This week was a mixed bag for Kentucky basketball. The Wildcats started SEC basketball play for the season, and opened things up with a huge win over the previously unbeaten Florida Gators. They were a top ten team at the time.
Their second conference game, unfortunately, didn’t go as well. The Cats traveled to Georgia, and a physical Bulldogs team slowed down Kentucky’s offense and handed them a tough loss.
The SEC as a whole had an interesting week. On the same night that Kentucky fell to Georgia, the Tennessee Volunteers dropped their first game of the year to the Gators. Each team has played two conference games, and already, only five teams have won both.
The power rankings are likely to change a lot from week to week in such a balanced conference. Here are how the teams of the SEC stack up this week, after two games played.
This week was a mixed bag for Kentucky basketball. The Wildcats started SEC basketball play for the season, and opened things up with a huge win over the previously unbeaten Florida Gators. They were a top ten team at the time.
Their second conference game, unfortunately, didn’t go as well. The Cats traveled to Georgia, and a physical Bulldogs team slowed down Kentucky’s offense and handed them a tough loss.
Related: Five takeaways from Kentucky’s loss to Georgia
The SEC as a whole had an interesting week. On the same night that Kentucky fell to Georgia, the Tennessee Volunteers dropped their first game of the year to the Gators. Each team has played two conference games, and already, only five teams have won both.
The power rankings are likely to change a lot from week to week in such a balanced conference. Here are how the teams of the SEC stack up this week, after two games played.
16. South Carolina Gamecocks
Overall record (SEC): 10 – 5 (0 – 2)
South Carolina played well out of the conference, but has dropped their first two SEC games, both in blowout fashion. It won’t get easier with Auburn up next.
15. LSU Tigers
Overall record (SEC): 11 – 4 (9 – 1)
The Tigers also stand at 0 – 2 in SEC play, and neither was to a ranked foe. It’s going to be tough to rebound and be a factor with the opponents only getting tougher.
14. Texas Longhorns
Overall record (SEC): 11 – 4 (0 – 2)
The Longhorns made a valiant effort against Auburn their last time out, but the end result is an 0 – 2 conference start. Tennessee stands ready to make that an even deeper hole.
13. Arkansas Razorbacks
Overall record (SEC): 11 – 4 (0 – 2)
Arkansas has plenty of talent, but is still figuring out how to put things together. They’re 0 – 2 in the SEC and Florida is up next, making an 0 – 3 start very possible.
12. Vanderbilt Commodores
Overall record (SEC): 13 – 2 (1 – 1)
Vanderbilt has surprised many with their play so far. They beat LSU to open SEC play, but lost to Mississippi State most recently, and didn’t play very well.
11. Missouri Tigers
Overall record (SEC): 12 – 3 (1 – 1)
Like Vanderbilt, Missouri got their SEC win against LSU, but lost to a quality team, in this case Auburn. Their January schedule is a fairly manageable one.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Overall record (SEC): 13 – 2 (0 – 2)
It has been a tough start to SEC play for the Sooners, who were undefeated out of the conference. They do have some much more winnable games coming up, though.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Overall record (SEC): 13 – 2 (2 – 0)
Ole Miss has taken advantage of their early schedule in conference play with wins over Georgia and Arkansas. They have a shot at 3 – 0 with LSU up next before they hit tougher foes.
8. Kentucky Wildcats
Overall record (SEC): 12 – 3 (1 – 1)
Will the real Wildcats please stand up? They have an offense capable of playing with anyone, but can’t continue getting pushed around by physical SEC teams.
7. Georgia Bulldogs
Overall record (SEC): 13 – 2 (1 – 1)
The Bulldogs win over Kentucky showed what they are capable of when they play well. They just need to play more consistently, and they can make some noise this year.
6. Florida Gators
Overall record (SEC): 14 – 1 (1 – 1)
The Gators shocked everyone by following a loss to Kentucky with a blowout win over top-ranked Tennessee. They’re going to be an interesting team to watch all year.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
Overall record (SEC): 14 – 1 (1 – 1)
It was an ugly loss for the Volunteers this week, but their first of the season. They’re deep and talented, and this feels more like a one-of-those-nights kinda games.
4. Mississippi State
Overall record (SEC): 14 – 1 (2 – 0)
Mississippi State hasn’t played the teams at the top of the SEC yet, so their game against Kentucky on Saturday will say a lot. They’re having a great start to the year, though.
3. Texas A&M Aggies
Overall record (SEC): 13 – 2 (2 – 0)
The Aggies will play Alabama on Saturday in one of the premiere matchups of the day. They’re currently on a nine game winning streak, and are physically dominating teams.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Overall record (SEC): 13 – 2 (2 – 0)
The Crimson Tide have won seven straight games, and look like the national title contender that most assumed they’d be. Their offense is hard to slow down.
1. Auburn Tigers
Overall record (SEC): 14 – 1 (2 – 0)
The Tigers might be the best team in college basketball right now. They’re deep and talented, and slowing them down will take a monumental effort.