Early 2026-27 SEC College Basketball Preview

Jon Rothstein breaks down the SEC heading into the 2026-27 season, starting with why Florida is in a class of its own thanks to an unprecedented level of roster retention. Plus, why Texas looks like the biggest challenger, what's holding back LSU, and his full preseason SEC power rankings from 1 through 16. Rothstein also reveals his preseason SEC awards, including Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC, sleeper picks, breakout candidates, and the freshmen who could make the biggest impact in 2026-27. Plus, Twitter questions and final thoughts on the nation's deepest conference. (0:00) Welcome Back (1:50) Florida's Ridiculous Retention (5:15) Texas Looks Like the Biggest Threat (9:00) LSU: The SEC's Mystery Team (13:40) SEC Preseason Power Rankings (25:20) SEC Preseason Awards (31:20) Twitter Questions (36:45) Final SEC Thoughts #CollegeBasketball #Florida #Texas #Alabama #LSU #CBB #NCAA #BigTen #SEC #ACC #EyeOnCollegeBasketball #JonRothstein 🎥 WATCH • Subscribe to this channel:    / @cbssportscbb   • Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live • Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider 🎧 LISTEN • Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9... • Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... • Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRm... • Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📱FOLLOW • Twitter:   / eyeoncbbpodcast   • Instagram:   / cbssportscbb   • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?... ▶︎Gary Parrish:   / garyparrishcbs   ▶︎Matt Norlander:   / mattnorlander   ▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein 📖 READ • More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-bas... 🛍️SUPPORT • Shop our merch: https://www.paramountshop.com/collect... 💵BETTING • For everything CBS Sports Betting: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/ • Find the best sportsbooks: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/new... • Get the latest sportsbook promos: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/new... 🎙ABOUT EYE ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL CBS Sports’ official college basketball podcast is the most entertaining and informative of its kind. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander bring the sport into your ears at least three times per week with commentary, reporting, insider information and statistical analysis throughout college basketball all year long. 🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.