The South: After posting an impressive 6-4 record in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, the Southeastern Conference has made a statement that they are here to stay this season and they are not backing down. The SEC has proved itself this season, and with that these power rankings change from week to week. One thing is for certain - each and every week in the SEC is war and will continue to be such until St. Louis. With teams like Auburn, Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee, the SEC is set to make noise in March. We might even see a team cut down the nets in early April. Without further ado here are the latest SEC power rankings:
Auburn- (19-2, 7-1) – The Auburn Tigers are looking to be one of the toughest teams in the conference. Coming off back to back wins this past week and climbing all the way to number 11, the Tigers sit alone at number one in this weeks Power Rankings. This week for the Tigers will be interesting as they head to Ole Miss on Tuesday night and back home to face Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Florida- (15-6, 6-2) – Coming off a split week, the Florida Gators are hot off a 21 point blow out over Baylor. The Gators look to carry that momentum into this week as they will face a tough road challenge at Georgia Tuesday night, and a home game against Alabama on Saturday.
Tennessee- (15-5, 5-3) – The Volunteers continue to impress people across the country with their bully ball type of basketball. The Volunteers are riding a three-game winning steak heading into this week’s match-ups against LSU Wednesday night, and home again Saturday to face Ole Miss.
Kentucky- (16-5, 5-3) – The Wildcats are fresh off an incredible week capped off with an impressive seven-point road win at West Virginia. After losing two straight, the Wildcats look poised. They look to keep that consistency this week with Vanderbilt Tuesday night at home, and back on the road Saturday against a scary Missouri team. The young Wildcats look poised and up for the fight. It will be interesting to see Calipari and company continue this momentum into this week
Alabama- (14-7, 5-3) – The Crimson Tide are coming into this week trying to find consistency after a huge seven-point win over Trae Young and the Oklahoma Sooners. Alabama will have an interesting week with a home game Wednesday night against Missouri, and back on the road Saturday to face the Florida Gators.
Arkansas- (15-6, 4-4)- The Razorbacks - much like the rest of the SEC - are looking to carry momentum into this week riding a three-game winning streak. All the games they won were within one possession. The Hogs will face a challenging week with two roads games this week starting with at Texas A&M on Tuesday, and LSU on Saturday.
Ole Miss- (11-10, 4-4) – The Rebels are looking for an identity still. With wins over Alabama and Florida the Rebels show promise, but have struggled finishing games. This week for the Rebels will be a bit of challenge with Auburn coming to Oxford on Tuesday, and traveling to Knoxville to face the Volunteers on Saturday.
South Carolina- (13-8, 4-4) – The Gamecocks early loss to Ole Miss has kept the Gamecocks at the eight spot this week, despite showing great promise in the last week or so. The Gamecocks will look to continue momentum and climb into Bubble talk this week. They have two interesting games starting Wednesday night with Mississippi State coming to town, and on the road at Texas A&M on Saturday.
Missouri- (13-8, 3-5) – The Tigers have been a very confusing team this year with the lack of a true identity. They look to change that this week with two difficult games starting with a road game Wednesday night at Alabama, and back home to face the young Wildcats on Saturday.
Mississippi State- (15-6, 3-5) – Much like Texas A&M the Bulldogs started the season strong but have struggled within SEC play. The Bulldogs got a big home win Saturday as they defeated Missouri by 12. Mississippi State will have an interesting week as they travel to South Carolina on Wednesday and back home to host Georgia on Saturday.
LSU- (12-8, 3-5) – The Tigers have shown promise and are likely on the way up even possibly into the NCAA Tournament talk. The Tigers will travel Knoxville on Wednesday night to face Tennessee and back home Saturday to face arch rival Arkansas. If the Tigers can go 2-0 this week that would be huge for the Tigers hopes of the NCAA Tournament.
Georgia- (12-8, 3-5) – Georgia - much like LSU- is looking for an identity. They have had several one possession losses this season. Georgia looks to change that this week as they host Florida on on Tuesday and on the road Saturday at Mississippi State.
Vanderbilt- (8-13, 2-6) – Vanderbilt has shown promise with wins over LSU and TCU in the last few weeks. Bryce Drew and company are showing fight despite the record. The Commodores will have a tough week as they will face a road game at Kentucky Tuesday night, and at Auburn on Saturday.
Texas A&M- (13-8, 2-6)- The Aggies have struggled in conference play despite climbing all the way into the top five on early December. Texas A&M has the talent to compete, but have yet to find their own identity as a team. The Aggies can change all of that with two home games starting with Arkansas on Tuesday night, and South Carolina on Saturday.
As we enter into another week in SEC play, one thing is for certain: the amount of drama will be endless as the grind of the SEC gets into full swing. The SEC is deep and will continue to get deeper throughout this season heading into the SEC tournament in March.
Mitch Davis SEC beat writer Twitter- @mitchdavis_8