With or without Denzel Aberdeen, the Gators will still be favored to win it all

Denzel Aberdeen drives against Maryland in 2025 Sweet 16 game

Think of Denzel Aberdeen as icing on an already delicious cake. With him the Florida Gators are the very smart choice to win the 2027 NCAA basketball championship. Without him, the Gators are still the smart choice but Denzel adds experience and knows what it takes to emerge from that three-week tournament gauntlet as a national champion. So, the question that has yet to be answered is will he either get the waiver from the NCAA that will allow him a fifth year or will he have to go through the courts? The easy thing to do would be for the NCAA to grant his waiver. After all, the NCAA has already cleared Franck Kepnang for a seventh – that’s not a misprint – season. Denzel played 36 minutes as a true freshman so this seems a no-brainer even for the NCAA. However, if the NCAA doesn’t grant the fifth year, there are friendly judges that will make him eligible.

Adding Denzel Aberdeen to the Florida roster only adds to what will be the deepest and most experienced team in the country. Todd Golden, who has proven to be a master of roster construction, has seven bigs and eight perimeter players assuming Aberdeen is eligible. The front court of All-American Tommy Haugh, national defensive player of the year Rueben Chinyelu, and Alex Condon will be starting for a third consecutive year. All three chose to come back to UF for a national title run rather than go to the NBA where all three would have been drafted. They make up the best front line in the country. During the summer Golden added Euros Domen Petrovic, a proven scorer who can rebound, and Arturas Butajevis, who can play the high post or down low. With Viktor Mikic and freshman Jones Lay available, the Gators can overwhelm opponents with size and interior defense.

Aberdeen is the perfect sidekick for returning point guard Boogie Fland. Aberdeen can hit shots, take it to the rack and he’s a lights out defender, and he is capable of giving 10-12 minutes per game at the point. If somehow he is ineligible, Golden has plenty of options starting with SEC sixth man of the year Urban Klavzar and Isaiah Brown. The backup point is Alex Lloyd, who has made great strides since a tentative freshman year. Had he been healthy last year, AJ Brown could have been the shooter the Gators needed. He will get his chances this season. CJ Ingram is a hybrid guard/small forward. He might be the first one off the bench when Tommy Haugh needs rest.

This is a complete roster with no glaring weaknesses. The Gators finished last season 9^th in offensive efficiency, 6^th in defensive efficiency per kenpom.com. Bringing Aberdeen back from Kentucky should have the effect of making the Gators one of the top three teams defensively. Offensively, this should easily be a better 3-point shooting team. If there are no droughts launching threes, the Gators could turn out to be the most efficient offensive team in the country.

There are no guarantees that Florida will win its second national championship in three years, but the Gators have size, experience and proven chemistry to win it all with or without Denzel. If you wager on such things, however, put your money on Denzel Aberdeen in the starting lineup starting with the exhibition game with Baylor in Jacksonville on October 18 and all the way through the end of the season.

FLORIDA ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Questionable (1): Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, 190, SR, from Kentucky)

Returning (11): Tommy Haugh (6-9, 215, JR); Alex Condon (6-11, 236, JR); Rueben Chinyelu (6-10, 265, JR); Urban Klavzar (6-1, 185, JR); AJ Brown (6-4, 210, SR); Alex Kovatchev (6-5, 195, SR); Boogie Fland (6-3, 185, JR); Isaiah Brown (6-4, 210, JR); Viktor Mikic (6-11, 260, JR); CJ Ingram (6-7, 205, SO); Alex Lloyd (6-3, 185, SO)

Incoming freshman (1): Jones Lay (6-11, 240)

International signed (2):  Arturas Butajevas (6-10, 235, from Lithuania); Domen Petrovic (6-9, 230, from Slovenia)

THE REST OF THE SEC

ALABAMA

Legal issues (1): Aden Holloway (6-1, 178, JR)

Returning (5): London Jemison (6-8, 205, FR); Keitenn Bristow (6-8, 190, SO); Preston Murphy (6-1, 175, JR); Collins Onyejiaka (6-11, 265, FR); Amari Allen (6-7, 205, FR)

