2020–21 Southern Conference men's basketball season

The 2020–21 Southern Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2020, followed by the start of the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play begins in January 2021 and will conclude in March 2021.

Preseason Awards
Preseason awards were announced by the league office on November 11, 2020.

Preseason men's basketball coaches poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
 * 1) UNC Greensboro (4) 76
 * 2) Furman (5) 74
 * 3) East Tennessee State (1) 63
 * 4) Mercer 56
 * 5) Wofford 47
 * 6) Western Carolina 44
 * 7) Chattanooga 38
 * 8) Samford 23
 * 9) VMI 15
 * 10) The Citadel 14

Preseason men's basketball media poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
 * 1) Furman (16) 278
 * 2) UNC Greensboro (9) 274
 * 3) East Tennessee State (4) 211
 * 4) Mercer (1) 190
 * 5) Wofford 184
 * 6) Western Carolina 175
 * 7) Chattanooga 150
 * 8) Samford 79
 * 9) VMI 61
 * 10) The Citadel 48