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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Arkansas Razorbacks guard Davonte Davis (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2. Arkansas Razorbacks

Having made deep runs in each of the past two NCAA Tournaments, Arkansas begins the 2022-23 season ranked at the No. 2 spot in our SEC Basketball power rankings.

As mentioned previously, Arkansas reached the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season a year ago, culminating a season in which the Razorbacks went 28-9 overall, as well as 13-5 in SEC play. In what was year three under head coach Eric Musselman, the 28-win total was also Arkansas’ highest since the 1994-95 season, a year in which the Razorbacks played for the national title.

Another team that saw a notable amount of roster turnover, the Razorbacks will be tasked with replacing multiple key names off last season’s team. However, Arkansas also returns a few notable players as well, with no name bigger than that of guard Davonte Davis.

What truly gives Arkansas the No. 2 ranking here is their offseason additions, headlined by a talented freshman class that includes names such as Nick Smith, Anthony Black, Jordan Walsh, Barry Dunning, and Derrian Ford. Alongside that freshman group is also a mix of transfer additions as well, with names such as Trevon Brazile and Jalen Graham likely to make key impacts this season.

Plain and simple, Arkansas has everything needed to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament once again this season. The only question left to answer is, can the Razorbacks potentially win the SEC on their way to a deep run in March?

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