Incoming freshmen (5): Tarris Bouie (6-4, 175); Quayden Samuels (6-6, 200); Jaxson Richardson (6-6, 200); Anderson Diaz (6-1, 180); T.J. St. Louis (6-10, 215, from Canada)

From the portal (4): Brandon Garrison (6-11, 245, JR, from Kentucky); Jamarion Davis-Fleming (6-10, 240, FR, from Mississippi State); Cole Cloer (6-7, 190, FR, from North Carolina State); Drew Fielder (6-10, 216, JR, from Boise State)

Outlook for 2026-27: Once in the NCAA Tournament, the Crimson Tide has struggled against taller, more physical teams so Nate Oats invested in size in the portal, the best of which was Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison, who can rebound and defend but doesn’t score much. Aden Holloway, who averaged 16.8 per game before arrested on drug charges, is in a second chance program but his status is still up in the air. Amari Allen dropped out of the NBA Draft to return for a sophomore season. Jaxson Richardson is the best of four freshmen, all of whom are expected to contribute.

ARKANSAS

Returning (4): Billy Richmond (6-5, 205, SO); Jaden Karuletwa (6-5, 185, SO); Isaiah Sealy (6-7, 200, FR); Paulo Semedo (7-1, 225, FR)

Incoming freshmen (6): Jordan Smith Jr. (6-2, 180); JaShawn Andrews (6-4, 195); Abdou Toure (6-6, 200); Maper Maker (7-0, 215); Ilia Frolov (6-11, 225, from Russia); Miika Muurinen (6-10, 210, from Finland)

From the portal (2): Cooper Bowser (6-11, 210, JR, from Furman); Jeremiah Wilkinson (6-1, 185, SO, from Georgia)  

Outlook for 2026-67: There are mixed reviews of the four-game trip to The Bahamas during the summer. Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.4 per game last year) and freshman Jordan Smith are legitimate scorers and Billy Richmond III is John Calipari’s Swiss Army Knife who does whatever the team needs. Those three played very well in Nassau. The big guys weren’t very effective, particularly on offense even though they had serious size advantages. Because it’s Calipari the Hogs will most likely be preseason top 10, but the big guys have to develop for that to be reality.

AUBURN

Questionable: Kolby King (6-1, 190, SR, from Utah State)

Returning (3): Kevin Overton (6-5, 180, JR); Tahaad Pettiford (6-1, 175, SO); Simon Walker (6-4, 195, FR)

Incoming freshmen (2): Caleb Williams (6-5, 195); Narcisse Ngoy (6-11, 220)

From the portal (5): Bukky Oboye (7-1, 200, RSO, from Santa Clara); Owen Freeman (6-10, 230, JR, from Creighton); Thomas Dowd (6-8, 225, JR, from Troy); Adam Olsen (6-8, 225, FR, from South Alabama); George Kimble III (6-2, 184, SO, from Vanderbilt)

International commitments (1): Matas Rubstavicius (6-6, 190, from Lithuania)

Outlook for 2026-27: Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, who starred in Auburn’s run to the NIT title are back so the starting backcourt is proven and efficient. The questions are up front where Steven Pearl has to find an entire front line. Transfer Thomas Dowd (from Troy) averaged a double-double and Adam Olsen (South Alabama) shot nearly 40 percent from three. They should start along with Narcisse Ngoy, a 7-footer from France. The Tigers should be good enough to at least make the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

GEORGIA

Returning (4): Blue Cain (6-5, 190, JR); Marcus Millender (5-11, 180, JR); Kanon Catchings (6-9, 190, SO); Kareem Stagg (6-8, 230, FR)

Incoming freshmen (3): Donovan Williams (6-3, 180); Hakeem Weems (6-9, 170); Kemauri Millender (6-0, 175)

From the portal (4): Freddie Dilione (6-5, 195, JR, from Penn State); Brady Dunlap (6-7, 190, SO, from Saint Louis); Andrew Osasuyi (6-9, 205, FR, from St. Bonaventure); James Scott (6-11, 210, JR, from Ole Miss)

International commitments (2): David Ugonna Ike (6-11, 230, from Nigeria); Mading Kuany (6-8, 175, from Australia)

Outlook for 2026-27: Mike White will win his usual 18-20 games and lose 10-12. In an expanded NCAA Tournament that should be good enough for the first round. Blue Cain, Marcus Millender and Kanon Catchings are  proven against SEC competition but the Bulldogs don’t have good size and will struggle against big, physical teams.

