College Basketball: SEC Week 2 Power Rankings
College Basketball: SEC Week 2 Power Rankings
Conference play is really the do-or-die scenario in college basketball. It’s possible to play poorly in non-conference play and make the NCAA Tournament, it’s possible to go undefeated in non-conference play and miss out on the NCAA Tournament and it’s even possible to lose every game in non-conference play and make it to the NCAA Tournament. And it's all because of conference play.
The SEC is a perfect example of these possible scenarios. In preseason, there were about six teams expected to have a major push to make it to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Now, two games into conference play, there are around 10 teams with the record and future schedule to make a push towards the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
We knew the SEC was going to be competitive, but in just two games it’s proven to be far more crazy than anticipated. So far, the team picked in the preseason media poll to finish 13th has defeated one of the nationally ranked favorites to win the conference, the team with the easiest non-conference schedule is 2-0 against tough opposition and a certain team from Mississippi with a certain crazy returning leading scorer can actually win games with him being suspended.
However, the outlook of the current SEC is going to change drastically moving forward. Things will even change a lot over the next week as there are some crucial match-ups between the top SEC teams, but here are the top 10 SEC power rankings going into the second week of conference play.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
10. Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels are 1-1 in SEC play without Marshall Henderson. Don’t worry Ole Miss fans; his suspension is over.
9. LSU Tigers
The Tigers were absolutely dominated by the Tennessee Volunteers in their opening game and then scraped past South Carolina on the road. LSU has to get it together soon.
8. Missouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers may have had their poor non-conference schedule catch up with them. They may be one of the best scoring offenses in college basketball, but a loss to Georgia and near loss to Auburn does not bode well for the rest of SEC play.
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State led for a majority of the game against Kentucky only to be dominated in the second-half. They then got a big win over the Ole Miss Rebels, and with one or two more upsets the Bulldogs could sneak into the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
6. Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas was unlucky to not defeat the Florida Gators at home, but they get a chance at Kentucky next. The Razorbacks are a borderline tournament team, but they need a marquee win.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
How can you have a bigger collapse in the second half than Tennessee did against Texas A&M? The Vols crushed the LSU Tigers and then were going to blow out the Aggies only to fall asleep. Tennessee should be 2-0 in SEC play, but unfortunately should be doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament.
4. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies were lucky to beat Tennessee. However, wins against potential 2014 NCAA Tournament teams like Arkansas and the Volunteers make their 11-4 record look much better going forward.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Is there a bigger surprise in college basketball than the Georgia Bulldogs? After upsetting the No. 21 Missouri Tigers they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide. Their difficult schedule doesn’t get any easier with Florida next. Can their dream start to SEC play continue?
2. Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats are 2-0 after facing two rather difficult SEC opponents. Their next opponents, Arkansas, are nearly unbeatable at home, and Kentucky will not have it easy against the Razorbacks.
1. Florida Gators
The Gators fought back to win over the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville which is something that no team has done in a long time. Florida showed toughness that I didn’t think they had. Expect big things from the Gators as next up are the upset-minded Georgia Bulldogs.
