The Daily Mississippian Men’s Basketball Sports Editor Dylan Rubino ranks the 14 Southeastern Conference teams so far this season.
1. Kentucky (10-0)- Another week on top for the undefeated Wildcats as they struggled at times against Georgia and Florida, but pulled away for two close wins last week. A trip to LSU Thursday night could be a tough test for the Wildcats. Kentucky also plays South Carolina at home Saturday.
2. Ole Miss (7-3)- Wins against Texas A&M and Auburn over the past week have vaulted the Rebels up to second place in the conference and 2nd in the power poll. Maybe the toughest week of the season awaits the Rebels as they Travel to Florida Thursday then play Arkansas at home Saturday.
3. Arkansas (7-3)- The Razorbacks have vaulted back into the AP top 25 with wins against South Carolina and Mississippi State last week. Talent across the roster and quality wins throughout the season have the Razorbacks poised for a good run in the tournament. Two games on the road for Arkansas this week as they travel to Auburn and Ole Miss.
4. Texas A&M (7-3)- The six-game winning-streak for the Aggies ended Wednesday night as they fell to Ole Miss 69-59. The Aggies would follow up with a win at Missouri Saturday 83-61. The Aggies are still poised to make the tournament, but can’t slip up as much. Texas A&M will face Georgia and Florida this week at home.
5. Georgia (6-4)- The Bulldogs gave everything they had against Kentucky, but couldn’t get it done as they lost by 11 on the road last Tuesday. They rebounded and picked up a quality win against Tennessee at home Saturday. We’ll know a lot about the Bulldogs as they travel to Texas A&M tomorrow night.
6. LSU (6-4)- LSU went 1-1 against the state of Alabama last week as they started off the week with a loss to Auburn then a win against Alabama all at home. The Tigers will face their toughest test of the season as Kentucky travels to Baton Rouge tonight.
7. Florida (5-5)- The upset of the season almost happened in Gainesville Saturday night, but Kentucky pulled away late to beat the Gators 68-61. Another opportunity awaits at home Thursday night as Ole Miss comes to town.
8. Tennessee (5-5)- After starting conference play as one of the surprise teams in the SEC, Tennessee has dropped four out of their last five with the only win coming against Auburn during that stretch. The young Volunteers face Vanderbilt on the road and LSU at home this week.
9. Alabama (4-6)- The Crimson Tide bounced back last week after going 0-2 the week before, but only came away with one win. Alabama can make up ground in the conference this week with winnable games Mississippi State on the road and Vanderbilt at home.
10. Mississippi State (4-6)- The Bulldogs followed up their upset win over LSU with another upset over Tennessee. The Bulldogs were then blown out by Arkansas on the road 61-41. Mississippi State will have a good chance to bounce back against Alabama and Missouri this week.
11. Auburn (3-7)- Auburn split their two games last week as they defeated LSU 81-77 then lost a close game at home to Ole Miss 86-79. Auburn was in position to pull off the upset against the Rebels, but lost the game down the stretch. The Tigers have a tough stretch this week with Arkansas and Georgia coming up.
12. Vanderbilt (3-7)- After losing seven conference games in a row, the Commodores have now rolled in two straight wins with victories over Florida and South Carolina last week. Vanderbilt can go for three in a row tomorrow at home against rival Tennessee.
13. South Carolina (2-8)- The Gamecocks have now lost six of their last seven games and are spiraling downward in the conference standings. South Carolina can get it back with playing Missouri at home tonight.
14. Missouri (1-9)- Another spot at the bottom of the power poll for Missouri. The Tigers have now lost nine conference games in a row after winning their first SEC game against LSU in January.