KENTUCKY

Returning (5): Reece Potter (7-1, 210, JR); Kam Williams (6-8, 190, SO); Trent Noah (6-5, 220, SO); Brayden Hawthorne (6-8, 190, FR); Malachi Moreno (7-0, 250, FR)

Incoming freshmen (2): Mason Williams (6-2, 185); Zyon Hawthorne (6-2, 180)

From the portal (6): Zoom Diallo (6-3, 190, SO, from Washington); Alex Wilkins (6-5, 175, FR, from Furman); Justin McBride (6-8, 230, JR, from James Madison); Jerone Morton (6-4, 200, JR, from Washington State); Franck Kepnang (6-11, 225, SR, from Washington); Milan Momcilovic (6-8, 220, SR, from Iowa State)

International commitment (1): Ousmane N’Diaye (6-11, 210, from Senegal)

Outlook for 2026-27: The Wildcats were looking like a potential top 10 team until Mark Mitchell elected to return to Mizzou rather than transfer to UK. Mark Pope landed the best shooter in the transfer portal in Milan Momcilovic, who got more money from UK than he would have gotten as a second rounder in the NBA Draft. Malachi Moreno’s decision to forego the NBA Draft was huge. Pope signed a point guard in Zoom Diallo (from Washington) and a power forward who scored at James Madison in Justin McBride. Kentucky should be better but enough to save Pope’s job? If the Wildcats don’t make it to the second NCAA weekend, there will be a conclave in Lexington where the Big Blue Nation will wait for three puffs of smoke because the old Pope will be a goner.

LSU

Questionable (4): RJ Luis (6-7, 196, G-League, formerly St. John’s); Donovan Dent (6-2, 185, SR, from UCLA); Skyy Clark (6-3, 210, SR, from UCLA); Gilad Levy (7-3, 240, from Israel); Marcio Santos (6-9, 250, from Brazil by way of Israel)

Returning (0):  

Incoming freshman (1): Marcus Vaughns (6-8, 221)

From the portal (4): Mouhamed Dioubate (6-7, 215, JR, from Kentucky); Divine Ugochukwu (6-3, 190, SO, from Michigan State); Abdi Bashir Jr. (6-7, 170, from Kansas State); Austin Nunez (6-2, 170, SR, from UT-San Antonio)

International commitments (2): Saliou Niang (6-5, 190, from Senegal by way of Italy); Michael Ruzic (7-0, 230,from Croatia by way of Barcelona)

Outlook for 2026-27: Leave it to Will Wade to turn LSU into a complete sideshow. The Tigers retained no players from the previous season and signed only one freshman. Wade landed four from the portal and two internationals who should be eligible. This is where it gets interesting. UCLA transfers Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent are eligible thanks to a restraining order in California, but that could be nullified. Israel big man Gilad Levy is 24, a pro since 2018 and a high school graduate prior to 2022. Marcio Santos, a Brazilian who has been playing professionally in Israel will be 25 on November 2 when the collegiate season opens up. And then there is RJ Luis, the former Big East Player of the Year who spent two seasons in the G-League on a two-way contract. The SEC has a rule that says he can’t play so it’s going to take a court ruling to make him eligible. No matter who is eligible and who isn’t, it’s going to be a long and controversial year for LSU.  

