WBN SEC Basketball Power Rankings: 12/12 Edition
By Paul Jordan
1. (1) #13 Tennessee (7-0 – defeated #3 Pitt 83-76) – Bruce Pearl has his Volunteers at the top of their game as they knocked off #3 Pitt in a game that was not as close as the score indicates. This is a very good rebounding team and they were very physical as they bullied Pitt. Pearl still has this whole NCAA thing hanging over his head but hey, they are winning for now and it’s good times in Knoxville. Scotty Hopson has made this his team and Harris is as good as advertised. THIS WEEK: 12/14 vs Oakland, 12/17 @ Charlotte
2. (3) #16 Kentucky (7-2 – defeated #23 Notre Dame 72-58, defeated Indiana 81-62) – Good week for the Wildcats as they rode strong second half performances to put away both Notre Dame and the Hoosiers. Front court depth is still a problem for this team, but you have to love the shut down defensive intensity this team employs as they held both Notre Dame and Indiana without field goals for long stretches of the game. THIS WEEK: 12/18 vs Mississippi Valley State University
3. (2) Vanderbilt (7-2 – lost to #11 Missouri 85-82 in OT) – Not a bad week for the Commodores as they lost a tough game on the road at Missouri. The ‘Dores have been tough with just a pair of three point losses. John Jenkins and Jeffrey Taylor make a nice inside/outside combo for the Commodores. THIS WEEK: 12/18 vs SE Louisiana
4. (4) Arkansas (7-2 – defeated Seton Hall 71-62) – The Hogs came away with a nice neutral court win over Seton Hall in the SEC/Big East Invitational. John Pelphery is playing in a weak Western division this year and this could be the year his Razorbacks make some noise. Delvon Johnson can become an impact player this year. THIS WEEK: 12/15 vs Mississippi Valley State University, 12/18 @ Texas A&M
5. (5) #24 Florida (7-2 – defeated Kent State 65-52) – Gators have solid starting five that average from 12.1 to 9.9 per game and any player can break out and have a big night which makes them dangerous. Erik Murphy is making strides off the bench but all star frosh Patric Young is struggling to make an impact. Backcourt depth will always be a problem with this team. THIS WEEK: vs #5 Kansas State @ Sunrise FL
6. (6) South Carolina (7-1 – defeated Wofford 64-53) – Gamecocks have played solid ball thus far, but have tended to play to the level of the competition, struggling with a Wofford team. Only one player scores in double digits for South Carolina, so it appears tat the team is better than the sum of it’s individual parts. South Carolina has feasted on an easy early schedule, but you get the feeling it’s getting ready to get real. THIS WEEK: 12/18 @ #2 Ohio State
7. (7) Georgia (6-2 – defeated Georgia Tech 73-72) – The Bulldogs have been less than impressive at times, but one thing is sure. This team has a great will to win and are good at winning the close games. Their 6 wins this season have been by a total of 17 points and one of those games was a 9 point win. Transfer Gerald Robinson has stepped in this year and made the former scary duo of Thompkins and Leslie a “big three”. THIS WEEK: 12/18 vs Arkansas State
8. (8) Mississippi (5-2 – defeated Arkansas Little Rock 84-70) – The Rebels, like everyone else have feasted on cupcakes, but it looks like this team may be tough to beat in close games down the stretch. Chris Warren is hitting 94.4% of his FT’s and Zach Graham 88.2%. THIS WEEK: 12/13 – vs Mississippi Valley State, 12/18 – vs East Tennessee State
9. (9) LSU (6-2 – defeated Central Michigan 59-55) – The Tigers were taken to the brink by the 2-6 Chippewas this week and it does not look like this team is much better than last year’s edition … just boosting their schedule with early season cupcakes. THIS WEEK: 12/13 vs Coastal Carolina, 12/16 vs McNeese State, 12/18 vs Wichita State
10. (10) Mississippi State (5-2 – lost to East Tennessee State 63-62, defeated North Carolina A&T 74-58) The Bulldogs suffered a second straight embarrassing loss to ETSU and then “rebounded” versus North Carolina A&T. The Bulldogs desperately need Renardo Sydney because the only Bulldogs playing right now are Ravern Johnson and Kodi Augustus. THIS WEEK: 12/13 vs Nichols State, 12/14 vs Alabama State, 12/18 vs Virginia Tech
11. (11) Alabama (4-5 – lost to Providence 82-70) – Anthony Grant has an ambitious out of conference schedule lined up, but his Tide fell short at 10-2 Providence. JyMychal Green is back off suspension and the Tide have four players averaging over 10 points a game, so I don’t really get why this team is struggling this badly. THIS WEEK: 12/15 vs SE Louisiana, 12/18 vs Oklahoma State
12. (12) Auburn (3-5 – defeated Arkansas Pine Bluff 76-72, lost to Rutgers 63-54) – The Tigers are dreadful, but should get better as the season goes on as youngsters like Andre Malone and Earnest Ross get lots of playing time. THIS WEEK: 12/15 @ South Florida, 12/18 vs Presbyterian
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