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Kentucky takes a tumble in SEC power rankings and standings after Arkansas loss

The SEC is a dominant conference, and Kentucky is just .500. How far did this loss cause the Cats to tumble?
ByDrew Holbrook|
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) got air for this reverse lay-up as he scored a team high 21 points as he helped lead the Razorbacks to a 89-79 win over No.12 Kentucky Saturday Feb. 1, 2025 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) got air for this reverse lay-up as he scored a team high 21 points as he helped lead the Razorbacks to a 89-79 win over No.12 Kentucky Saturday Feb. 1, 2025 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. | Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With the SEC basketball season now in full swing, the conference race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. Auburn remains the clear front-runner, boasting an impressive 20-1 record and a perfect 8-0 start in league play. Meanwhile, Alabama is hot on their heels, and Missouri is quietly climbing the standings. But for teams like Kentucky and Arkansas, inconsistency has raised major concerns as the schedule toughens down the stretch.

This past weekend saw plenty of drama, big wins, and shocking upsets. Let’s break it all down, starting with the latest SEC Standings:

Updated SEC Standings (As of February 2, 2025)

  1. Auburn (8-0, 20-1) – Rolling with 13 straight wins, looking unstoppable.
  2. Alabama (8-1, 19-3) – Averaging 90+ PPG, offense clicking at the right time.
  3. Missouri (6-2, 17-4) – Undefeated at home and gaining steam.
  4. Texas A&M (6-3, 17-5) – Wade Taylor IV leading the charge, two straight wins.
  5. Florida (5-3, 18-3) – Tough loss to Tennessee, but still a dangerous squad.
  6. Tennessee (5-4, 18-4) – Bounced back with a dominant win over Florida.
  7. Ole Miss (5-4, 16-6) – Solid team but struggled to slow down Auburn.
  8. Vanderbilt (4-4, 16-5) – Lost a tough one to Oklahoma but still competitive.
  9. Kentucky (4-4, 15-6) – Struggling defensively, must regroup fast.
  10. Mississippi State (4-5, 16-6) – Took a beating against Missouri.
  11. Texas (4-5, 15-7) – Handled LSU but needs more consistency.
  12. Oklahoma (3-5, 16-5) – Big win over Vanderbilt keeps them in the hunt.
  13. Georgia (3-6, 15-7) – Ran into the Alabama buzzsaw.
  14. Arkansas (2-6, 13-8) – Surprise win over Kentucky breathes life into their season.
  15. LSU (1-7, 12-9) – Lost four straight and fading fast.
  16. South Carolina (0-9, 10-12) – Still looking for that first SEC win.

Weekend Recap: Big Wins and Bigger Statements

This weekend delivered some jaw-dropping moments, none bigger than Arkansas’ shocking 89-79 upset of Kentucky in Lexington. The Wildcats, already dealing with injuries and defensive struggles, allowed the Razorbacks—who were just 1-6 in SEC play—to control the game from start to finish. Despite 22 points from Amari Williams, Kentucky looked lost on both ends, leaving fans frustrated and searching for answers.

Elsewhere, Auburn continued their dominance with a 92-82 win over Ole Miss, powered by Johni Broome’s 20-point, 12-rebound performance. Auburn's depth and balanced scoring make them a nightmare matchup for any opponent.

Meanwhile, Tennessee got back on track with a 64-44 blowout over Florida, flexing their defensive muscle after back-to-back disappointing performances. Chaz Lanier led the Vols with 19 points in the statement win.

Other notable results:

  • Missouri 88, Mississippi State 61 – Caleb Grill caught fire for 20 points.
  • Alabama 90, Georgia 69 – Mark Sears continues to play at an All-SEC level.
  • Texas A&M 76, South Carolina 72 – Wade Taylor IV’s 25 points helped avoid an upset.
  • Texas 89, LSU 58 – The Longhorns ran away in the second half.
  • Oklahoma 97, Vanderbilt 67 – A second-half explosion sealed the deal.

Power Rankings: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?

  1. Auburn – Best team in the league, no debate.
  2. Alabama – Offense remains elite, but defense can be shaky.
  3. Missouri – Sneaky good and dangerous at home.
  4. Texas A&M – Finding their rhythm at the right time.
  5. Tennessee – Defense wins championships, but can they score enough?
  6. Florida – Still a contender despite the loss.
  7. Ole Miss – Competing, but Auburn showed their flaws.
  8. Oklahoma – A team no one wants to face right now.
  9. Vanderbilt – Tough loss, but still a tournament-caliber squad.
  10. Texas – Capable of beating anyone, but too inconsistent.
  11. Mississippi State – Blown out this weekend, need a bounce-back.
  12. Arkansas – Huge win over Kentucky moves them up.
  13. Kentucky – Talent is there, but where’s the defensive improvement?
  14. Georgia – Crushed by Alabama, struggling to keep up.
  15. LSU – Just not their year.
  16. South Carolina – The only team without a conference win.

What’s Next?

The SEC race is heating up, and with plenty of games left, teams still have time to climb or collapse. Auburn and Alabama look like the favorites to battle for the regular-season crown, but Missouri and Texas A&M are lurking.

For Kentucky, the next few games could define their season. Can they turn things around before it’s too late? Fans are growing restless, and with tough matchups ahead, Coach Mark Pope will need to make adjustments fast.

Stay tuned—this SEC season is far from over.

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