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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Mississippi State Bulldogs forward DJ Jeffries (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

10. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Coming off back-to-back down seasons in conference play, Mississippi State enters the 2022-23 campaign as the No. 10 team in our SEC Basketball power rankings to begin the Chris Jans era in Starkville.

Looking back at last season, Mississippi State missed the NCAA Tournament, finishing with an 18-16 overall record, as well as an 8-10 mark in SEC play for the second consecutive year. This was the Bulldogs seventh season under former head coach Ben Howland, one in which Mississippi State essentially finished with a similar record to the year prior.

As for this year, Mississippi State sees a few notable players return such as DJ Jeffries, Tolu Smith, and Shakeel Moore, as well as forward Cameron Matthews who primarily played a role off the Bulldogs bench a year ago.

Mississippi State also added a key transfer in guard Dashawn Davis, a player who should start for the Bulldogs this season in the backcourt. Two freshmen could also play key roles for the Bulldogs this season as well in Kimani Hamilton and Martavious Russell, potentially even in a starting role.

Now set to begin a new era in Starkville, the Bulldogs are likely to finish among the middle of the SEC in 2022-23, but will likely be just on the outside looking in when it comes to SEC teams potentially being in contention for the NCAA Tournament come March.

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