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Returning (5): Josh Hubbard (5-10, 185, JR); King Grace (6-5, 195, FR); Cameren Paul (6-7, 210, FR); Tee Bartlett (6-11, 290, FR); Gai Chol (6-11, 245, JR)

Incoming freshmen (3): Tristan Reed (6-9, 230); Jalyn Collingwood (6-5, 190); Willie Burnett III (6-4, 175)

From the portal (7): RJ Johnson (6-4, 225, SO, from Kennesaw State); Kendyl Sanders (6-8, 230, FR, from Utah); TJ Simpkins (6-4, 185, JR, from Seton Hall); ND Okafor (6-9, 235, SR, from Washington State); Thomas Bassong (6-8, 203, FR, from Florida State); Ashton Magee (6-7, 205, FR, From Southern U); Trevor Reed (6-8, 215, from Denison)

Outlook for 2026-27: The Bulldogs return All-SEC Josh Hubbard, a 22.1 per game scorer last season. Freshmen Tristan Reed and Willie Burnett are going to have to play and contribute sooner not later. RJ Johnson shot 42.3 percent from three at Kennesaw State. Washington State transfer ND Okafor, who has 113 games of collegiate experience, is going to have to hold his own in the paint. He scores well enough but has been a weak rebounder. Can Trevor Reed make the jump from Division II Denison to the SEC? He needs to contribute. Middle of the pack in the SEC would be an accomplishment.

MISSOURI

Questionable: Mark Mitchell (6-9, 240, SR)

Returning (6): Trent Pierce (6-10, 210, JR); Luke Norweather (6-11, 232, JR); Trent Burns (7-5, 235, SO); Annor Boateng (6-6, 215, SO); Nicholas Randall (6-9, 240, FR); Aaron Rowe (6-2, 155, FR)

Incoming freshmen (3): Jason Crowe Jr. (6-3, 170); Aidan Chronister (6-7, 180); Toni Bryant (6-9, 215)

From the portal (6): Jaylen Carey (6-8, 245, JR, from Tennessee); Jamier Jones (6-6, 218, FR, from Providence); Bryson Tiller (6-10, 240, SO, from Kansas); Kennard Davis Jr. (6-6, 204, JR, from BYU); Jordan Crawford (6-2, 180, JR, from South Dakota), Cord Stansberry (6-3, 175, JR, from Western Carolina)

Outlook for 2026-27: Mark Mitchell played in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, then announced he was transferring to Kentucky, but since he didn’t enter the transfer portal would have been ineligible at UK. So, he’s back at Mizzou, needing a court order or an NCAA ruling that will give him a fifth year. If he can play, he will team up with Kansas transfer Bryson Tiller to give Mizzou a strong inside presence. Dennis Gates could have a top 25 team if transfer guards Jordan Crawford (South Dakota) and Cord Stansbury (Western Carolina) can handle the ball handling while providing some scoring too. Gates signed three stud freshmen including Jason Crowe, who should take over the point. This is a team that could make the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

OKLAHOMA

Questionable (4): Akoldah Gak (6-11, 225, from Australia via G-League); BJ Edwards (from SMU); Duke Brennan (from Villanova); Pop Isaacs (6-2, 170, SR, from Texas A&M)

Returning (5): Xzayvier Brown (6-2, 165, JR); Dayton Forsythe (6-2, 187, SO); Derrion Reed (6-8, 220, SO); Kai Rogers (6-10, 247, FR); Alec Blair (6-7, 192, FR)

Incoming freshmen (2): Gage Mayfield (6-7, 200); Quincy Wadley (6-4, 185)

From the portal (4): Khani Rooths (6-8, 205, SO, from Louisville); Tyler Hendricks (6-5, 175, RJR, from Utah Valley); Pop Isaacs (6-2, 170, SR, from Texas A&M); Yaak Yaak (6-11, 225, JR, from Oregon State)

Outlook for 2026-27: Porter Moser has perimeter scorers in Xzayvier Brown, Derrion Reed and Dayton Forsythe, but he needs a big man and if Villanova transfer Duke Brennan (12.4 points, 10.3 rebounds) doesn’t get a fifth year, the Sooners are going to have trouble with any team that has size.  SMU transfer BJ Edwards and Texas A&M transfer Pop Isaacs need an injunction or NCAA okay to play a fifth year. If they are eligible the Sooners will be a fringe NCAA team thanks to tournament expansion to 76 teams.

