WBN SEC Basketball Power Rankings: 1/16 Edition
By Paul Jordan
STANDINGS
SEC EAST
Kentucky 2-1 (14-3)
Georgia 2-1 (13-3)
Florida 2-1 (13-4)
South Carolina 2-1 (11-5)
Vanderbilt 1-2 (12-4)
Tennessee 1-2 (11-6)
SEC WEST
LSU 2-1 (10-8)
Arkansas 2-1 (12-4)
Alabama 2-1 (10-7)
Mississippi State 2-1 (10-7)
Mississippi 0-3 (12-6)
Auburn 0-3 (7-10)
SEC BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS
1. (1) Georgia 13-3 (lost to Vanderbilt 73-66, defeated Ole Miss 98-76) – I am giving the Bulldogs the benefit of the doubt this week and leaving them in the top position despite a 1-1 record this week. I’m not going to hold a loss to Vandy against them and Kentucky cleaned up on the bottom feeders. Be careful Bulldogs, UK is nipping at your heels. THIS WEEK: 1/18 vs Tennessee, 1/22 vs Mississippi State
2. (3) Kentucky 14-3 (defeated Auburn 78-54, defeated LSU 82-44) – The Wildcas flexed their power this week, wiping up the Rupp Arena floor against the two worst teams in the conference. DeAndre Liggins is rapidly becoming a “go to guy” for John Calipari, but can this team still compete for a national title going just 6 players deep? THIS WEEK: 1/18 @ Alabama, 1/22 @ South Carolina
3. (2) Florida 13-4 (defeated Tennessee 81-75 OT, lost to South Carolina 72-69) – The Gators benefited from a bunch of 1-1 weeks in the SEC and only fell one spot. I still think the Gators can put it together and be a contender for the SEC East, but they are heading up a handful of teams in the rankings that are basically even. THIS WEEK: 1/20 @ Auburn, 1/22 vs Arkansas
4. (4) Vanderbilt 12-4 (beat Georgia 73-66, lost to Tennessee 67-64) – I am trying to ignore the Commodores 1-2 SEC mark by ranking them fourth, bu they did knock off Georgia this week. The Tennessee loss was not impressive, but I am hoping the Commodores can make me look good this week. THIS WEEK: 1/19 vs Ole Miss, 1/22 vs St. Mary’s
5. (5) Alabama 10-7 (beat South Carolina 57-47, lost to Arkansas 70-65) – I’m going out on a limb here and still stating I think the Tide are the best team in a weak West. They may be one of the best defensive teams in the SEC, sans Kentucky, and as we know, defense wins games. THIS WEEK: 1/18 vs Kentucky, 1/22 @ Auburn
6. (6) South Carolina 11-5 (lost to Alabama 57-47, defeated Florida 72-69) – Are the Gamecocks a real threat in the SEC East or just a spoiler? It’s hard to tell. Every time I want to write them off, they do something like beat Florida. I’m holding steady on the Cocks this week but this should start to sort itself out soon THIS WEEK: 1/19 vs Arkansas, 1/22 vs Kentucky
7. (7) Arkansas 12-4 (lost to LSU 56-53, beat Alabama 70-65) – I would have the Hogs in Alabama’s spot at number five, but to be honest, that loss to LSU really, really bugs me. Never the less, the SEC West is wide open and Arkansas has to be considered a favorite to win it. Just stop losing to the bottom feeders, John. THIS WEEK: 1/19 @ South Carolina, 1/22 @ Florida
8. (10) Mississippi State 10-7 (defeated Ole Miss 69-64, defeated Auburn 85-66) Is Team Turmoil I starting to wake up and make some noise in the West? Renardo Sidney gives the Bulldogs a fourth scoring option and makes them a dangerous team. We will see if Stansbury can keep him in the lineup. THIS WEEK: 1/22 @ Georgia
9. (9) Tennessee 11-6 (lost to Florida 81-75, defeated Vanderbilt 67-64) Is Team Turmoil II showing signs of life? Some people have Tennessee much higher but I still have not forgiven the early ooc losses, plus the loss to Florida negates the win over Vandy. Vols have a lot of talent but still not sure it can produce. They can prove they are for real this week. THIS WEEK: 1/18 @ Georgia, 1/22 @ Connecticut
10. (10) Ole Miss 12-6 (lost to Mississippi State 69-64, lost to Georgia 98-76) Wha happened? Lots of people had the Rebels as a possible contender in the West but at 0-3 have a huge hole to dig out of. It does not help that Georgia blew them out. THIS WEEK: 1/19 @ Vandy, 1/22 @ LSU
11. (11) LSU 10-8 (defeated Arkansas 56-53, lost to Kentucky 82-44) The illusion that LSU created by getting off to a 2-0 start was shattered by the beatdown in Lexington. This is a bad team, folks. That said, they are tied for first in the SEC west. What does that say? THIS WEEK: 1/22 vs Ole Miss
12. (12) Auburn 7-10 (lost to Kentucky 78-54, lost to Mississippi State 85-66) Move on, nothing to see here. Really. THIS WEEK: 1/20 vs Florida, 1/22 vs Alabama
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