SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season
By Matt Melton
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs
After back-to-back 18 win seasons, Mississippi State now enters the first season under new head coach Chris Jans, who comes to Starkville after five seasons at New Mexico State. As for the roster the Bulldogs will possess in 2022-23 as well, there is potential for Mississippi State to be higher on this list, but it likely depends on a few decisions that will be made in the coming weeks.
The biggest of those decisions will come from star guard Iverson Molinar, while others such as Tolu Smith, DJ Jeffries, Shakeel Moore, Rocket Watts, and Andersson Garcia are currently set to return alongside a 2022 class that includes three-star forward Kimani Hamilton. The Bulldogs have pieces set, and are a team to watch for when it comes to adding through the transfer portal.
Way-too-early 2022-23 Mississippi State Starting Lineup Prediction
- PG Rocket Watts
- SG Shakeel Moore
- SF Andersson Garcia
- PF DJ Jeffries
- C Tolu Smith
10. Ole Miss Rebels
A team that you could certainly say was hampered by injuries at the guard position during the 2021-22 season, Ole Miss is an interesting team to watch for as the offseason gets underway. The Rebels have already seen a few notable players enter the transfer portal, but Ole Miss however is set to return multiple key names in 2022-23, headlined by one of the most-underrated backcourts in the conference.
Jarkel Joiner, Daeshun Ruffin, and Matthew Murrell are all set to return to lead that group next season, while others such as Jaemyn Brakefield, Tye Fagan, and Robert Allen also return alongside the SEC’s No. 4 recruiting class led by four-star center Malique Ewin. For a roster that will likely add at-least one-to-two impact transfers, Ole Miss could be a sneaky team to watch for entering 2022-23.
Way-too-early 2022-23 Ole Miss Starting Lineup Prediction
- PG Daeshun Ruffin
- SG Jarkel Joiner
- SF Matthew Murrell
- PF Jaemyn Brakefield
- C Malique Ewin