SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Matt Melton | Nov 4, 2023

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Mark Sears #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to scoring a three point basket against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half during the finals of the 2023 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) /

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LSU Tigers guard Trae Hannibal (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) /

13. LSU Tigers

Coming in at No. 13 in our 2023-24 preseason SEC basketball power rankings is LSU, who enters year No. 2 of the Matt McMahon era in Baton Rouge.

The Tigers are coming off one of their worst single-seasons in recent years, as LSU finished the year at 14-19 overall, as well as 2-16 in SEC play. This was LSU’s first losing season since the 2016-17 campaign, as well as their first time missing the NCAA Tournament since 2017-18 (There was no NCAA Tournament in 2019-20).

After averaging 67.6 PPG last season, as well as allowing 70.7 PPG to opponents, the Tigers are now set to replace their top three scorers from a year ago in K.J. Williams, Adam Miller, and Cam Hayes, a trio that combined for 35+ PPG and 10+ RPG last season. A few others have also moved on, which includes Justice Hill and Justice Williams in the backcourt.

Returning for LSU however are the likes of Derek Fountain, Trae Hannibal, and Mwani Wilkinson, among others, while the Tigers have also added multiple impact names via transfer. Included in that group are frontcourt players in Nevada transfer Will Baker, Vanderbilt transfer Jordan Wright, and Kentucky transfer Daimion Collins, as well as two-time First Team All-AAC selection at guard in Jalen Cook, who originally began his collegiate career at LSU.

The 2023-24 season for LSU will officially begin November 6 at home against Mississippi Valley State.

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