SEC
In this Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, photo, Texas head coach Chris Beard, center, directs a practice at the team's facility, in Austin, Texas. Beard starts his season with the Longhorns with a roster loaded with transfers who collectively bring more than 750 games and nearly 8,000 points and 3,000 rebounds in their new program. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tipoff: In era of rampant transfers, Texas stands out

By Steve Megargee Oct. 26, 2021 03:16 AM EDT

FILE - Wake Forest's Ismael Massoud (25) drives by North Carolina State's Jericole Hellems (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Raleigh, N.C., in this Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, file photo. Among the newcomers at Kansas State are Arkansas-Little Rock transfer Markquis Nowell, Missouri guard Mark Smith and Wake Forest forward Ismael Massoud. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons at North Carolina State Wolfpack 1/27/2021

Oct. 22, 2021 02:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 13, 2021, file photo, LSU head coach Will Wade yells to his players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Wade dove aggressively into the college basketball transfer market to address the loss of four starters from last season including top scorer Cam Thomas. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
LSU adjusting to roster overhaul, key injury in 2021-22

By Brett Martel Oct. 21, 2021 08:26 PM EDT

FILE — In this March 13, 2021, file photo, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes yells to his players in an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. With the talent Barnes has assembled, Tennessee is looking for a fourth NCAA Tournament berth trying to improve on the regional semifinal reached in 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
No. 18 Tennessee's roster loaded with addition of newcomers

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 21, 2021 03:14 PM EDT

FILE - Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams talks to his team from the sideline as they play against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark., in this Saturday, March 6, 2021, file photo. Williams was expected to help the Aggies reach the next level when he was hired after guiding Virginia Tech to three straight NCAA tournaments, capped by a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2019. The Aggies went 16-14 in his first season before things fell apart last season. The Aggies finished 8-10 and 2-8 in Southeastern Conference play last year in a season with multiple stops and starts because of the coronavirus.(AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Buzz Williams hits reset in third season with Texas A&M

By Kristie Rieken Oct. 21, 2021 03:12 PM EDT

FILE - Arkansas guard JD Notae (1) shoots against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark., in this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, file photo. The Razorbacks won nine of its last 10 games before the NCAA Tournament last season and advanced to the Elite Eight. The Razorbacks enter this season ranked 16th. J.D. Notae returns to lead the way. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Arkansas gains first preseason hoops ranking since 2007-08

By Chip Souza Oct. 21, 2021 01:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2021, file photo, Missouri forward Kobe Brown shoots against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in College Station, Texas. Brown and Javon Pickett are the only Tigers who played regular minutes last year. (AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
Missouri rebuilds roster with transfers, talented freshmen

By Dave Skretta Oct. 21, 2021 01:39 PM EDT

FILE - Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar (1) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Nashville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, file photo. Ben Howland believes Mississippi State could be one of his best squads since arriving in Starkville. Molinar’s offense was key to the Bulldogs’ NIT run, and he’s a preseason All-SEC first team selection. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Mississippi State eyes NCAA berth behind Molinar, transfers

By Gary B. Graves Oct. 21, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

FILE - Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl argues a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor in Waco, Texas, in this Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, file photo. earl has rebuilt Auburn's roster once again, only this time with expectations for immediate success. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
No. 22 Auburn banking heavily on Jabari Smith, transfers

By John Zenor Oct. 21, 2021 12:02 PM EDT

Kentucky coach John Calipari speaks to the press during Kentucky's NCAA college basketball media day in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
No. 10 Kentucky looks to veterans, transfers for title run

By Gary B. Graves Oct. 21, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

FILE — In this March 7, 2020, file photo, Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches the action during an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina in Nashville, Tenn. Stackhouse got his biggest win even before Vanderbilt started practice for this season when he convinced Scotty Pippen Jr. to return for his junior season. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Pippen expects Vandy to compete, 'didn't come back to lose'

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 21, 2021 11:57 AM EDT

FILE - UMKC guard Brandon McKissic (3) makes a layup over Saint Louis guard Gibson Jimerson (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in St. Louis, in this Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, file photo. Florida added three defensive stalwarts via the NCAA transfer portal, led by two-time Big South defensive player of the year Phlandrous Fleming and Summit League defensive player of the year Brandon McKissic, to bolster a lineup the Gators believe will be able to compete in the stacked Southeastern Conference. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Kansas City Roos at Saint Louis Billikens 12/23/2020

Oct. 21, 2021 11:32 AM EDT

FILE - Florida head coach Mike White gestures in the first half of a first round game against Virginia Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, in this Friday, March 19, 2021, file photo. Florida might have its best defensive team in nearly a decade, an experienced group that seems to fit perfectly with coach Mike White’s style. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Florida gets defensive while rebuilding via transfer portal

By Mark Long Oct. 21, 2021 11:31 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2021, file photo, South Carolina forward Keyshawn Bryant (24) is pressured by Missouri guard Dru Smith (12) and forward Kobe Brown (24) during an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C. Bryant is the top returning scorer for the team at 14.4 points a game last season. (Tracy Glantz/The State via AP, File)
Missouri Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks 2/20/2021

Oct. 21, 2021 11:30 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2021, file photo, South Carolina coach Frank Martin talks to players during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Martin thinks he’s bounced back from the worst season of his career. He believes his Gamecocks are ready for the same thing this year. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
South Carolina, Martin want to be physical hoops team again

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 21, 2021 11:22 AM EDT

FILE - In this March 22, 2021, file photo, Alabama head coach Nate Oats directs his players during the second half against Maryland in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Shackelford, Quinerly lead reigning SEC champ No. 14 Alabama

By John Zenor Oct. 21, 2021 11:18 AM EDT

FILE - Duke forward Jaemyn Brakefield (15) hangs from the basket after a dunk against Georgia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Atlanta, in this Tuesday, March 2, 2021, file photo. Mississippi has seven newcomers, including Brakefield. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)
Boosted by newcomers, Ole Miss hoping for more scoring

By John Zenor Oct. 21, 2021 11:17 AM EDT

Crean faces big challenge after Bulldogs picked last in SEC

By Charles Odum Oct. 21, 2021 11:16 AM EDT
Southeastern Conference media gave Georgia coach Tom Crean an easy motivational tool when they predicted the league's finish. Crean now can...

FILE - Western Carolina forward Xavier Cork (13) drives the ball against Citadel forward Hayden Brown (33) in the first half of the first round NCAA men's college basketball championship game for the Southern Conference tournament in Asheville, N.C., in this Friday, March 5, 2021, file photo. TCU has eight transfers this season, including Xavier Cork, who shot 64% at Western Carolina in the Southern Conference. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File)
Western Carolina Catamounts at Citadel Bulldogs 3/5/2021

Oct. 21, 2021 10:40 AM EDT

FILE - Then-Georgia guard K.D. Johnson (0) celebrates after a dunk during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri in Athens, Ga., in this Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, file photo. Bruce Pearl has rebuilt Auburn's roster once again, only this time with expectations for immediate success. The preseason No. 22 Tigers' coach restocked his team with talented transfers like North Carolina 7-footer Walker Kessler, Georgia guard K.D. Johnson and five-star recruit Jabari Smith after a down year that followed the program's best three-year run in history. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Missouri Tigers at Georgia Bulldogs 2/16/2021

Oct. 21, 2021 12:46 AM EDT