Kentucky- Like most John Calipari teams, this collection of young talent is beginning to figure things out in February. Facing a back court that contains the likes of Jamal Murray and Tyler Ulis does not sound particularly fun for opponents. Despite a loss at the buzzer to Texas A&M, we’ll likely look back on Selection Sunday and see that the Cats have improved their seeding over the last month of the season more than anyone. The Wildcats beat Alabama like a drum on Tuesday night and now have a 1.5 game lead for the conference title.
Texas A&M- I’m not entirely sure where this team went for two weeks, but they’re back now. A 2-0 record last week with wins over Ole Miss and Kentucky help set this team straight. I still think Kentucky is a more complete team, but these will be the two teams that make the most noise in March for the SEC.
South Carolina- This team lost to Missouri and then followed it up with a win over Florida this weekend. This lack of consistency can’t be good for Frank Martin’s already steaming high blood pressure, but this team can be pretty good when they decide to defend. I am not sure if there is enough offense on the floor for them to make a run in the NCAA tournament, but that remains to be seen.
Vanderbilt- The roller coaster ride continues for the Dores. A loss to Mississippi State had many calling for Kevin Stallings’ job, but was redeemed with a win over Georgia. Along with LSU, there isn’t a team in the country that has more to prove over the last two weeks of the season than Vanderbilt.
Florida- Two things are certain about this team: The young talent makes for a bright future, and Michael White will get the most out of his players. Florida lost a tough contest to Vanderbilt on Tuesday night, but the Gators are in the NCAA tournament right now and have the pieces to make a run
LSU- LSU lost its third-straight game to a not very good Arkansas team Tuesday night. Johnny Jones is bad, and is ruining talent. Ben Simmons, the number one overall pick in the upcoming 2016 NBA draft, will play in the NIT. God bless, Johnny Jones. It’s been real…bad.
Ole Miss- This team is as healthy as it has been in over a month, and Tomasz Gielo is finally blossoming into the player Andy Kennedy thought he would be. It might be too late, however, as the Rebels have too much ground to make up in too little time. If Stefan Moody gets hot in the SEC tournament, the Rebels could make things interesting.
Alabama- Avery Johnson has done an excellent job in his first year. The Tide is still in the NCAA tournament mix, largely due to a very weak bubble this year. The Crimson Tide need more quality wins, and getting mauled in Lexington on Tuesday night didn’t help.
Georgia- The Bulldogs are NIT bound in the most Mark Fox season ever. A 0-2 record last week killed any NCAA tournament chances Georgia had.
Arkansas- Arkansas stopped a three game skid with a home win over Missouri. Moses Kingsley is a solid player, but the supporting cast around him is not there. The Razorbacks beat Johnny Jones on Tuesday, but everyone is doing that lately.
Tennessee- Rick Barnes has this team playing good basketball late in the year and a .500 finish in the SEC is not out of the question.
Mississippi State- The Bulldogs took down two NCAA tournament bubble teams last week and Quinndary Weatherspoon had one heck of week. Things are starting to click in Starkville and Ben Howland is building a strong program
Auburn- Bruce Pearl has everyone in Auburn bought in, but injuries have decimated this team. With the recruiting class Pearl has signed, the Tigers could really surprise some people in the SEC next year.
Missouri- No one told this team that it needed to pack it in due to its postseason ban, but the Tigers fell short in Oxford on Tuesday night.
