Arkansas basketball was the third highest ranked SEC team when the Associated Press basketball poll was released Monday, so when the SEC predictions were released Tuesday, the slotting was familiar.
Media members across the SEC released the predicted order of finish and the league’s preseason all-conference selections on Tuesday. Arkansas found itself in third, behind projected league winner Kentucky and last year’s league champ, Alabama.
Following the Hogs were Tennessee, Auburn, LSU and Florida. Kentucky was ranked highest in the AP Poll at No. 10 and Alabama was No. 14, two slots ahead of Arkansas. Tennessee and Auburn were also ranked in the Top 25.
Arkansas guard Davonte “Devo” Davis was the only Razorbacks player picked on the league’s all-conference teams. Davis, a slashing and defending combo guard, averaged 8.4 points per game in 17 starts and 30 games last year for the Razorbacks.
Vanderbilt’s Scottie Pippen Jr. was named Preseason Player of the Year.
The Razorbacks finished second in the SEC during the regular season last year going 13-4 in league play. Arkansas fell in the conference tournament semifinals to LSU, but then made it further in the NCAA Tournament than any other SEC team, finishing in the Elite Eight with a loss to Baylor.
Arkansas opens its regular season November 9 at Bud Walton Arena against Mercer.