In this week’s installment, The Daily Mississippian’s sports editor David Collier ranks the 14 Southeastern Conference teams. Opponents, game times and television networks are also included for the next game for each team.
1. Florida (15-2, 5-0 SEC)
The Gators are the class of the league this year, and no one has shown they have the ability to slow them down. Florida has to be the favorite to win the SEC.
Up Next: Saturday at Mississippi State, 7 p.m., ESPN2
2. Ole Miss (15-2, 4-0 SEC)
The Rebels are off to their best start in conference play in 76 years, and this may be the year Andy Kennedy gets his squad over the NCAA Tournament hump.
Up Next: Tonight vs. Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPN2
3. Missouri (14-4, 3-2 SEC)
The Tigers had a tough game Tuesday in a 71-65 win over South Carolina, but when leading scorer Laurence Bowers returns, Missouri will be tough to beat.
Up Next: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt, 4 p.m., ESPNU
4. Alabama (12-6, 4-1 SEC)
The Crimson Tide have certainly turned things around lately, and if they continue that success, they will begin hearing their name on the right side of the bubble.
Up Next: Saturday at Tennessee, 1 p.m., ESPN2
5. Kentucky (12-6, 3-2 SEC)
There are a lot of question marks for John Calipari’s young squad. The Wildcats have an abundance of talent, but they’ve failed to gel so far this season.
Up Next: Saturday vs. LSU, 3 p.m., SEC Network
6. Arkansas (12-6, 3-2 SEC)
In year two under Mike Anderson, the Razorbacks have shown improvement. However, their inability to win on the road continues to hinder them.
Up Next: Saturday at South Carolina, 12:30 p.m., SEC Network
7. Tennessee (9-7, 1-3 SEC)
After a tough early start in the SEC, Tennessee finally got in the win column against Mississippi State last weekend, and it hopes to continue that momentum tonight.
Up Next: Tonight at Ole Miss, 6 p.m., ESPN2
8. Texas A&M (12-6, 2-3 SEC)
The Aggies began their first year in the SEC with two wins, including a victory in Rupp Arena, but have since dropped three straight contests.
Up Next: Saturday vs. Georgia, 5 p.m., FSN
9. Vanderbilt (8-9, 2-3 SEC)
The Commodores have had some shooting woes early in conference play that have limited their opportunities to win some games despite the young talent they have.
Up Next: Saturday at Missouri, 4 p.m., ESPNU
10. Auburn (8-10, 2-3 SEC)
The Tigers began SEC play 2-0, but that was thanks to an easy early schedule. Since then, Auburn hasn’t been quite the same team.
Up Next: Saturday vs. Ole Miss, 7 p.m., FSN
11. South Carolina (11-7, 1-4 SEC)
In Frank Martin’s first year at the helm, South Carolina has looked competitive at times, including a close loss at Missouri. However, they still have a ways to go.
Up Next: Saturday vs. Arkansas, 12:30 p.m., SEC Network
12. Mississippi State (7-10, 2-3 SEC)
The Bulldogs started SEC play 2-0, but three blowout losses in a row have Mississippi State feeling the effects of a limited bench.
Up Next: Saturday vs. Florida, 7 p.m., ESPN2
13. Georgia (7-11, 1-4 SEC)
Georgia has one of the best one-on-one players in the league in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but the Bulldogs haven’t been good in the early conference schedule.
Up Next: Saturday at Texas A&M, 5 p.m., FSN
14. LSU (10-6, 1-4 SEC)
The Tigers played well in most of the nonconference schedule. However, the start of SEC play has been awful for LSU, which has yet to get a win in league play.
Up Next: Saturday at Kentucky, 3 p.m., SEC Network
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss basketball, follow @thedm_sports and @DavidLCollier on Twitter.
