WBN SEC Basketball Power Rankings: 1/2 Edition
By Paul Jordan
1. (1) #11 Kentucky (11-2) (defeated Coppin State 91-61, defeated #20 Louisville 78-63) Big week for the Wildcats as they dusted off the Eagles and the bitter in state rivals on the road. Paramount to Kentucky’s development is the play of Josh Harrellson and the continuing on the job education of Brandon Knight. THIS WEEK: 1/3 vs Penn, 1/8 @ Georgia
2. (2) Vanderbilt (11-2) (defeated Marquette 77-76, defeated Davidson 80-52) No one gave the Commodores much of a chance of competing in the SEC before the season started, but Vandy has proven themselves to be a solid team. Even without leading scorer John Jenkins, the Commodores rolled Davidson by 28. THIS WEEK: 1/8 @ South Carolina
3. (3) Georgia (11-2) (defeated College of Charleston 70-55, Eastern Kentucky 64-57) It’s not always impressive, but the Bulldogs have now won eight in a row and showing that they can win the close games. They don’t have any quality wins, and still come into the SEC as a unproven quality, but the bottom line is this team is winning games. THIS WEEK: 1/8 vs Kentucky
4. (4) Arkansas (10-2) (defeated North Carolina A&T, defeated Texas Arlington 87-74) John Pelphery’s Hogs are another team that has cleaned up on the cupcakes and have not gotten any quality wins yet, but you can’t deny the record. Delvon Johnson has come from literally nowhere to give a nice front court presence this year. THIS WEEK: 1/4 @ #14 Texas, 1/8 vs Tennessee
5. (5) Florida (10-3) (defeated Xavier 71-67) The Gators got a good win at gutty Xavier this week so maybe that is what they need to get them started. The Gators have not been bad this year, but have been less than impressive. They still don’t have a true PG on the roster and that weakness is starting to show. THIS WEEK: 1/3 vs Rhode Island, 1/8 vs Ole Miss
6. (7) Mississippi (11-3) (defeated Alcorn State 100-62, defeated SE Louisiana 68-59) The Rebels struggled against yet another directional school, but you can’t fault an 11-3 record. One thing I like about the Rebels is that they are a solid defensive team and that usually is an equalizer and hides a lot of warts. THIS WEEK: 1/5 @ SMU, 1/8 @ Florida
7. (8) Alabama (7-6) (defeated Pepperdine 83-60) Alabama is not an explosive team, but did you know they have seven games where the opposing team has scored 55 points or less? That’s some intense defense. Bad thing is they have lost two of those games. If JyMychal Green and Tony Mitchell can get any help, this team could be a surprise. THIS WEEK: 1/3 vs Toledo, 1/8 @ Mississippi State
8. (6) Tennessee (9-4) (defeated Tennessee Martin 68-62, lost to College of Charleston 91-78) How much more of a trainwreck can the Volunteers season get? A narrow win over Tennessee Martin and a beatdown to the CoC. It appears that this team has quit on Bruce Pearl. With last years player suspension and Pearls suspension looming, it appears this program has taken on all the drama it can handle and is sinking. THIS WEEK: 1/5 vs #22 Memphis, 1/8 @ Arkansas
9. (9) South Carolina (8-4) (defeated Jacksonville State 56-49, lost to Boston College 85-70) Three losses in four games have started this ship sinking and let’s be honest …. Bruce Ellington and Ramon Galloway are not going to scare a lot of people in the SEC. THIS WEEK: 1/4 vs South Carolina State, 1/8 , vs Vanderbilt
10. (10) Mississippi State (8-6) (lost to St Mary’s 94-72) Fortunately, the Bulldogs can close the chapter on a horrible out of conference schedule. Believe it or not, the Bulldogs have talent to compete in SEC West … but who knows if this ship can be righted. THIS WEEK: 1/8 vs Alabama
11. (11) LSU (8-7) (defeated Southern 62-41, lost to Rice 74-68, lost to Virginia 64-50): LSU has gone 2-5 versus a soft schedule and it has not been pretty. It’s only fitting they tip off the SEC schedule vs Auburn as we learn who takes the title of worst SEC team early. THIS WEEK: 1/8 vs Auburn
12. (12) Auburn (6-7) (defeated Georgia Southern 88-84 OT, defeated Grambling 63-45) Break up the Tigers who have now won three games in a row!!! It’s a start, but OT wins over Georgia Southern do not impress me. THIS WEEK: 1/3 vs FSU, 1/8 vs LSU
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