IN THE FIRST SEC BASKETBALL POWER POLL OF THE SEASON, THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL BEAT WRITER BROWNING STUBBS RANKS THE 14 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS SO FAR IN PRE-CONFERENCE PLAY THIS SEASON.
9. South Carolina (4-3), RPI: 120
The Gamecocks are expected to contend in the SEC this season, but they’re not getting off on the right foot with three early losses to Charlotte, Baylor and Akron all by a combined 11 points. Frank Martin’s tough coaching will propel his team higher than No. 9 later in the season.
10. Texas A&M (4-1), RPI: 147
When you get this low in the rankings, usually it does not bode well for you. However, the Aggies only have one loss which came to Dayton by two points. Texas A&M hasn’t beaten anyone particularly great, but they’ll have chances against several quality teams later in the month.
11. LSU (5-2), RPI: 85
Many expected LSU to be a borderline top 25 team this year, but they got off on the wrong note with losses to Old Dominion and Clemson. The Tigers will have a grand opportunity to move up in the rankings tonight as they’ll take on No. 16 West Virginia.
12. Tennessee (2-3), RPI: 202
This may be a rebuilding year for the Volunteers after losing former head coach Cuonzo Martin to California in the offseason and power forward Jarnell Stokes to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Volunteers haven’t broken through in any game this season as they weren’t particularly close in any of their three losses against VCU, Kansas or Marquette. Expect this team to get better as the season goes on.
13. Missouri (4-3), RPI: 137
The new-look Tigers haven’t generated much success on the hardwood as one of their three losses came against The University of Missouri-Kansas City. After getting blown out by Arizona and Purdue, this team is going nowhere as of now.
14. Auburn (3-2) RPI: 144
And lastly, the Auburn Tigers end my power rankings as the most disappointing team in the SEC so far this season. Many experts predicted Auburn to contend for an NCAA Tournament spot, and they’ve done just the opposite so far. Only scoring 35 points against former Mizzou head coach Frank Haith’s Tulsa Golden Hurricane pretty much says it all as to why Auburn comes in last at No. 14. Oh, and a 31 point loss to Colorado doesn’t help either.
