The Daily Mississippian Men’s Basketball beat writer Browning Stubbs ranks the 14 Southeastern Conference Teams so far in pre-conference play this season.
1. Kentucky (8-0) – No surprise here as Kentucky has ranked first in the country since week one. The Wildcats did not receive a challenge in their two wins over Missouri and Alabama this past week. Although the schedule gets a little challenging this coming week, as Kentucky will travel to Florida Saturday, who they have struggled with in the past.
2. Texas A&M (6-2) – Plain and simple, Texas A&M stands alone in second place at 6-2 in the SEC, and that’s why they get the second spot. Outside of Kentucky, A&M is the hottest team in the SEC after winning their last six games. They’re on the road this week as they’ll play two away games against Ole Miss and Missouri.
3. Arkansas (5-3) – Even though they’re coming off a one-point loss to Florida in Gainesville, the Razorbacks still have enough talent and quality wins to warrant them the number three spot. Arkansas also knocked off an up-and-coming Tennessee team at home earlier in the week. The Hogs will have two home games against South Carolina and Mississippi State to climb the polls even higher next week.
4. Georgia (5-3) – The blowout loss at South Carolina is not appealing at all, but it truly was the only bad loss that Georgia has dropped in conference play. We’re about to see what Georgia is made of as they travel to Kentucky and host Tennessee this week.
5. LSU (5-3) – The Tigers were completely out of sync in their road loss to Mississippi State as the Bulldogs upset LSU 73-67. LSU will have a chance to get their groove back with two home games against Auburn and Alabama.
6. Ole Miss (5-3) – The Rebels are playing consistent basketball for the first time all season after defeating Mississippi State and Missouri this past week. Ole Miss is winning the games they’re supposed to win, and that’s encouraging at this point in the season. Ole Miss must get consistent play from senior Jarvis Summers and junior Stefan Moody if they want to defeat both Texas A&M and Auburn this week.
7. Florida (5-3) -The Gators won their last two games by a combined three points after wins over Alabama and Arkansas. Billy Donovan’s club has two big games this week if they want to get back in the tournament fold with a road game at Vanderbilt and a home game versus top ranked Kentucky.
8.Tennessee (5-3) – The Volunteers are surprising many fans in the SEC this season as not many experts predicted them to start 5-3 in the conference thus far. We’re going to see this young team get tested this week as they will battle Mississippi State and Georgia.
9. Mississippi State (3-5) – The Bulldogs nearly knocked off Ole Miss last week in a game where they led by 13 points. Despite the loss, they responded to LSU at home. Although having ups and downs, Mississippi State is playing good basketball right now. We’re going to see if this club can pick up wins on the road as they’ll travel to Tennessee and Arkansas this week.
10. Alabama (3-5) – The Crimson Tide dropped two games to Florida and Kentucky this week. Alabama had many chances against Florida but couldn’t close it out in the final minutes. Head coach Anthony Grant is on the hot seat and must get his team to play well this week against Missouri and LSU.
11. South Carolina (2-6) – The Gamecocks have disappointed this season, but a home win over Georgia has to feel good in Columbia. Frank Martin’s club need a year or two to develop, but needless to say, they’re on the rise in the SEC. South Carolina will have the chance to start a winning streak with road games against Arkansas and Vanderbilt this week.
12. Auburn (2-6) – Bruce Pearl’s team fought hard in their road loss to Tennessee over the weekend, but it wasn’t enough as the Vols made key plays down the stretch to gain the win. Auburn has now lost four in a row, and it doesn’t get any easier as they’ll play at LSU and home against Ole Miss this week.
13. Vanderbilt (1-7) – The Commodores are struggling losing seven straight games after starting 1-0 in SEC play. The Commodores were competitive in their losses to Georgia and Texas A&M this past week, yet they still can’t finish in crunch time. This young Dores team will have a chance to regain their confidence with home games against Florida and South Carolina this week.
14. Missouri (1-7) – The Tigers were in it midway through the first half against Ole Miss, but Stefan Moody’s electrifying tip slam dunk sealed the Tigers’ fate. Missouri will face Alabama and Texas A&M this week.
