SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Matt Melton | Nov 5, 2022

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 26: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats 75-73. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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Auburn Tigers guard KD Johnson (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. Auburn Tigers

The 2021-22 regular season champions, head coach Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers begin the 2022-23 season ranked as the No. 4 team in our SEC Basketball power rankings.

As mentioned previously, Auburn claimed the 2021-22 SEC regular season title by finishing with a 15-3 in conference play, as well as a 28-6 mark overall. Returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since their run to the Final Four in 2018-19, the Tigers were upset in the second round, and will have to replace their top two players off that team in Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler.

Returning for the Tigers however is an experienced and talented backcourt led by KD Johnson and Wendell Green Jr, one that also returns Allen Flanigan and Zep Jasper. Auburn has also added two freshmen to the mix in the backcourt as well in Chance Westry and Tre Donaldson, both of which should make an impact in 2022-23.

As for the frontcourt, the Tigers also return a few names such as Dylan Cardwell and Jaylin Williams, while also having added two key players to the mix in Johni Broome and Yohan Traore, both of which should start games for Auburn this season.

While almost every team should take a step back after losing two players as impactful as Smith and Kessler were, Auburn’s step back will likely not be very far as the Tigers have added talent in those same spots. Because of this, Auburn should be one of the conference’s best in 2022-23, and in a position to contend for yet another SEC regular season title.

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