We're into the Month of February and the SEC Basketball season is flying by with the SEC Tournament right around the corner. The standings are setting a clear divide as Alabama and Auburn appear set to play for the SEC Regular Season Championship while teams like LSU and South Carolina are dying for a win. As we head into the month of February, here is how we Power Rank the Basketball teams in the SEC.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Another week has come and gone and the South Carolina Gamecocks are still without a win in SEC Play. This week saw South Carolina fall short against Georgia and almost eek out a win against Texas A&M. The issue for South Carolina is that a win may not be in the near future as the next three games are against Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Florida.
LSU Tigers
The LSU Basketball team had a solid start to the week playing a hard fought game with Auburn but, they ended the week with one of the worst losses of the Matt McMahon era against Texas. The Tigers don't have the top end talent to win in the SEC but, for the most part it's not the talent that's holding the Tigers back. The Tigers continue to turn the ball over at a ridiculous rate and until they stop costing themselves games they'll continue to struggle immensely.
Georgia Bulldogs
After a solid start to the year and a solid start to SEC Play, the Georgia Bulldogs are falling off quite a bit down the stretch. Over the last six games, the Bulldogs are just 1-5 with a win over South Carolina. This week brings LSU and Mississippi State which are two games the Bulldogs can win and need to win to get back in the right direction.
Arkansas Razorbacks
What a win for John Calipari and the Razorbacks going to Rupp Arena and knocking off the Wildcats in one of the toughest environments you'll see all year and maybe ever. For the first time in SEC Play, it looked like Arkansas clicked and now with all the positive momentum, this team could start rolling. The Razorbacks have put themselves back into the NCAA Tournament race and a few more wins down the stretch would be massive.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners split this week losing to Mississippi State before demolishing Vanderbilt in an impressive win. This next stretch for the Sooners will be telling as they'll face Auburn, Tennessee, and Missouri as it could either make or break this season. Jalon Moore is one of the best scorers in the Country and if he can elevate his game against some of the top teams in the Conference then the Sooners could shock many and work their way back up the Conference standings.
Texas Longhorns
This week was a split for the Texas Longhorns losing to Ole Miss in a one possesion game before blowing the doors off of LSU. The LSU game showed what this team can be when everything clicks as the Longhorns caught fire from three and dominated the glass. Freshman Tre Johnson is one of the top players in the Country and they'll go as far as he can take them.
Ole Miss Rebels
This week was overall pretty positive for the Ole Miss Rebels who beat Texas but, also lost to Auburn. This next stretch for Ole Miss is where they need to go on a run as they face a vulnerable Kentucky team followed by LSU and South Carolina. Chris Beard has an NCAA Tournament team but, Ole Miss needs to get their wins now as the end of the SEC slate is a gauntlet.
Vanderbilt Commodores
This week, Vanderbilt played just once but, got the Commodores got blown out by the Oklahoma Sooners. This season has exceeded all expectations but, the Commodores now find themselves in the NCAA Tournament picture. This week the Commodores play Florida and Texas and a win would mean a ton for this team as Postseason play is around the corner.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
For Mississippi State losing twice this week definitely stings yet it's hard to blame a team for losing to Alabama and Missouri two teams that may be Top 10 teams. The Alabama game was a positive as the Bulldogs were a few bounces from winning the game while the Missouri blowout raises concerns. This week the Bulldogs only face Georgia which should be a game where Mississippi gets the season and the defense back on track.
Kentucky Wildcats
This week saw Kentucky pick up their biggest win of the season picking up a win over Tennessee yet, they lost a highly emotional game as John Calipari returned that they should've won. The Wildcats have now lost 3 of their last 4 which has the Kentucky fans hoping to find some consistency. The biggest positive of the week is that Kentucky's offense clicked against a great Tennessee defense, and it wasn't the reason they lost to Tennessee.
Texas A&M Aggies
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators had all week to get ready for Tennessee who they beat by 30 earlier this year and they were decimated by injuries yet, they lost by 20. Walter Clayton did miss time in the game with an injury which is a concern for Florida this week but, the Gators could get back on track. This week Florida faces Vanderbilt and Auburn which could either put them right back into the race for the SEC or sink their hopes.
Missouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers are no longer the scrappy underdog and they're now emerging as a true contender in the SEC. This week saw Missouri dominate Mississippi State on the road picking up another massive win. Caleb Grill is quietly becoming the best shooter in the Country as he's been on fire from three shooting 49%. This team has already faced Auburn and their schedule the rest of the way is manageable enough that they could go from being projected to finish in the bottom of the league to SEC Regular Season champions.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers lost early in the Week to Kentucky and then went back home against Florida decimated by injuries yet, they demolished the Florida Gators. The main goal for this Tennessee team is getting healthy down the stretch as this is a team capable of winning the SEC Tournament and making a deep run in March but, their four conference losses likely keeps them out of the race for the Regular Season Crown.
Alabama Crimson Tide
This week saw Alabama play two different games, a tight game with Mississippi State and a blowout over Georgia. The team reacted well to the message Nate Oats sent last week benching Mark Sears and it may be the key to the year for the Tide. While everyone showers Mark Sears and Grant Nelson with praise, Mo Dioubate has played the gritty style Oats used to get from Herb Jones while Chris Youngblood is healthy and shining.
Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers remain perfect in SEC Play after struggling a bit against LSU before taking over and beating OIe Miss on the road by 10. Bruce Pearl's team continues to show at home or on the road they can take any team's best punch before taking over and snatching their opponents hopes. Everyone is starting two eye the two Iron Bowl's of Basketball as we may see those two matchups determine the SEC Regular Season Champion.