WBN SEC Basketball Power Rankings: 1/30 Edition
By Paul Jordan
SEC STANDINGS
SEC EAST
FLORIDA 5-2 (16-5)
KENTUCKY 4-2 (16-4)
TENNESSEE 4-2 (14-7)
SOUTH CAROLINA 3-3 (12-7)
VANDERBILT 3-3 (15-5)
GEORGIA 3-4 (14-6)
SEC WEST
ALABAMA 5-1 (13-7)
ARKANSAS 4-3 (14-6)
MISSISSIPPI STATE 3-3 (11-9)
LSU 2-4 (10-11)
MISSISSIPPI 1-5 (13-8)
AUBURN 1-6 (8-13)
TOURNAMENT WATCH
NCAA BOUND (5): Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia
ON THE BUBBLE (2): Alabama, Arkansas
NIT OR OTHER TOURNEY (3): South Carolina, Mississippi, Mississippi State
ON THE BEACH FOR SPRING BREAK (2) LSU, Auburn
SEC BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS:
1. (1) #23 Florida (16-5) (defeated Georgia 104-91 2OT, lost to Mississippi State 71-64): For this week, I am keeping the Gators atop the rankings even with a loss because they still lead the SEC East … narrowly. Plus Florida beat Georgia on their home court, which Kentucky could not do. It’s a tough week ahead for the Gators though as they have a tough home schedule. If the Gators can sweep, they take a big step towards a possible SEC East crown. THIS WEEK: 2/1 vs #22 Vanderbilt, 2/5 vs #16 Kentucky
2. (3) Alabama (13-7) (defeated LSU 70-46): Is the Tide the second best team in the SEC? No. But they are in a tremendous position of power right now with a 1.5 game lead in the SEC West. You can not argue with this team in SEC play though as they have the leagues best record and knocked off Kentucky. And this week, they did what a title contender is supposed to do – pound a horrid team. Make no doubt, the path to the SEC West runs through Tuscaloosa. THIS WEEK: 2/2 vs Mississippi State, 2/5 @ Tennessee
3. (5) Kentucky (16-4) (defeated Georgia 66-60): The Wildcats had a nice bounce back win over the Bulldogs on Saturday and made it apparent that they will be defending Rupp with a passion. Bench depth and road play will continue to be a question mark with this team, but this week should go a long way in answering both questions. THIS WEEK: 2/1 @ Mississippi, 2/5 @ #23 Florida
4. (7) Tennessee (14-7) (defeated LSU 75-53, defeated Mississippi 74-58): All of a sudden, the Vols are looking like a contender after dusting off two wannabes and winning four straight conference games. The way the Vols are playing now, you would wonder if maybe Bruce Pearl should stay gone? THIS WEEK: 2/3 @ Auburn, 2/5 vs Alabama
5. (2) #22 Vanderbilt (15-5) (defeated Mississippi State 81-74, lost to Arkansas 89-78): At this point, you have to start to worry about the Commodores a bit as they suffered their third SEC loss and still have five games remaining versus Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida. If you can’t beat Arkansas, you start to wonder if this team is starting to fade. THIS WEEK: 2/1 @ #23 Florida, 2/5 vs South Carolina
6. (8) Arkansas (14-6) (defeated Auburn 73-64, defeated #22 Vanderbilt 89-78) The Razorbacks rebounded nicely from last weeks beatdown loss to Florida and in the process have moved into second place in the SEC West and are just waiting for Alabama to slip up. John Pelphery’s team is capable of being a spoiler but we will see how they fare as one of the West leaders. THIS WEEK: 2/2 vs Georgia, 2/5 vs Mississippi
7. (4) Georgia (14-6) (lost to #23 Florida 104-91 2OT, lost to #16 Kentucky 66-60): It was a nightmare week for Mark Fox’s team as they suffered two tough losses. It was obvious this team had Florida on the ropes but could not seal the deal and they suffered a hangover against Kentucky in the first half. Georgia has a couple of winnable games this week. We will see if the Bulldogs can bounce back. THIS WEEK: 2/2 @ Arkansas, 2/5 vs Auburn
8. (6) South Carolina (12-7) (lost to Auburn 79-64): The Gamecock are starting to fade and a loss to woeful Auburn is inexcusable if you want to contend in the East. South Carolina has lost two in a row and while they should beat LSU, the game against Vandy could be the defining one of their season. THIS WEEK: 2/2 @ LSU, 2/5 @ Vanderbilt
9. (9) Mississippi State (11-9) (lost to Vanderbilt 81-74, beat Florida 71-64): The Bulldogs have been an incredible tease this year, showing flashes of being a solid team and then self destructing. Even with the loss to Vandy, you have to wonder if the big win over Florida is a sign this team is starting to turn it around. THIS WEEK: 2/2 @ Alabama, 2/5 @ LSU
10. (10) Mississippi (13-8) (lost to Tennessee 74-58): I still have not given up on the Rebels making at least a run in the West, although they need pretty much sheer perfection to contend. The brunt of their SEC schedule has been all SEC East teams and after UK, it just South Carolina and all SEC West games to follow.
Look for them to have a solid end to the season. THIS WEEK: 2/1 vs Kentucky, 2/5 @ Arkansas
11. (11) LSU (10-11) (lost to Tennessee 75-53, lost to Alabama 70-46): Are the Tigers even trying anymore? Four straight blowout losses. Lucky for Trent Johnson, Auburn is keeping the Tigers out of the cellar. It’s the SEC West though and LSU is just a four game winning streak from getting into the thick of things again. THIS WEEK: 2/2 vs South Carolina, 2/5 vs Mississippi State
12. (12) Auburn (8-13) (lost to Arkansas 73-64, beat South Carolina 79-64): The Tigers showed signs of life by upsetting the Gamecocks and it looks like they relish their role as spoiler. They have been more competitive lately, but they have their work cut out for them this week. THIS WEEK: 2/3 vs Tennessee, 2/5 @ Georgia
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