Is this year’s SEC the single-best college basketball conference in the history of the sport?
Joe Lunardi’s recent Bracketology for ESPN projects 13 members of the league to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. That would break the record of 11 set by the Big East in 2011.
It was another dominant week for the league, but no team has risen more in these rankings than Oklahoma since the start of the year. The Sooners are now No. 6 after beginning the season 12th.
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Here is the full list, with the rankings and records based on games through Thursday, Dec. 19.
1. Auburn
It doesn’t sound like Johni Broome is going to play against Purdue this weekend, which is just another opportunity for a loud Tigers’ statement.
Last week: 1
Record: 10-1
2. Tennessee
Zakai Ziegler and Chaz Lanier fouled out and the Vols still won a true road game at Illinois. Impressive stuff.
Last week: 2
Record: 11-0
3. Kentucky
The coaches and players may change, but Kentucky owning Louisville does not. Lamont Butler played the hero role this time for the Wildcats.
Last week: 3
Record: 10-1
4. Alabama
Grant Nelson’s homecoming turned into a proper scare from North Dakota. Something is off with the Crimson Tide’s defense.
Last week: 4
Record: 9-2
5. Florida
The Gators might have the most complimentary trio of guards in America, and they all played terrific in a win over North Carolina.
Last week: 5
Record: 11-0
6. Oklahoma
Jeremiah Fears snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Michigan to keep Porter Moser’s surprise squad unbeaten.
Last week: 8
Record: 11-0
7. Ole Miss
Chris Beard is starting to see his defense reach peak form with SEC play just a couple weeks away.
Last week: 6
Record: 10-1
8. Texas A&M
Purdue losing in the state of Indiana is unheard of, but the Aggies controlled the game from start-to-finish.
Last week: 9
Record: 9-2
9. Arkansas
From projected lottery pick to sixth-man, Trevon Brazile is a great example of this team’s ridiculous talent.
Last week: 10
Record: 9-2
10. Mississippi State
Dropping the Bulldogs three spots is harsh, but those are the margins in this league after a far-too narrow win over McNeese State.
Last week: 7
Record: 10-1
11. Missouri
The Tigers have no shortage of game-winners on the roster, and they’ll go for another big rivalry win against Illinois later this week.
Last week: 11
Record: 10-1
12. Texas
We’re still waiting for the Longhorns to prove their worth against a top team.
Last week: 12
Record: 10-2
13. Georgia
The Bulldogs survived against Grand Canyon, but they’re about to add a key piece back from injury.
Last week: 13
Record: 10-1
14. Vanderbilt
The Commodores rank 35th in KenPom’s offensive adjusted efficiency metric, which is staggering improvement after last year’s team was 198th.
Last week: 15
Record: 10-1
15. LSU
Unlike most of their league rivals, the Tigers actually lost a game this week. A true shock for the SEC.
Last week: 14
Record: 9-2
16. South Carolina
The Gamecocks continue to improve and have a signature win over in-state Clemson. Still, the three losses are more than anyone else in the conference.
Last week: 16
Record: 8-3