Alabama Basketball: Keeping pace with Bama gets harder for SEC

In SEC Hoops, there is Alabama Basketball and two or more notches down is the rest of the SEC. Along with the Crimson Tide, only six other SEC teams have reasons for optimism. Three of the SEC’s seven down-trending teams are mired in miserable seasons.

In basketball, it is possible to peak late and have a good season. ‘Late’ comes earlier for some teams than others. It is past late for LSU and South Carolina, both now 1-10 in SEC play. The Bengal Tigers and the Gamecocks can only dream of some SEC Tournament magic. The same is true for Ole Miss, now 2-9 in SEC games.

As Vanderbilt showed Wednesday night in upsetting Tennessee, there is joy in being a spoiler team, especially when the spoiled is a biggest rival. Maybe the Dores, Rebels, Gamecocks and Bengal Tigers will gin up more spoiler wins, but the odds are against it.

Alabama Basketball and 4 more trending up

Actually, four of the five are trending up. Alabama Basketball is exploding. The Crimson Tide was already No. 1 as tracked by the KPI. After Wednesday night’s action, Ken Pomeroy’s algorithm bumped Alabama to No. 2.

At 21-3 and 11-0 in SEC play, the Crimson Tide has won three straight games and 12 of their last 13 games. In the Tide’s seven remaining SEC, regular-season games, four teams, Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas A&M will make taking down the Tide their most important, late, regular-season task.

Check out four up-trending SEC teams

• Texas A&M; 17-7 overall and 9-2 in the SEC; wins in four of last five games
• Arkansas Razorbacks; 17-7, 6-5; wins in five of last six games
• Missouri Tigers; 18-6, 6-5; wins in four of last five games
• Mississippi State Bulldogs; 16-8, 4-7; winners of four consecutive games

The Kentucky Wildcats (16-8 and 7-4), winner of six of their last eight would qualify for the up-trending list – but Tuesday night, the Cats lost by 15, in Rupp against Arkansas.

Vanderbilt’s last-second 66-65 win over Tennessee was such a major upset, the Dores (12-12 and 5-6) deserve an up-trend, honorable mention.

SEC teams headed in the wrong direction

• Tennessee Vols; at 19-5 and 8-3, the Vols have not slipped far, but losing two of their last three requires a turnaround.
• Auburn Tigers; 17-7 and 7-4; losses in four of last five games
• Florida Gators; 13-11 and 6-5; losses in three of last four games
• Georgia Bulldogs; 14-10 and 4-7; losses in six of last seven games

Current SEC Basketball standings are available here.

How good is Alabama Basketball? After the Florida win, Nate Oats said, “When we’re locked in and our effort is good, we’re a really good team.”