The SEC is an absolute meat grinder this year, and teams are just beating up on each other. With just a few weeks left until the conference tournament, the middle of the pack is a complete logjam, and the top of the standings might be deceiving.
If you just look at the raw win-loss records, Florida is sitting on the throne. But if you look at how these teams are actually constructed and how they match up in March, a different powerhouse takes the crown this week.
Here are our official SEC Power Rankings for the middle of February
1. Arkansas Razorbacks (19-6, 9-3)
Yes, Florida has a slightly better conference record, but the Hogs are playing the best basketball in the league right now. They just avenged a loss to Auburn by completely dismantling them 88-75, thanks to Darius Acuff Jr. dropping 31 points and Billy Richmond III adding a career-high 25. John Calipari's squad has won three straight, and their offense is incredibly balanced. They are the team to beat.
2. Florida Gators (19-6, 10-2)
Todd Golden and Florida are sitting in first place, but they have a fatal flaw that will cost them in March: they cannot shoot the basketball. Outside of Urban Klavzar, who has been an absolute lifesaver for them off the bench. This team is a bricklayer's union from deep. Kentucky handed them a massive cushion this weekend, and the Gators still barely survived. If a team can lock down Klavzar on the perimeter, Florida is incredibly vulnerable.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (18-7, 8-4)
The Tide are scorching hot, riding a four-game win streak after taking care of business against South Carolina. Nate Oats has this offense humming at exactly the right time of year, even without Charles Bediako.
4. Vanderbilt Commodores (21-4, 8-4)
We keep waiting for the Commodores to cool off; outside of a little lull, they just refuse to do it. Sitting at 21-4 overall after beating Texas A&M, they have proven they are absolutely for real and will be a team to watch come March.
5. Kentucky Wildcats (17-8, 8-4)
We all saw what happened in Gainesville. Kentucky beat itself with 14 careless turnovers and incredibly poor shot selection down the stretch. But even with Malachi Moreno sitting in foul trouble and our guards playing hero ball, we still took the first-place team down to the wire on their home court. If Mark Pope can get this team to value the basketball, we can beat anyone ranked above us on this list.
6. Tennessee Volunteers (18-7, 8-4)
It is never pretty, but it is incredibly effective. The Vols completely suffocated LSU on the road this weekend in a classic, bruising Tennessee victory. Rick Barnes was smiling after that one.
7. Texas Longhorns (16-9, 7-5)
Do not look now, but Texas has quietly ripped off four straight SEC wins. Sean Miller is working his magic down in Austin. They comfortably handled Missouri this weekend and are finally finding their rhythm. Could be a team to watch to make a Cinderella-type run with Dailyn Swain.
8. Missouri Tigers (17-8, 7-5)
The Tigers had a tough week, dropping a road game to Texas. They are a solid basketball team, but they feel like they are floating in no-man's land between the true contenders and the basement. It really is a good win for them when they knocked off Kentucky in Jayden Quaintance's last game with the Cats.
9. Texas A&M Aggies (17-8, 7-5)
The Aggies are in a total tailspin. Losing to Vandy extended their losing streak to four games. What once looked like the top team in the SEC now looks like they may slide all the way to the bubble. Bucky Ball may be getting figured out.
10. Georgia Bulldogs (17-8, 5-7)
Losing a bad game to an Oklahoma team that has struggled all year is a massive red flag for the Bulldogs. Mike White is one of those guys who is just good enough every year. Will they come into Rupp and grab a win on Tuesday?
11. Auburn Tigers (14-11, 5-7)
Steven Pearl's squad is cratering after showing signs of life. They have lost four straight games, and giving up 88 points to Arkansas this weekend exposed just how bad their defense has gotten. At 14-11 overall, the panic button has been officially pressed in the 1st year of the new Pearl.
12. Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-13, 4-8)
Josh Hubbard dropping 32 points in a win over Ole Miss is one of the few bright spots in what has been a deeply frustrating season in Starkville. Chris Jans will have some work to do in the offseason, but at least they beat Ole Miss.
13. Oklahoma Sooners (13-12, 3-9)
This is not a real 13-12 team. They are a much better team than that; ask anyone who has played them. Seeing them get a big win against Georgia means they could make a little run late in the season. They have the talent to do so.
14. Ole Miss Rebels (11-14, 3-9)
A total freefall. Seven straight losses. The wheels have completely fallen off the wagon in Oxford. Chris Beard may fall on his sword, and Travis Perry probably wishes he were still in Lexington. Nothing really positive is happening right now for the Rebels.
15. LSU Tigers (14-11, 2-10)
Three straight losses, capped off by getting completely locked up by Tennessee at home. Dedan Thomas is done for the year, and that may be all she wrote for Matt McMahon. It's possible that the Brian Kelly buyout buys him another year, but it has been a disappointment.
16. South Carolina Gamecocks (11-14, 2-10)
They have lost six in a row and are firmly anchored to the cellar of the SEC. I do think they are clearly the worst team in the SEC right now heading into the final 3 weeks of the regular season.