WBN SEC Power Rankings: 1/9 Edition
By Paul Jordan
SEC EAST
Georgia 1-0 (12-2)
Florida 1-0 (12-3)
South Carolina 1-0 (10-4)
Kentucky 0-1 (12-3)
Vanderbilt 0-1 (11-3)
Tennessee 0-1 (10-5)
SEC WEST
Arkansas 1-0 (11-3)
Alabama 1-0 (9-6)
LSU 1-0 (9-7)
Mississippi 0-1 (12-4)
Mississippi State 0-1 (8-7)
Auburn 0-1 (7-8)
WBN SEC POWER RANKINGS
1. (3) Georgia (12-2 defeated Kentucky 77-70): Huge win for the Bulldogs who knocked off the #10th ranked Wildcats and they held the lead virtually the entire game. The key to the Georgia win and if Georgia can continue to shoot from the line they did against Kentucky, more big wins will be on the way. The Bulldogs aren’t flashy but they have learned how to win. THIS WEEK: 1/12 @ Vanderbilt 1/15 @ Ole Miss
2. (5) Florida (12-3 – defeated Rhode Island 84-59, defeated Ole Miss 77-71): It was a good week for Florida as the backcourt of Walker/Boynton are playing very well lately. I expected the front court to be the real strength of this team, but they are under performing a bit right now, but if Macklin and company can start scoring consistently, watch out. THIS WEEK: 1/11 @ Tennessee, 1/15 vs South Carolina
3. (1) Kentucky (12-3 – defeated Penn 86-62, lost to Georgia 77-70): The Bulldogs were able to get Kentucky in foul trouble and when that happens, bad things happen for the Cats. The Wildcats have the most talented top six in the conference, but they desperately need to be able to go eight deep to make it through conference play. UK needs some players to step up … and quick. THIS WEEK: 1/11 vs Auburn, 1/15 vs LSU
4. (2) Vanderbilt (11-3 – lost to South Carolina 83-75 OT): The Commodores bear watching now to see how they respond to the upset loss to South Carolina. Vandy should have beaten the Gamecocks … but for now, we will chalk that loss up to the toughness of playing on the road in the SEC. THIS WEEK: 1/12: Georgia, 1/15 @ Tennessee
5. (7) Alabama (9-6 – defeated Toledo 83-41, defeated Mississippi State 75-57): Forget the record, I am starting the bandwagon for Alabama as the best team in the West. I love their defense and this team has finally started to score in the 70’s the last four games. They started playing good at precisely the right time. Watch out for the Tide! THIS WEEK: 1/12 vs South Carolina, 1/15 @ Arkansas
6. (9) South Carolina (10-4 – defeated South Carolina State91-56. defeated Vanderbilt 83-75 OT): Did I discount the Gamecocks too early? Honestly, I don’t think so, but they made me look bad this week with two impressive wins. This will be a tough team to beat at home, but I think the Gamecocks will be hard pressed to have a winning record on the road. Still if they can defend their homecourt like they did against Vandy, they can make some noise. THIS WEEK: 1/12 @ Alabama, 1/15 @ Florida
7. (4) Arkansas (11-3 – lost to Texas 79-46, defeated Tennessee 68-65): I frown on 33 point losses like the Hogs had to Texas, but to their credit, they appear to have shaken that loss off and got the win over Tennessee. The Hogs have a good record and need to be steady in the SEC. Pelphery has a great class coming in next year and I think the Hogs will be a bubble team for the big dance. THIS WEEK: 1/12 @ LSU, 1/15 vs Alabama
8. (6) Mississippi (12-4 – defeated SMU 75-57, lost to Florida 77-71): The Rebels have taken advantage of a schedule of cupcakes to compile an impressive record, but no quality wins 16 games in. Ole Miss could have made a statement by beating Florida, but as of now are still a big question mark in league play. THIS WEEK: 1/13 vs Mississippi State, 1/15 vs Georgia
9. (8) Tennessee (10-5 – defeated Memphis 104-84, lost to Arkansas 68-65): Inconsistent, thy name is Tennessee. With the beatdown of Memphis, the Vols have knocked off three ranked teams, yet they had their fifth loss pinned on them by unranked Arkansas. We will see how the Pearl-less Vols fare. THIS WEEK: 1/11 vs Florida, 1/15 vs Vanderbilt
10. (10) Mississippi State (8-7 – lost to Alabama 75-57) It’s three losses in a row and counting for the Bulldogs and honestly, I don’t know if this team can pull themselves out of their spiral. They could not even give Alabama a game. THIS WEEK: 1/13 @ Ole Miss, 1/16 vs Auburn
11. (11) LSU (9-7 – defeated Auburn 62-55): Proved they are not the worst team in the SEC by beating Auburn. Still gets no love for almost blowing a 26 point lead however. THIS WEEK: 1/12 vs Arkansas, 1/15 @ Kentucky
12. (12) Auburn (7-8 – defeated FSU 65-60, lost to LSU 62-55) What a weird week for the Tigers. Started off by winning their fourth straight game and knocking off 11-4 FSU and then came home and laid a 32-6 first half egg against LSU. The only thing consistent is their badness. THIS WEEK: 1/11 @ Kentucky, 1/16 @ Mississippi State
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans