When John Calipari strolled onto the court at Rupp Arena on Feb. 1 and led the University of Arkansas to a road showdown with Kentucky, it was an unforgettable moment in the coaching career of the face of SEC basketball. It will be a moment. Calipari led UK for 15 seasons starting in 2009-10, when the conference fielded just 12 teams and sent just four teams to the NCAA Tournament.
Calipari is now embarking on the second chapter of his SEC coaching journey, with the league featuring 16 teams, including nine teams that made it to last season’s NCAA Tournament. The conference has made great strides on the hardwood with the rise of programs like Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, all of which reached the Elite 8 or higher in recent years.
Against this backdrop, Calipari’s transition from one proud SEC program to another is especially fascinating. When he came to UK in 2009, fresh off a tremendous amount of success in Memphis, Calipari waved a magic wand and transformed the Wildcats from an NIT team to a 35-3 team, helping them advance to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. I got my seed. Elite freshman class.
Such a remarkable turnaround is not realistic today. One reason for that is that the competition in the SEC has gotten much better. College basketball is now also an upperclassmen sport, and that reality will test Arkansas in 2024-2025 as Calipari places several freshmen in the Razorbacks’ starting rotation. Meanwhile, at Kentucky, former Wildcats player and BYU coach Mark Pope has made a name for himself with a number of veteran transfers. His first team is no different than Calipari’s first team in Great Britain 15 years ago. But between the transfer portal, the NIL, and the improvements in SEC hoops, not much has changed since then.
On Feb. 1, as Calipari marched up and down the Rupp Arena sideline in Razorback red, coaching against a program he once led to unquestioned conference supremacy, we will be reminded of that reality.
SEC Preseason Player of the Year Award
Mark Sears | Alabama | G | Group
Sears made a legendary breakthrough in his senior season, averaging 21.5 points and shooting 43.6 percent from 3-point range, leading the University of Alabama to its first-ever Final Four. The crafty lefty is one of the sport’s elite outside shooters, but he’s also adept at getting to the free-throw line and skilled at using the knife to effectively target inside the arc. His decision to return for the bonus season makes Alabama the clear favorite to win the SEC championship. Look for Sears to compete for first-team All-American honors as he solidifies his place as the greatest player to ever wear a Crimson Tide uniform.
Preseason Rookie of the Year
Tre Johnson | G | Texas
Texas parted ways with starting guards Max Abmas and Tyrese Hunter, paving the way for new backcourt stars to emerge as the Longhorns move to the SEC. That includes Johnson, who is ranked as the No. 6 player in the class of 2024, according to 247Sports. The five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American is considered “one of the best scorers in the nation” by 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein. He should be ready to make an immediate impact for the Longhorns.
4 more players to watch
Joni Bloom | C | Auburn: Bloom extended his defense to the 3-point line last season while earning several third-team All-America honors. The former Morehead State star is one of the nation’s best post scorers and shot blockers. His return solidifies the Tigers as a legitimate threat to in-state rival Alabama in the race for SEC supremacy.
Jonelle Davis | Singapore | Arkansas: After spearheading FAU’s legendary run to the Final Four in 2023, Davis returned to the Owls and won the AAC Player of the Year award last season. Now, he’s headed to Arkansas for his final season of eligibility under coach John Calipari. Davis is a capable third-level scorer with the kind of veteran knowledge the Razorbacks will need as they restart in a tough conference.
Wade Taylor | PG | Texas A&M: Taylor’s offensive efficiency declined a bit during his junior season, but he remains one of the most electric guards in the nation. He averaged 25.6 points in five postseason games for Texas A&M. If Taylor can improve on his 32.5% 3-point shooting percentage last year, he could become an All-American on an Aggies team expected to be among the best in the SEC.
Jackson Robinson | SF | Kentucky: Robinson played under Mark Pope at BYU last season and won Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. He is now following Pope back to the SEC after spending time at Texas A&M and Arkansas early in his career. UK’s roster is constructed in a way that paves the way for the lanky winger to become the primary scoring option.
