As the SEC Basketball Media Days approach, the Southeastern Conference media has released its preseason predictions and All-SEC teams. The Arkansas Razorbacks are projected to finish third in the conference, while standout players Jordan Smith Jr. and Billy Richmond III garnered individual accolades.
Florida is favored to repeat as SEC champions, with the Gators’ Thomas Haugh selected as the SEC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Haugh led the preseason All-SEC first team, with Arkansas’ Smith earning a spot on the second team and Richmond securing third-team honors. Other first-team selections included Rueben Chinyelu (Florida), Juke Harris (Tennessee), Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State), and Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt).
Jordan Smith Jr., a freshman from Washington, D.C., enters the season as a highly touted recruit. Widely recognized as the nation’s consensus High School Player of the Year in 2025, Smith was ranked as the top freshman in the SEC by 'The Field of 68.' He also appeared on the outlet’s list of top 10 SEC freshmen, joined by teammates Miikka Muurinen, JJ Andrews, and Abdou Toure. Notably, Smith and Muurinen also featured on Dick Vitale’s preseason “Diaper Dandies” team.
This past summer, Smith impressed during the Baha Mar Summer League in The Bahamas, where he led the team in assists and steals and recorded a 20-point triple-double in a game against Carleton University.
Junior forward Billy Richmond III, returning to Arkansas after participating in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, also earned a spot among the SEC’s best. Richmond, an SEC All-Defensive Team honoree last season, ranked second in league play with a 57.4% field goal percentage. Known for his offensive and defensive efficiency, Richmond was instrumental in Arkansas’ 2026 SEC Tournament title run, scoring 18 points in the championship game. Over the course of his collegiate career, he has shown steady improvement, nearly doubling his point production and notable stats across the board from his freshman to sophomore seasons.
The Razorbacks will participate in SEC Media Days this Wednesday, with head coach John Calipari, Richmond, and senior guard Cooper Bowser appearing on the SEC Network set from 4:50 to 5:15 p.m. (CT).
Arkansas formally begins its season on Tuesday, November 3, against UAPB. Before that, the Razorbacks will play two exhibition games at Bud Walton Arena. They will face Gonzaga on Saturday, October 24, at 3 p.m., and Memphis on Wednesday, October 28, at 7 p.m. Both exhibitions will air on SEC Network Plus and are not included in the season ticket package. Tickets are available through the Razorbacks’ ticketing platform.