Alabama Basketball and rest of SEC heading into conference play

Tennessee Vols; 9-2

The Vols easily handled North Carolina, 83-72 on a neutral court. Their top win is the aforementioned victory over Arizona in Knoxville. Rick Barnes’ team does not have a bad loss. Villanova beat them 71-53 to qualify as the worst loss. They also lost 57-52 to Texas Tech in overtime.

Kentucky Wildcats; 9-2

John Calipari scheduled some creampuffs and that may have slowed his team’s development. A loss to Notre Dame in mid-December might have been a result. The Cats also lost their season-opener to Duke, 79-71 at a neutral site. The Cats’ best win was 98-69 over an unranked North Carolina team. Next up for the Cats is Missouri in Lexington.

Arkansas Razorbacks; 10-2

Like Kentucky and Auburn, the Hogs have played a lot of lightweights. One of them, Hofstra beat them 89-81. Their other loss was a 22-point defeat to the Oklahoma Sooners. Their best wins have come against Kansas State and Cincinnati. Next up for the Hogs is Mississippi State in Starkville.

Texas A&M Aggies; 9-2

The Aggies, coming off last season’s 8-10 record also scheduled several early wins. Their one good win was 73-67 over Notre Dame. Their worst loss was by 11 points to Wisconsin. TCU also beat the Aggies by four points at a neutral site. Next up for TAMU are two more ‘guaranteed’ wins against Dallas Christian and Central Arkansas.

Alabama Basketball Needs Quick SEC Start

Alabama Crimson Tide; 9-3

The Tide’s worst loss came early to Iona, 72-68. The Memphis loss was disappointing but should not have shocked anyone aware of the loaded Memphis roster. Losing to Davidson was also disappointing but does not qualify as a bad loss, on a technically neutral court.

Florida Gators; 9-3

Florida got a big win over Ohio State in November. They have two respectable losses to Oklahoma and Maryland. Also, the Gators have an atrocious 15-point loss to Texas Southern in Gainesville. Next up for Florida is Ole Miss in Oxford.

Mississippi State; 9-3

State’s worst loss was to Louisville, 72-58 on a neutral court. The Bulldogs have also lost to Minnesota, 81-76 at home and 66-63 to Colorado State. The Bullies’ best win was an overtime, 82-71 win over Richmond. Next up for Ben Howland’s team is Arkansas in Starkville.

South Carolina; 9-3

Coming off a 6-15 record from last season, the Gamecocks are the top ‘good’ surprise team in the SEC. The schedule has been light, with decent wins over UAB, Florida State and Wofford. Their worst loss is easily the 80-66 drubbing administered by Coastal Carolina. Next up for Frank Martin’s team is South Carolina State to get to 10 wins before hosting Auburn in early January.