When John Calipari walks onto the court at Rupp Arena on Feb. 1, leading Arkansas in a road battle against Kentucky, it will be an unforgettable moment in the career of a coach who has been the face of basketball the SEC. Calipari led UK for 15 seasons, starting in the 2009-10 season, when the conference had just 12 teams and sent just four to the NCAA Tournament.
Today, as Calipari begins the second chapter of his SEC coaching odyssey, the league has 16 teams, including nine that reached the NCAA Tournament last season. The conference has made significant strides in the hardwoods amid the emergence of programs like Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee, all of which have reached the Elite Eight or higher in recent years.
In this context, Calipari’s move from one proud SEC program to another is particularly fascinating. When he arrived at UK in 2009, after a string of prolific success in Memphis, Calipari waved a magic wand and transformed the Wildcats from an NIT team into a 35-3 squad that won the first place in the NCAA tournament with the help of an elite freshman class.
Such a remarkable turnaround is not feasible today, in part because of improved competition at the SEC. College basketball is also now an upperclassman sport, and that reality will test Arkansas in 2024-25 as Calipari deploys a few freshmen in his Razorbacks’ first rotation. Meanwhile, at Kentucky, former Wildcats player and BYU coach Mark Pope stepped in with a roster filled with veteran transfers. His first team couldn’t be more different from Calipari’s at UK 15 years ago. But between the transfer portal, NIL, and improving SEC hoops, it’s not much like it used to be.
We’ll be reminded of that reality on Feb. 1, when Calipari walks the Rupp Arena sideline wearing Razorback red while coaching against the program he once led to undisputed conference supremacy.
SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Marc Sears | Alabama | G | Gr.
Sears made a legendary leap during his senior season, leading Alabama to its first-ever Final Four by averaging 21.5 points on 43.6% shooting from 3-point range. The crafty left-hander is one of the sport’s elite outside shooters, but he’s also adept at getting to the free throw line and is adept at finding his way to effective looks inside the arc. His decision to return for his bonus season makes Alabama the obvious choice to win the SEC. Expect Sears to compete for first-team All-American honors as he solidifies his place among the best to ever wear a Crimson Tide uniform.
Preseason Freshman
Tre Johnson | G | Texas
Texas bid farewell to starting guards Max Abmas and Tyrese Hunter, paving the way for a new group of backcourt stars to emerge as the Longhorns transition to the SEC. Among them is Johnson, who was ranked as the No. 6 player in the class of 2024, according to 247Sports. The five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American was considered “one of the top scorers in the nation” by 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein and should be ready to make an instant impact for the Longhorns.
Four more players to watch
Johni Broome | C | Auburn: Broome expanded his range to the 3-point line last season while earning a handful of third-team All-American honors. The former Morehead State star is one of the best scorers and shot blockers in the country. His return solidified the Tigers as a legitimate threat to rival Alabama in the race for SEC supremacy.
Johnell Davis | SG | Arkansas: After leading the legendary FAU Final Four in 2023, Davis returned to the Owls and won AAC Co-Player of the Year last season. Now he heads to Arkansas to enjoy his final season of eligibility under coach John Calipari. Davis is an effective three-level scorer with the kind of savvy veteran the Razorbacks will need in their restart in a tough conference.
Wade Taylor | PG | Texas A&M: Taylor’s offensive efficiency declined slightly during his junior season, but he remains one of the most electric guards in the country. He averaged 25.6 points in Texas A&M’s five playoff games. If he improves on last year’s 32.5 percent 3-point shooting mark, Taylor could become an All-American for an Aggies team that should be among the best in the SEC.
Jaxson Robinson | SF | Kentucky: Robinson won Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year last season while playing under Mark Pope at BYU. He now follows Pope to the SEC after spending time at Texas A&M and Arkansas earlier in his career. UK’s roster is constructed in a way that allows the lanky wing to become a primary scoring option.