player that can do a multitude of things from the wing. Dwayne Day provides depth on the perimeter. In the frontcourt, they need to replace do-everything forward Carlos Powell. Antoine Tisby, Brandon Wallace, and Renaldo Balkman are all solid players up front, but none stand out. Tisby is a good but inconsistent inside scorer. Wallace is a lanky athlete that is a very good defender, both in terms of steals and blocks. Balkman is another skinny athlete and is a solid shot blocker. If any of the former role players develop into a go-to-guy, the Gamecocks won't have a chance to defend their NIT Title.

The Tennessee Volunteers looked like they had some potential a season ago, but that turned into a 14-17 season that ended in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. They do return several solid contributors from a year ago, though, including two potential all-league players on the perimeter. C.J Watson is one of the better point guards in the conference. He is an excellent defender that ranks near the top of the league in steals, and is also a very good distributor and playmaker. Kenny Lofton is one of the best long-range shooters in the country at nearly 47 percent from behind the arc. He also is a decent defender. If he improves his ability to drive to the basket, he can be a poor man's JJ Redick. The perimeter also returns 6-3 Dane Bradshaw, who provides a little of everything. Up front, Andre Patterson and Stanley Asumnu return at forward. Patterson is a good scorer, putting up points off rebounds and mid-range buckets. Asumnu is quick and athletic who will develop into a good defender and scorer. Major Wingate will man the low post. He could double his modest numbers of last season (5 ppg, 3 rpg) this year. Freshman Ryan Childress will see minutes down low. If Watson and Lofton put up big numbers in the backcourt, and a go-to-guy emerges down low, the Volunteers will win some games.

The Georgia Bulldogs had an expected rebuilding season a year ago, going 8-20 and winning only 2 games in the SEC. They return all five starters from that team, and bring in one of the best point guard recruits in the country. The backcourt is loaded. Levi Stukes is one of the best guards in the league, and will be an all-conference player. He is very tough to defend on offense. Sundiata Gaines played out of position at the point a season ago. He is a double-figure scorer who is also a surprisingly good rebounder and a decent passer. Channing Toney started last season, but could come off the bench this year. He is a near double-figure scorer that is a very good shooter. The reason that he will likely be the sixth man is freshman Mike Mercer. Mercer is a very good playmaker who can score and distribute once he gets in the lane. His athleticism and leaping ability enable him to be a good finisher. Sophomore Kevin Brophy will provide solid depth on the perimeter. Inside, returning starters Steve Newman and Dave Bliss are back. Newman is a good post player that provides solid rebounding and defense. Bliss could have a breakout season on the low block. Idrissi Younes returns to provide depth, while freshman Rashaad Singleton and Kendrick Johnson will see minutes in the post. The Bulldogs will be improved from last season, but will fall short of the postseason.