SEC Power Rankings
After yet another exciting week in the Southeastern Conference some teams might have found their mojo while others simply have not. Heading into this past week in the SEC several questions had been raised regarding some of the teams, yet in typical SEC basketball fever mayhem happened throughout the week and into the weekend to cause yet another rift in the SEC basketball rankings. As we head into the third full week of Conference play here is how each team stacks up.
- Auburn ( 16-1, 4-0) – Bruce Pearl has his Tigers undefeated in conference play and only one loss overall. The Tigers lone season loss came against a decent Temple team on a neutral court. The Tigers should gain a bye in the SEC tournament if they contained to play as well as they have. The Auburn Tigers will play both of their arch rivals with traveling to Alabama on Wednesday, and back home to face Georgia on Saturday.
- Kentucky ( 14-3, 4-1) – The young Wildcats are coming off back to back wins after an embarrassing loss last Saturday night at Tennessee. The Wildcats held on to beat a feisty Aggie squad at home by one point, then went on the road to Nashville against a dangerous Vanderbilt team the Wildcats escaped with a seven point win. The Wildcats will be back on the road Tuesday night as they travel to South Carolina to face the Gamecocks, then back home Saturday for a huge SEC matchup with the Florida Gators.
- Florida ( 12-4, 4-1) – Despite losing to on the road at Ole Miss on Saturday the Gators come in this week at number three. The Gators are off to good start in conference play and have a challenging week ahead of them as they host Arkansas on Wednesday, and travel to Kentucky on Saturday.
- Tennessee( 12-4, 3-2) – With two home wins over Kentucky and Texas A&M the Volunteers come in at number four in the SEC this week. The Volunteers will have two challenging road games this week as the Vols travel to Missouri on Wednesday and to South Carolina on Saturday. Tennessee is an NCAA tournament team and should be able to clinch the 4th seed and a bye in the SEC tournament.
- Alabama ( 11-6, 3-2) – With back to back wins the Crimson Tide sneaks into the 5th position in this weeks rankings. Alabama is trying to make a push for an at- large tournament bid and winning back to back games will only help those odds. Alabama will face arch rival Auburn at home on Wednesday and home against Mississippi state on Saturday to close out the week.
- Ole Miss ( 10-7, 3-2) – Ole Miss went had one loss on the road at Auburn, a huge home win over the Florida Gators lands the Rebels at the number six spot this week. Ole Miss has two road games this week with at Texas A&M on Tuesday and at Arkansas on Saturday.
- Missouri ( 12-5, 2-2) – Missouri won one and lost one this week. The Tigers are a middle of the pact SEC team that will squeak into the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have a home to start the week against Tennessee on Wednesday, before traveling to Texas A&M on Saturday.
- LSU ( 11-5, 2-2)- LSU opened last week with a huge 21 point road win at Arkansas, then turned around and got beat at Alabama to fall to 2-2 in SEC play. The Tigers will host Georgia on Tuesday night before heading to Nashville to take on the Commodores on Saturday.
- Arkansas ( 12-5, 2-3)- The Hogs started last week with an embarrassing 21 point home loss to LSU, but rebounded Saturday with a huge thrilling win at home against a feisty Missouri team. The Hogs will travel to Florida on Wednesday before returning home to face Ole Miss on Saturday.
- South Carolina ( 11-6, 2-3) – The Gamecocks split last weeks game losing at Alabama then turning it around on the road at Georgia in a seven point win. The Gamecocks have two massive home games this week as Kentucky comes to town on Tuesday night, and Tennessee on Saturday. If the Gamecocks can find two wins they will be right back in the conversation for NCAA Tournament ball.
- Georgia ( 11-5, 2-3) – Georgia has dropped two straight SEC games after a huge road win at Alabama. Georgia is looking for an identity much like the rest of the SEC. This week for Georgia with a chance to get two quality wins starting with a road game at LSU on Tuesday, then on the road again to face the mighty Auburn Tigers on Saturday.
- Mississippi State ( 13-4, 1-3) – Mississippi State has dropped three SEC game and for that the Bulldogs have dropped to eleven in this weeks SEC rankings. Mississippi State will host Vanderbilt on Tuesday night before traveling to Tuscaloosa to face the Alabama Crimson Tide.
- Vanderbilt ( 6-11, 1-4)- Vanderbilt dropped two close home games this week. The first coming at the hands of arch rival Tennessee and top dog Kentucky. The Commodores will travel to Mississippi State on Tuesday, then back home to host the LSU Tigers.
- Texas A&M ( 11-6, 0-5) – The Aggies have lost every SEC game they have played in so far, they came within one point on two out of the five losses. The Aggies need to find a win this week to salvage hopes for the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies will have two homes games this week starting with Ole Miss on Tuesday, and Missouri on Saturday. I believe that the Aggies will end up winning both games and start to gain some momentum in the SEC.
As we look forward to another crazy week in the Southeastern Conference these rankings are bound to change next week. So buckle up as we get deep into SEC play and appreciate the beauty that is SEC basketball. As usual any comments can be directed on Twitter @mitchdavis_8 as I bring you all things Southeastern Conference.
Mitch Davis
SEC beat writer
Twitter- @mitchdavis_8