OLE MISS

Questionable: Micah Handlogten (7-1, 260, SR, from Florida); Corey Stephenson (6-6, 210, SR, from Florida International)

Returning (2): Patton Pinkins (6-5, 200, FR); Ilias Kamardine (6-5, 185, JR) 

Incoming freshmen (3): Yohance Connor (6-2, 170); Jaron Saulsberry (6-6, 170); Daniel Patton (6-7, 205)

From the portal (6): Roman Siulepa (6-6, 220, FR, from Pittsburgh); Adam Clark (5-10, 155, JR, from Seton Hall); Christian Brown (6-8, 236, FR, from James Madison); Stefan Cicic (7-0, 260, RFR, from Pepperdine); Desean Haskins (6-8, 200, RSO, from St. Joseph’s); Santiago Trouet (6-10, 218, JR, from Arizona State)

International commitment: Ben Henshall (6-5, 200, JR, from Australia)

Outlook for 2026-27: Making the NCAA Tournament will depend on the courts or a waiver from the NCAA for Florida transfer Micah Handlogten and FIU transfer Corey Stephenson. With Handlogten Chris Beard has a rim protector and strong offensive rebounder. Stephenson averaged 18 a game at FIU. Ilias Kamardine and Patton Pinkins are returning starters who can score and defend. Seton Hall transfer Adam Clark needs to take over the point so Kamardine and Pinkins can roam the perimeter. Aussie Ben Henshall could emerge as a perimeter scorer.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Returning (2): Grant Polk (6-6, 197, FR); Hayden Assemian (6-6, 230, FR)

Incoming freshmen (1): Marcus Johnson (6-2, 180)

From the portal (7): Kory Mincy (6-2, 185, JR, from George Mason); Aleksas Bieliauskas (6-10, 235, FR, from Wisconsin); Shane Blakeney (6-5, 175, JR, from Drexel); Camden Heide (6-7, 205, JR, from Texas); Jakub Necas (6-10, 240, JR, from Duquesne); Davion Hannah (6-6, 190, FR, from Alabama); Nasir Hines (6-10, 200, SO, from Palm Beach State College)

International commitment (3): Juan Francisco Fernandez (6-9, 220, from Argentina); Hugo Lopez (6-9, 210, from Spain); Mathias Vazquez (6-8, 230, from Brazil)

Outlook for 2026-27: Situation grim. Not much in the way of talent and the transfer portal didn’t produce any game-changing talent. The best two transfers are Kory Mincey (George Mason) and Shane Blakeney (Drexel), neither of whom is as good as the departed Meechie Johnson. Texas transfer Camden Heide can defend and do a lot of good things, but he’s a plugger not a star. Lamont Paris shouldn’t make long term real estate investment in Columbia and the surrounding area.

TENNESSEE

Questionable (1): Jalen Washington (6-10, 225, from Vanderbilt)

Returning (2): Ethan Burg (6-3, 199, SO); DeWayne Brown II (6-8, 251, FR)

Incoming freshman (4): Ralph Scott (6-8, 190); Manny Green (6-6, 205); Marquis Clark (6-1, 175); Christopher Washington Jr. (6-9, 195)

From the portal (8): Tyler Lundblade (6-5, 195, SR, from Belmont); Dai Dai Ames (6-1, 185, JR, from California);Miles Rubin (6-10, 205, JR, from Loyola Chicago); Jalan Haralson (6-7, 220, FR, from Notre Dame); Terrence Hill Jr. (6-3, 180, SO, from VCU); Braden Lue (6-8, 223, SO, from Kennesaw State); Juke Harris (6-7, 200, SO, from Wake Forest); Christian Fermin (6-10, 215, SR, from VCU)

Outlook for 2026-27: After years of trying to do it with defense, Rick Barnes has done a 180, loading up on double figures scorers from the portal. Juke Harris, who averaged 21.4 points at Wake Forest, was a top 10 transfer. Dai Dai Ames, who scored nearly 17 a game at Cal, will take over the point. Tyler Lundblade is a pure shooter from Belmont. The list goes on and on. What Barnes doesn’t have is a big guy who can rebound. If Vandy transfer Jalen Washington doesn’t get a fifth year, the Vols won’t have a strong inside presence. There is no depth behind Washington, so the Vols will be vulnerable against teams that can defend the perimeter and score on the inside.

