SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2023-24 season
By Matt Melton
Sitting in the No. 9 spot is a Vanderbilt team that is coming off what was easily the Commodores best single season of the Jerry Stackhouse era. As to what that year looked like, Vanderbilt held a 22-15 overall record (11-7 in SEC), which was the Commodores highest overall win total since the 2014-15 season, but would however miss the NCAA Tournament for the sixth consecutive year.
At the moment, the Commodores 2023-24 roster is set to be headlined by guard Tyrin Lawrence, while Vanderbilt will be tasked with replacing names such as Liam Robbins, Ezra Manjon, Jordan Wright, and Myles Stute, each of which were prominent scorers this past season. Set to bring in three freshmen this offseason as well, don’t be surprised if the Commodores are very active once again in the portal in the coming weeks and months.
Coming off a strong first year under head coach Chris Jans in which the Bulldogs made their return to the NCAA Tournament, Mississippi State sits here in the No. 8 spot. As to what that year looked like, the Bulldogs would own a 21-13 overall record, as well as an 8-10 mark in SEC play for the third consecutive season, which would be enough for Mississippi State to sneak into the NCAA Tournament in the First Four.
The Bulldogs are set to potentially lose multiple key names, the biggest of which is forward Tolu Smith, but could also return Shakeel Moore and Cameron Matthews among others. Set to add players such as four-star point guard Josh Hubbard, top JUCO prospects Lerenzo Fort III and Jaquan Scott, and more as well however, Mississippi State should be strong in 2023-24, and is a team that could very well make the NCAA Tournament once again next season.