The Southeastern Conference might not have the superstar names, but the talent is definitely in the upper echelon, with five projected lottery picks. They could also repeat the success of last year, when the SEC had two teams in the Final Four and the eventual winner of the NCAA Tournament. That kind of experience means a lot in competitive play, and we could get a taste of it this week with SEC Tournament action.
As quickly as it all moves for us Chicago Bulls fans, here’s what we need to know and watch to keep up.
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images2025-2026 SEC Standings:
Florida Gators (25-6 Overall, 16-2 in SEC) Alabama Crimson Tide (23-8 Overall, 13-5 in SEC) Arkansas Razorbacks (23-8 Overall, 13-5 in SEC) Vanderbilt Commodores (24-7 Overall, 11-7 in SEC) Tennessee Volunteers (21-10 Overall, 11-7 in SEC) Texas A&M Aggies (21-10 Overall, 11-7 in SEC) Georgia Bulldogs (22-9 Overall, 10-8 in SEC) Missouri Tigers (20-11 Overall, 10-8 in SEC) Kentucky Wildcats (19-12 Overall, 10-8 in SEC) Texas Longhorns (18-13 Overall, 9-9 in SEC) Oklahoma Sooners (17-14 Overall, 7-11 in SEC) Auburn Tigers (16-15 Overall, 7-11 in SEC) Mississippi State Bulldogs (13-18 Overall, 5-13 in SEC) South Carolina Gamecocks (12-19 Overall, 4-14 in SEC) LSU Fighting Tigers (15-16 Overall, 3-15 in SEC) © Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesSEC Men’s Basketball Bracket with Game Times
(All Central Times)
Day 1: March 11 – Wednesday
Game 1: No. 9 Kentucky vs. No. 16 LSU | 11:30 a.m. | SECN Game 2: No. 12 Auburn vs. No. 13 Mississippi State | 2 p.m. | SECN Game 3: No. 10 Texas vs. No. 15 Ole Miss | 6 p.m. | SECN Game 4: No. 11 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 South Carolina | 8:30 p.m. | SECNDay 2: March 12 – Thursday
Game 5: No. 8 Missouri vs. Game 1 winner | 11:30 a.m. | SECN Game 6: No. 5 Tennessee vs. Game 2 winner | 2 p.m. | SECN Game 7: No. 7 Georgia vs. Game 3 winner | 6 p.m. | SECN Game 8: No. 6 Texas A&M vs. Game 4 winner | 8:30 p.m. | SECNDay 3: March 13 – Friday
Game 9: No. 1 Florida vs. Game 5 winner | 12 p.m. | ESPN Game 10: No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN Game 11: No. 2 Alabama vs. Game 7 winner | 6 p.m. | SECN Game 12: No. 3 Arkansas vs. Game 8 winner | 8:30 p.m. | SECNDay 4: March 14 – Saturday
Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 12 p.m. | ESPN Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 2:30 p.m. | ESPNDay 5: March 12 – Sunday
Championship game | 12 p.m. | ESPN © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA Today Network via Imagn ImagesTop 2026 NBA Draft Prospects:
Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas – A guaranteed top-ten pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Acuff has the genuine potential to become a franchise point guard for any team lucky enough to draft him. He’s currently leading the conference in points, assists, and minutes per game, and has been directly responsible for Arkansas posting its best conference record since the 2021–22 season. With him on their side, there’s no telling how far Arkansas can go in the SEC tournament.
Nate Ament, F, Tennessee – In a guard-heavy draft class, 6’10 forward Ament will always stand out. The first 15 games of his campaign were less than ideal, as he averaged 15 points on awful shooting splits. But he turned his season around, averaging 22 points and seven rebounds while shooting 39% from behind the arc. He’s risen to a top-ten caliber prospect but is currently dealing with a right leg injury. He’s expected to return for the Tournament, which could only help his draft stock.
Jayden Quaintance, C, Kanas – On potential and promise alone, Quaintance is a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and one of the best defenders available in the class. However, since tearing his ACL last year, he hasn’t been able to live up to the high standards he’s set for himself. Jayden has played just four games this season before finding himself sidelined again with swelling. However, he’s expected to play in the tournament and could recoup much of his value and promise before the 2026 NBA Draft.
Thomas Haugh, F, Florida – From the best sixth man in the country last year to the best player on the best team in the league, Haugh has come a long way. He’s already proven himself on the biggest stage and has taken another step forward, with his draft value now climbing into the lottery. He’s averaging 17 points, six rebounds, a steal, and a block per game heading into the tournament.
Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama – If you need an example of why returning to college for an extra year helps, take a look at Philon. He’s nearly doubled his scoring from last season, now averaging 22 points per game along with five assists and a steal. He’s also showcased an improved ability to shoot the ball and has proven he can thrive in a system built around him at Alabama. The only reason he’s mocked near the edge of the lottery and not higher is his lack of muscle mass, and questions about how his strength will translate at the professional level.
Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas – Acuff might take most of the headlines at Arkansas, but Thomas hasn’t let him carry the offensive load alone. Thomas is averaging 15 points, four rebounds, and one and a half steals per game while shooting 41% from behind the arc. In almost any other year, he could have been a lottery pick, but this season he’s projected to be a first-rounder.
Amari Allen, F, Alabama – A jack of all trades, Allen has been a diamond in the rough for Alabama since becoming a mainstay in the starting lineup. He can score 25 on any given night, but he can also grab double-digit rebounds, dish out six or seven assists, or even lead the team in steals or blocks. Whatever the team needs, the all-around forward finds a way to provide it. If his tournament play looks anything like his conference performance, he’ll likely hear his name called in the early 20s of the upcoming NBA Draft.
Dailyn Swain, F, Texas – When you take a look at Swain’s performances this season, is when you’ll truly understand how deep this draft class is. Projected towards the tail-end of the first round, Swain is averaging the most points, rebounds, assists, and steals for the Texas Longhorns.
Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt – Also projected toward the end of the first round, Tanner is buried under all the guards ahead of him. However, he’s averaging the most steals in the conference with two and a half per game, along with 19 points and five assists per night. His 6’0 height definitely scares scouts, but a strong run in the tournament could change that.
Rueben Chinyelu, C, Florida – The 6’11 Nigerian center out of Florida is averaging an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double in the year following a championship-winning season. The starting big man is currently projected to be an early second-round pick, but he could rise into the first round with another strong run in tournament play. He does everything a traditional big man should and would thrive in the NBA in a double-big lineup.
© David Leong-Imagn ImagesBulls Potential 2026 NBA Draft Targets:
Darius Acuff Jr. – has been as impressive as they come. The Arkansas vs. Alabama game alone raised his stock and star potential above every other guard not in the top three. He finished with 49 points, five assists, and five rebounds while shooting 60% from the field, 60% from behind the arc, and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. More than just the scoring, his ability to pass the ball is exceptional, as he leads the conference in assists per game. He shows all the signs of being a franchise point guard. His defense does leave a bit to be desired, but at 6’3″, he’s stocky enough to hold his own and at least develop into an average defender.
Nate Ament – is a top-ten player on his best day, but a rough start to the season showcased some inconsistencies, and he’s currently dealing with injuries. The Chicago Bulls need reliability like they have with Matas, and Ament still carries a bit of a question mark in that area. His offensive upside is what keeps him relevant as a potential pick for Chicago, as he can fill some of the gaps in Matas’ game. He could help Buzelis by sliding into the power forward spot, allowing Matas to move back to small forward and adding some much-needed size to Chicago’s lineup.
Labaron Philon Jr. – is so intriguing. I won’t lie and say I want the Bulls to pick him in the draft, but only if they trade down on draft night. Philon is a more polished product, and you can kind of know what you’re getting with him. If we were the Miami Heat, I know we’d be able to build the muscle he needs to thrive, but with the Bulls, I hope that’s something he’s willing to work on himself. He can clearly score in bunches, averaging 22 points per game and recording 18 performances of 20+ points in the 29 games he’s played.
Thomas Haugh – will be 23 years old by the time the 2026 season tips off. I’m not saying he couldn’t develop into a star, but age matters when it comes to draft stock. The Bulls need as much time as possible with a young core, and the fact that Haugh could reach his ceiling before Matas or Noa even enter their prime is a bit concerning. That could also cause Haugh to fall in the draft, which might make him intriguing with a late first-round pick. But in a year where the freshmen have been showing out, he probably shouldn’t be on the Bulls’ draft board.
Jayden Quaintance – is the best “defender” in this class, but it’s been a while since we’ve even seen him in action. He also has a very untapped offensive bag, which makes him a big project for any team that drafts him. The Bulls already have one of those with Noa Essengue and might not have the patience or interest to develop more than one project at a time. Quaintance could be the next coming of Ben Wallace, but with him, time, recovery, attention, and development will be the most crucial factors in whether he walks the line between bust and star.
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