Another SEC team enters the race to steal Chad Baker-Mazara away from Auburn

Plenty of people remain stunned that Auburn basketball standout Chad Baker-Mazara won't be back with the team next season. Seemingly out of nowhere, he announced last week that he's entering the transfer portal - CBM has one more season of eligibility remaining.

Following his entry into the portal, several teams were mentioned as destinations. In the SEC alone, Kentucky and Ole Miss popped up pretty quickly. According to reporter Jeff Goodman, however, there's a new conference rival for Auburn fans to worry about. Yup, that'd be Arkansas, as John Calipari and Co. are apparently in contact with Baker-Mazara and his reps. Whoa:

Arkansas and John Calipari are reportedly in contact with Chad Baker-Mazara

In addition to the three SEC programs, Providence is also in the running. There's been plenty of buzz surrounding Kentucky, but it's pretty darn interesting that Calipari also has interest here. It shouldn't be a surprise, though, as Baker-Mazara is coming off a strong campaign with the Tigers.

Last season for the Tigers, the 6-7, 180-pounder averaged 12.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest. He of course made a difference on the defensive end as well. Baker-Mazara and Johni Broome were senior leaders for the Tigers, helping the team take home the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament. Auburn went on to reach the Final Four.

With Broome off to the NBA and Baker-Mazara looking for a new place to call home, those two losses are surely going to sting for Bruce Pearl and his staff. Things are only going to be made worse if Baker-Mazara ends up signing with an SEC rival.

Kentucky, Ole Miss and now Arkansas are hoping to get him to sign in the near future. Wherever he ends up, it's going to be strange seeing him in a different jersey. Could he shock us all and return to Auburn? That feels beyond unlikely at this point.