Jon Rothstein Unveils His Early SEC Basketball Power Rankings for 2025-26 and Sparks Heated Debate Across College Hoops Nation
Jon Rothstein, one of the most trusted and relentless voices in college basketball media, has done it again. With the 2025-26 season still months away, Rothstein dropped his much-anticipated early SEC Power Rankings—and as always, the college basketball world instantly lit up with discussion, disagreement, and debate. Known for his signature catchphrases, insider scoops, and never-ending stream of basketball updates, Rothstein’s opinions carry serious weight, especially when it comes to forecasting the balance of power in major conferences.
The Southeastern Conference, once known primarily as a football-first league, has firmly established itself in the upper echelon of college basketball over the past decade. With powerhouse programs like Kentucky and Tennessee, rising threats like Alabama and Auburn, and a growing middle tier of competitive teams, the SEC has become as unpredictable as it is dangerous. And Rothstein’s latest rankings for the upcoming season reflect just how much has changed—and just how intense the competition is shaping up to be.
At the top of Rothstein’s rankings sits Kentucky, a program with both legacy and recent chaos. After the stunning departure of John Calipari and the arrival of new head coach Mark Pope last season, few expected the Wildcats to rebound so quickly. But after a strong recruiting cycle, key transfer additions, and a clear sense of renewed identity, Rothstein believes Kentucky is poised to reassert itself as the SEC’s top dog. His reasoning? Depth, shooting, and discipline. “Kentucky will play older, tougher, and more modern basketball,” Rothstein wrote. “This is a new era in Lexington.”
But Rothstein didn’t stop there. Right behind Kentucky in his early projection is Tennessee, a team that has been knocking on the door of national relevance under Rick Barnes for years. Coming off another Sweet 16 run and returning one of the most experienced cores in the country, the Volunteers boast physicality, defensive identity, and veteran leadership. Rothstein praised their consistency and the program’s ability to develop overlooked talent into stars. “Tennessee is the type of team no one wants to play in March,” he noted. “And they’ll be even nastier come January.”
The third spot went to Alabama, and here’s where the rankings started generating real controversy. After an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign and a brutal early exit from the NCAA Tournament, some fans felt the Crimson Tide deserved a lower placement. But Rothstein made it clear—this ranking is about potential. Nate Oats returns a high-octane offense, a projected lottery pick at guard, and perhaps the deepest shooting rotation in the league. “If Alabama buys in defensively,” Rothstein said, “they can run anyone out of the gym.”
Auburn, who landed fourth, also raised eyebrows. Bruce Pearl’s squad is known for its chaotic energy and aggressive play style, and Rothstein believes the Tigers are ready to leap back into title contention. With a reloaded frontcourt and one of the most underrated freshman classes in the country, Rothstein sees Auburn as a team that could beat anyone on a given night. “When Auburn hits shots, they look like a Final Four team,” he wrote. “The question is: can they do it consistently?”
Then came Arkansas at number five. Under new head coach John Calipari, expectations in Fayetteville are soaring. Rothstein praised Calipari’s ability to reload quickly with transfers and high-level freshmen, calling Arkansas “a sleeping giant that just got a wake-up call.” Though some fans expected a higher ranking given Calipari’s pedigree, Rothstein emphasized the unknowns surrounding roster chemistry and system fit. “This team will look different in February than it does in November,” he warned.
Florida, LSU, and Texas A&M rounded out the next tier in Rothstein’s rankings. Florida, under Todd Golden, continues to make strides with smart transfers and an analytical approach. LSU, meanwhile, is still trying to reclaim its identity after years of coaching turnover and NCAA sanctions but boasts an intriguing blend of size and shooting. Texas A&M’s placement surprised many—dropping out of the top five despite returning their top three scorers. But Rothstein was clear: “You need more than continuity to win. You need growth. And I haven’t seen enough yet.”
Mississippi State, Missouri, and South Carolina were slotted in the middle of the pack. These teams, while unlikely to contend for the conference title, all have one thing in common: they are tough outs. Rothstein emphasized that the strength of the SEC lies not just in its elite teams, but in the grind of conference play. “There are no layups in this league,” he wrote. “If you think you’re going to walk into Starkville or Columbia and cruise to a win, you’re mistaken.”
Perhaps the most surprising pick in Rothstein’s rankings was Texas at number twelve. Entering their first full season as an SEC member, the Longhorns were expected by some to be immediate contenders. But Rothstein questioned their roster turnover, leadership vacuum, and defensive commitment. “Talent? Sure. But are they built for SEC play? Not yet,” he said.
At the bottom of the list were Georgia and Vanderbilt—two programs struggling to gain traction in an increasingly competitive conference. Rothstein did offer some optimism for Georgia, pointing to a solid recruiting class and a coach with a proven system. But Vanderbilt? “They’re rebuilding from the foundation up,” Rothstein wrote bluntly. “And it’s going to take time.”
As expected, the backlash was swift. Fans of almost every school had something to say. Arkansas fans believed Rothstein underrated them, especially given Calipari’s success in March. Texas fans were outraged at being ranked behind Mississippi State and Missouri. Alabama fans loved the praise, but Tennessee fans insisted they should be number one based on recent results and experience.
But that’s exactly what Rothstein does best—he gets people talking. His power rankings aren’t just predictive lists; they’re conversation starters, emotional accelerators, and, in many ways, pulse checks on the state of the sport. He understands the landscape of college basketball better than most, and he’s not afraid to trust his gut when it comes to making bold calls.
Still, Rothstein was careful to note that these are early power rankings. A lot can change between July and the opening tip in November. Injuries, late transfers, coaching tweaks, and unexpected breakout stars can dramatically shift the balance of power. “This is just the first draft,” Rothstein tweeted after releasing the list. “The story hasn’t been written yet.”
What makes these rankings so compelling is how deep the SEC has become. Unlike in previous decades, where Kentucky dominated a weak field, today’s SEC is layered with depth, coaching talent, and national relevance. Teams that would’ve been afterthoughts ten years ago now regularly appear in the top 25 and make serious tournament noise. That’s a credit to the conference’s investment in basketball and its coaches’ ability to adapt to the ever-evolving transfer portal and NIL landscape.
And Rothstein sees it clearly: the SEC isn’t just a football factory anymore. It’s a basketball battleground. Every night is a war. Every game matters. And come March, at least six or seven of these teams will be fighting to make a deep tournament run.
So what do the early power rankings really tell us? More than anything, they show that the SEC is poised for another blockbuster season. With storylines at every level—Kentucky’s rebirth, Tennessee’s redemption arc, Calipari’s reinvention in Arkansas, Alabama’s firepower, and Texas’s uncertain transition—the 2025-26 campaign promises to be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.
Whether or not Rothstein’s rankings hold up remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: college basketball is coming, and the SEC is ready to put on a show.
And as Jon Rothstein would say—“This is March… in the making.”