TEXAS

Returning (4): Matas Vokietaitis (7-0, 245, SO); Anthon McDermott (6-4, 200, FR); John Clark (6-8, 200, FR); Lewis Obiorah (7-0, 250, FR)

Incoming freshmen (4): Austin Goosby (6-5, 186); Bo Ogden (6-5, 195); Joe Sterling (6-4, 180); Coleman Elkins (6-10, 240); Marcus Spears Jr. (6-9, 210)

From the portal (5): Isaiah Johnson (6-1, 170, FR, from Colorado); David Punch (6-7, 245, SO, from TCU); Amari Evans (6-5, 220, FR, from Tennessee); Elyjah Freeman (6-8, 185, SO, from Auburn); Mikey Lewis (6-3, 180, SO, from Saint Mary’s)

International commitment (1): Mantas Laurencikas (6-2, 185, SO, from Lithuania)

Outlook for 2026-27: A lot of experts believe Sean Miller has a team capable of making the Final Four thanks to the potential of a front line of Matas Vokietaitis, TCU transfer David Punch and Marcus Spears Jr., the top 2027 recruit who reclassified to 2026. The Longhorns have to find a point guard. Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson and Saint Mary’s transfer Mikey Lewis are more scorer than distributor. Miller is hoping the answer is in Lithuanian Matas Laurencikas, who had a breakout season in Monaco last year. If the Longhorns can get the play at the point and find the chemistry they are a very dangerous team capable of a deep run in March.

TEXAS A&M

Questionable (2): Bryson Warren (6-3, 191, JR, from the G-League); Jordan Pope (6-2, 185, SR, from Texas)

Returning (4): McKenzie Mgbako (6-8, 217, JR); Jamie Vinson (6-11, 225, SO); Chris McDermott (6-7, 225, SO); Jeremiah Green (6-3, 189, FR)

Incoming freshmen (2): Josh Irving (6-10, 200); Neiko Mundey (6-2, 185)

From the portal (6): PJ Hagerty (6-3, 192, JR, from Kansas State); Cade Phillips (6-9, 212, JR, from Tennessee);Jalen Reece (6-0, 185, FR, from LSU); Tyshawn Archie (6-1, 175, JR, from McNeese State); Jalen Shelley (6-8, 190, SO, from Loyola Marymount); Lukas Walls (6-5, 203, JR, from Radford)

Outlook for 2026-27: Bucky Ball 2.0 landed the top scorer in the portal in K-State’s PJ Hagerty (23.4 per game) and a pair of complementary pieces in McNeese State’s Tyshawn Archie and Jalen Shelley from Loyola Marymount. Size is not a problem if the Aggies can get into a run and shoot game, but if forced to play half court basketball they have neither the bulk nor the length to compete. Bryson Warren played in the G-League so he’s probably a no go. Jordan Pope has played in 135 collegiate games. He will need a court order. The Aggies are good enough to make the tournament and maybe even win a game, but that’s about it.

VANDERBILT

Returning (4): Tyler Tanner (6-0, 170, SO); Chandler Bing (6-5, 211, FR); Jayden Leverett (6-11, 245, FR); Jaylon Dean-Vines (6-4, 181, FR)

Incoming freshmen (4): Ethan Mgbako (6-6, 215); Anthony Brown (6-1, 160); Jackson Sheffield (6-9, 240); Gabe Nesmith (6-5, 175)

From the portal (5): Berke Buyutuncel (6-9, 245, JR, from Nebraska); Ace Glass (6-3, 185, FR, from Washington State); Bangot Dak (6-9, 180, JR, from Colorado); Sebastian Williams-Adams (6-8, 230, FR, from Auburn); T.O. Barrett (6-4, 200, SO, from Missouri)

Outlook for 2026-27: Mike Byington’s guard-oriented offense got good news when All-SEC Tyler Tanner withdrew from the NBA Draft. He scores, he passes and he’s tenacious defensively. Byington went to the portal to pick up Ace Glass from Washington and T.O. Barrett from Missouri so the Commodores should thrive on the perimeter. There isn’t a lot of size so the Commodores are going to have to outrun and outshoot opponents to win. They’ll do enough of that to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.