Not quite elite. Not quite underdogs.
These SEC basketball teams sit firmly in the Contenders Tier for 2025—programs with the talent to win big, but just enough questions to keep them out of the top spot. With one or two players breaking out, these squads could reach Atlanta—and beyond.
Tennessee Volunteers
Rick Barnes' squad loses superstar Chaz Lanier and veteran leader Zakai Zeigler, but don’t expect a massive fall-off. Felix Okpara returns as one of the league’s best rim protectors per EvanMiya, and incoming freshman Nate Ament could be a star, and that gives Tennessee enough talent to stay dangerous. Their physical style and disciplined defense will keep them in the mix—even if they no longer have a go-to scorer like Lanier.
Florida Gators
Todd Golden is fresh off a national title but faces a rebuild. Xaivian Lee brings elite passing and scoring (16.9 PPG, 165 assists at Princeton), but with Clayton Jr., Martin, and Richard gone, there’s a leadership and scoring gap. Still, freshman CJ Ingram has elite talent, and if Lee adapts quickly, Florida remains a dark-horse contender. See the quote from Golden on Ingram below:
""We consistently talk about having guys with great attitudes, work ethics, and most importantly, the desire to be a Gator. Coming from a legacy Gator family, we know how much he cares about wearing the orange and blue. CJ was a multi-sport star who just this past year, focused solely on basketball, and you can see the great strides he's made already. CJ is a fantastic young man who comes from a great family and will represent our program very well. We are thrilled to welcome him!""Todd Golden, Florida Head Coach
Ole Miss Rebels
Chris Beard’s portal class is quietly dangerous. AJ Storr gives them an alpha scorer, Corey Chest provides defensive toughness, and Travis Perry—yes, that one—could flourish in year 2 in a college offense. Depth and identity remain issues, but the ceiling is Sweet 16 or better.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Nate Oats can score with anybody, but defense and late-game execution haunted Alabama last year. With Grant Nelson gone and roster turnover on the horizon, the Tide need new stars to emerge. Still, with Oats’ system, they’re always a threat—just a tier below Kentucky and Auburn until proven otherwise.
If a few things go their way, any of these teams could be dancing deep into March.