Every SEC basketball team opened conference play on Saturday. Alabama Basketball dispensed with the Kentucky Wildcats 89-74, bringing agony to the Big Blue Nation. Arkansas got a key home win over Tennessee, 86-75. Also playing at home, Missouri upset Florida, 76-74. In Athens, Georgia outlasted Auburn, winning 104-100 in overtime.
Though the conference has just begun, Alabama Basketball, after playing Vandy on Wednesday and Texas on Saturday, will pass the halfway point in its regular season schedule.
Last season, 14 SEC basketball teams made the NCAA Tournament field. Currently, no more than 10 will advance to the Big Dance this season. It might be as few as eight teams. For that reason, the Power Rankings below include a top tier of eight SEC teams. The rankings are subjective, but the NCAA NET, along with Ken Pomeroy's and Bart Torvik's models, are considered. There is some recency bias as well.
SEC Basketball Power Rankings Jan. 4
- No. 1 - Vanderbilt Commodores (14-0, 1-0) - The Dores keep winning, with the only question being a SOS calculated by KPom as No. 83. Next up is Alabama in Nashville
- No. 2 - Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3, 1-0) - Nate Oats has the SEC's deepest depth of talent. With numerous injuries, the Tide's depth has been key. KPom as the Tide's SOS at No. 1. A fully healthy Tide is a potential Elite Eight team, and maybe even a Final Four. Winning in Nashville on Wednesday night will be a test.
- No. 3 - Florida Gators (9-5, 0-1) - With the No. 18 SOS, the Gators have played the SEC's third-toughest schedule. Two of their five losses were by a total of five points to Duke and UConn. Next up is Georgia in Gainesville.
- No. 4 - Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3, 1-0) - Knocking off the Vols was a strong SEC start for the Razorbacks. Plenty of Kentucky fans would like to trade coaches with the Hogs. Next up is Ole Miss in Oxford.
- No. 5 - Tennessee Vols (10-4, 0-1) - The Vols have a suspect SOS of No. 121, but two good wins over Houston and Louisville. Next up is Texas in Knoxville.
- No. 6 - Kentucky Wildcats (9-5, 0-1) - Pitt transfer Jaland Love has had a shoulder problem since the season began and missed a couple of games. He looked 100% against Alabama on Saturday, scoring 21 points on the Crimson Tide. He is a difference maker for the Cats. Next up is Missouri in Lexington.
- No. 7 - Georgia Bulldogs (13-1, 1-0) - The Dawgs continue to win, but with a SOS of No. 322, they are suspect. Next up is Florida in Gainesville.
- No. 8 - Auburn Tigers (9-5, 0-1) - 'Pearl-lite' has not proven himself as a head coach. The Tigers have been blown out by three top teams, but won over St. John's and lost to Houston by a single point. Their SOS of No. 8 gives them some benefit of doubt. Next up is Texas A&M in Auburn.