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SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Where We are Now

By Ben Richardson

Jan 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies players including guard T.J. Distefano (33) react near the end of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Texas A&M defeated Georgia 79-45. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies players including guard T.J. Distefano (33) react near the end of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Texas A&M defeated Georgia 79-45. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

5.  Florida 12-6 (4-2)-  New Head Coach Mike White’s best move this year was securing KeVaughn Allen right after he found out he got the head coaching job at Florida.  Allen has shown flashes of brilliance, specifically in the Ole Miss game where he shot 9-11 overall and 6 of 7 from 3 point range.  3-point shooting is something the Gators are desperately missing.  The loss at Tennessee was a bad loss, and squeaking by Mississippi State in their last game has me questioning how much of a legitimate contender Florida will be by season’s end.

4.  LSU  11-7 (4-2)-  LSU and head coach Johnny Jones have to learn how to win.  They have the consensus number 1 overall pick in next year’s draft,

Jan 19, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Louisiana State Tigers forward center Elbert Robinson III looks for a shot against Texas A&M Aggies forwards D.J. Hogg (1) and Tavario Miller (42) during the first half at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Louisiana State Tigers forward center Elbert Robinson III looks for a shot against Texas A&M Aggies forwards D.J. Hogg (1) and Tavario Miller (42) during the first half at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

but have been unable to play dominating basketball.  They have an 18-point win over Kentucky, but they also have a 12-point loss to College of Charleston. Um, yeah.

3.  South Carolina 17-1 (4-1)-  Yes, I know.  South Carolina is 17-1.  I understand.  They do have impressive wins over Clemson and Vanderbilt.  But if that is the most impressive thing on your resume, then I have trouble fully buying in to South Carolina as a powerhouse.  Coach Frank Martin has done a wonderful job with this team, but I still don’t see them reaching 25 wins on the year.  At this point, that would be a huge disappointment.  Did I mention they lost by 23 points to offensively challenged Alabama?

2.  Kentucky 14-4 (4-2)-  Listening to the Gary Parrish Show in Memphis today, he said that Alex Poythress is the first scholarship player at Kentucky under head coach John Calipari to reach his senior year.  One could come to the conclusion that Poythress starting is a telling sign of the one and done class talent he got this year.  Skal Labissiere has been disappointing to say the least and 3 of their 4 losses (@Auburn, vs OSU (neutral court), and @LSU) are inexcusable to Big Blue Nation.  Their signature wins over Duke and Louisville are seeming less impressive as the season goes along as those teams continue to struggle.

1.  Texas A&M 16-2 (6-0)-  As I mentioned last week, head coach Billy Kennedy has a history of turning programs around.  Texas A&M has impressive wins over Texas, Baylor, Florida, and LSU.  Texas A&M moves the ball around the perimeter and ranks 6th overall in the nation in assists per game. They also have a stout defense to match their offense as they are t-32nd for defensive points allowed per game.  I believe in Texas A&M more than I believe in South Carolina.  The ability Texas A&M has to play as a team and Coach Billy Kennedy’s track record lands them the number 1 spot in our SEC Basketball Power Rankings.

More sec: Buy or Sell: Chad Kelly as a Heisman Candidate

The great thing about SEC basketball is that you are always on the edge of your seat.  Anybody can beat anybody in the league on any given day, and as a result, these SEC Basketball Power Rankings are sure to shuffle around weekly as the season moves along.

All stats and schedules taken from espn.com.

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