WBN SEC Basketball Power Rankings: 02-03-2013 Edition
By Wayne
Feb 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Derek Reese (3) looks to make a pass as Arkansas Razorbacks guard Rashad Madden (00) looks on during a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Tennessee 73-60. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
8. Tennessee Volunteers (11-9, 3-5) Last Week: W 58-57 vs. Vanderbilt, L 73-60 at Arkansas: Martin and Co. don’t have much to be down about this week. Sure they lost to Ole Miss but they managed to not blow it against Alabama. Look for Stokes to build on his season next week and McBee to tear through Vandy. This Week: February 6 vs. Georgia, February 10 at South Carolina
9. Georgia Bulldogs (10-11, 4-4) Last Week: W 57-49 vs. Auburn, W 67-56 at South Carolina: Georgia has some momentum after pulling off two straight SEC wins and that doesn’t look to stop this week as they likely will extend their 3 game win streak to 5. And if you want to know how they are winning, look no further than Kentavius Caldwell-Pope as the G is their leading scorer and rebounder. This Week: February 6 at Tennessee, February 9 vs. Texas A&M
10. South Carolina Gamecocks (12-9, 2-6) Last Week: L 75-36 at Florida, L 67-56 vs. Georgia: So much for momentum. They were embarrassed at Florida and then to drop a home game to Georgia had to set Martin over the edge. Let’s face it, South Carolina doesn’t have much on either side of the ball and though this was a bit unexpected, it really shouldn’t have been. Martin’s crew has a chance to split this week but it rests with TN. This Week: February 5 at Kentucky, February 10 vs. Tennessee
11. Auburn Tigers (8-13, 2-6) Last Week: L 73-61 at Vanderbilt, L 91-77 at #17 Mizzou: It helps to be competitive and they are not. They don’t have the weapons to put anyone to a test. What they lack is a PG who’s pass first. Wallace is their leading assist man and that’s only at 3.2 pg. That’s not going to cut it on a team without much individual offensive creativity. This Week: February 6 vs. Alabama, February 9 at Kentucky
12. LSU Tigers (12-7, 3-5) Last Week: W 73-70 vs. #17 Missouri, W 69-68 at Mississippi State University: Oddly enough, MSU isn’t the worst SEC team though it wouldn’t appear so based on their record. After coming up with huge wins against #17 Mizzou and MSU, it’s pretty clear they are now trending the right way. It’s astonishing the success they’re having because they have little depth anywhere on the court and their leading scorer, Fred Thomas, only averages 10.5 ppg. Defense is their trademark and they better never forget it or they will be in a world of hurt. This Week: February 6 vs. Vanderbilt, February 9 at Alabama
13. Vanderbilt (8-12, 2-6) Last Week: L 58-57 at Tennessee, L 58-54 vs. Alabama: Stallings is the king of losing close games. Dropping to TN and Bama in the same week is inexcusable but Stallings is the king of those too so it works for the nerds. This Week: February 6 at LSU, February 9, vs. Arkansas
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-13, 2-6) Last Week: L 55-49 vs. Texas A&M, L 69-68 vs. LSU: An anemic offense will kill every time. Two road games against two of the SEC’s best will be the coffin nails for these Bulldogs. This Week: February 6 at #16 Ole Miss, February 9 at #4 Florida