The Southeastern Conference has been an absolute powerhouse on the collegiate parquet over the past few years, exemplified by both the Florida Gators‘ 2025 national championship as well as deep runs by a few of their league peers.

While the sport has seen some turnover as players leave their schools for either the NBA draft or the transfer portal, the balance of power still leans heavily toward the SEC, which once again appears to be a college basketball powerhouse this coming season.

The conference schedule does not kick off until just after the New Year, but it is not too early to start thinking about the marquee matchups that lie just ahead. With that in mind, CBS Sports writer Cameron Salerno put together a list of five favorite intraconference battles ranked in order, with the Orange and Blue getting two mentions.

Here is what he had to offer.

Florida vs. Alabama: Jan. 31, O’Connell Center, Gainesville

“On the same day Arkansas hosts Kentucky, Alabama travels to Gainesville to face the reigning national champion,” Salerno begins regarding his second-ranked SEC matchup.

“Alabama guard Labaron Philon sent shockwaves through the sport when pulled out of the NBA Draft process at the last minute to return for his sophomore season. His return, along with the addition of former five-star prospect Jalil Bethea, gives the Crimson Tide a strong one-two punch in the backcourt,” he continues.

“Meanwhile, Florida should again boast one of the nation’s best frontcourts thanks to key draft decisions from Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu. Haugh never formally entered the draft but significantly boosted his stock during the Gators’ title run.

“Florida swept Alabama last season, and this is the only scheduled meeting between the SEC rivals. Could this be the game Alabama bounces back? It won’t be easy to do in a hostile road environment.”

Florida vs. Kentucky: Feb. 14, O’Connell Center, Gainesville

“Kentucky defeated Florida at home 106-100 in its SEC opener last season. Luckily for college basketball fans, the two rivals will play twice during the regular season this year,” Salerno offers on his fourth-ranked face-off.

“Kentucky and Florida (17-1 on FanDuel) are tied for the fourth-best odds behind Purdue, Houston and Duke to win the 2026 national title. Florida has three of the top returners in the sport. Kentucky reloaded with the additions of Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and Braydon Hawthorne. This home-and-home series could decide the SEC regular-season title,” he concludes.

Florida men’s basketball’s 2026 SEC scheduleDateDayOpponentJan. 3Saturdayat MissouriJan. 6/7Tue/WedGEORGIAJan. 10SaturdayTENNESSEEJan. 13/14Tue/Wedat OklahomaJan. 17Saturdayat VanderbiltJan. 20/21Tue/WedLSUJan. 24SaturdayAUBURNJan. 27/28Tue/Wedat South CarolinaJan. 31SaturdayALABAMAFeb. 7Saturdayat Texas A&MFeb. 10/11Tue/Wedat GeorgiaFeb. 14SaturdayKENTUCKYFeb. 17/18Tue/WedSOUTH CAROLINAFeb. 21Saturdayat Ole MissFeb. 25Wednesdayat TexasFeb. 28SaturdayARKANSASMarch 3/4Tue/WedMISSISSIPPI STATEMarch 7Saturdayat Kentucky

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