WBN SEC Basketball Power Rankings: 02-10-2013 Edition
By Wayne
February 10, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Michael Carrera (24) and Tennessee Volunteers forward Jarnell Stokes (5) battle for a loose ball in the first half at Colonial-Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
8. Tennessee Volunteers (12-10, 4-6) Last Week: L 68-62 vs. Georgia, W 66-61 at South Carolina: The Volunteers are still finding their identity and Jarnell Stokes is their mantle carrier. Once they make him the focal point of their offense, the Volunteers will be a tough W for anyone not named Florida or Kentucky. Couple him with Jordan McRae and you’ve got a no nonsense duo that will be strong for the second half of SEC play. This Week: February 13 at Vanderbilt, February 16 vs. Kentucky
9. Georgia Bulldogs (12-11, 6-4) Last Week: At this point, it’s almost anyone’s guess as to how Georgia has put this winning streak together. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the easy answer but with the emergence of Kenny Gaines and a decently stout D, Fox’s Dawgs are sending a message to the rest of the SEC that the doormat belongs in Mississippi or Tennessee… not Georgia. This Week: February 12 vs. Alabama, February 16 at Ole Miss
10. LSU Tigers (13-8, 4-6) Last Week: W 57-56 vs. Vanderbilt, L 60-57 at Alabama: One of LSU’s Achilles Heel’s is their depth and another is their bench play. Their bench was outscored 19-3 against Bama. Considering Bama scored 14 points in a half earlier in the week, that’s deplorable. Still though, Johnny Jones is the right coach with the right players. Patience Tigers fans. This Week: February 14 at South Carolina, February 16 vs. Mississippi State
11. Auburn Tigers (9-14, 3-7) Last Week: W 49-37 vs. Alabama, L 72-62 at Kentucky: Sooo…apparently the circumference of the basket is significantly smaller in the SEC. I mean, I’ve seen middle school girls games with higher scores than this one. Tony Barbee doesn’t have much talent or maturity on this squad. With Sullivan throwing up a 1-13 shooting night then getting tossed against UK for throwing a punch, the season will only get worse but at least they split this week. This Week: February 13 vs. Auburn, February 16 vs. Florida
12. South Carolina Gamecocks (12-11, 2-8) Last Week: L 77-55 at Kentucky, L 66-61 vs. Tennessee: I’m not sure what Frank Martin expected at his first trip to Rupp but I’m sure his team shooting 28.8 % wasn’t among them. Michael Carrera was their only double-digit scorer and Bruce Ellington is the only other Gamecock close (9). After a couple close games this week, at least Martin can sleep knowing his team competed 50% of the time. This Week: February 14 vs. LSU, February 16 at Alabama
13. Vanderbilt (9-13, 3-7) Last Week: L 57-56 at LSU, W 67-49 vs. Alabama: Rod Odom, Dai-Jon Parker, and Josh Henderson are ALL that Kevin Stallings has available on offense and Parker is among his best rebounders. Parker is a Guard. Vandy’s games are 50-50 at best and that could go a long way to getting Stallings out of Vandy and maybe to the program some measure of respectability. This Week: February 13 vs. Tennessee, February 16 vs. Texas A&M
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-15, 2-8) Last Week: L 93-75 at Ole Miss, L 83-58 vs. LSU: Let’s face it, the Dogs didn’t have a chance once Florida got popped by Arkansas and while Ole Miss was buying in to the hype surrounding their program. Their post presence is by far their greatest asset with Colin Borchert and Gavin Ware carrying their load. The load is MUCH too heavy for them to bear. This Week: February 13 vs. #21 Mizzou, February 16 at LSU