SEC Basketball: Alabama, Mississippi State rise in latest 2022-23 power rankings
By Matt Melton
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous Ranking: 5
One of the biggest risers of the week is Alabama jumping three spots up to No. 2 coming off their impressive 6-1 start to the year. Led by freshman Brandon Miller at 19.6 PPG and 8.9 RPG on 48% shooting from three, the Crimson Tide’s lone loss came at the hands of UConn in the Phil Knight Invitational, a tournament in which Alabama also added big wins over both Michigan State and North Carolina.
Alabama’s schedule does not get any easier going forward either as the Crimson Tide will also host South Dakota State and Memphis in the non-conference, while also traveling to Houston, as well as take on Gonzaga in Birmingham. It feels likely that Alabama wins at-least three of those games, if not more, and enters SEC play as a potential Top 10 team.
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
Previous Ranking: 2
Taking over as the new No. 1 team in our SEC Basketball power rankings this week is Arkansas, who originally began the 2022-23 season at the No. 2 spot. A big reason for the Razorbacks move up is their impressive 6-1 start to the year that includes wins over teams such as San Diego State and South Dakota State, with their lone loss having come to Creighton 90-87 in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
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The Razorbacks are also only going to get better as freshman Nick Smith Jr gets back to full health as well, adding to what has already been an impressive start to the year from Ricky Council IV and Anthony Black in the Arkansas backcourt. The Razorbacks will also be favored in every matchup remaining on their non-conference slate, and could very easily enter SEC Basketball play still at the No. 1 spot.