2021-22 SEC Power Rankings: Christmas Eve Edition

Who sits atop the SEC power rankings at the Christmas break?

The college basketball season is reaching the quarter pole of the 2021-22 season. Whether the race to the finish line gets completed remains to be seen. The top tier of the SEC can hold its own against any league in the country. With five teams ranked in the top 20 and wins over such heavyweights as Gonzaga, UNC, Florida State, Memphis, and Syracuse, the SEC has its sights set on a league that could contend for as many as seven bids, provided the league doesn’t cannibalize itself in conference play.

Alabama is the first school to beat AP top-5 teams in college football and men’s college basketball on the same day.

The Crimson Tide took down No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship and No. 3 Gonzaga in the Battle in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/VxKigGJ77z

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 5, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Speaking of conference play, that is right around the corner and starts in earnest with most teams playing a league foe on December 29, 2021. So, who sits atop the first week’s SEC Power Rankings? It’s a football school that has it rolling in Tide country.

Yes, Alabama holds the top spot over an undefeated LSU squad. Alabama and Nate Oats earned the #1 ranking due to its win at Gonzaga, arguably one of the best true road wins by any team this season.

Sure, LSU is undefeated but their schedule hasn’t really tested the Tigers yet. That will change next week. Wonder if the SEC is mad at LSU for any reason…Hmmm? Will Wade’s first seven conference games go like this – at Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, at Florida, at Arkansas, at Alabama, and at Tennessee. A gauntlet for sure and a chance to move up in these rankings by staying undefeated.

Auburn, Tennessee, and Kentucky, who has posted back to back 90+ point outings, round out the top 5. That trio has accounted for a combined five losses.

SEC play will separate the contenders from the pretenders in the first few weeks as witnessed by LSU’s schedule to start league play.

1. Alabama

Record: 9-3

Best Win: at Gonzaga

Worst Loss: Iona

First SEC Game: Tennessee 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 2 West, ESPN Bracketology – 3 Midwest

2. LSU

12 wins. 0 losses.#BootUp pic.twitter.com/pjAMnYrRw1

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) December 23, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Record: 12-0

Best Win: Belmont

Worst Loss: N/A

First SEC Game: at Auburn 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 4 South, ESPN Bracketology – 3 East

“We didn’t panic. Great road win. Best one of the year so far.” – @coachbrucepearl #WarEagle | @Verizon

— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) December 19, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

3. Auburn

Record: 11-1

Best Win: Syracuse

Worst Loss: UConn

First SEC Game: LSU 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 4 Midwest, ESPN Bracketology – 4 West

4. Tennessee

Record: 9-2

Best Win: Arizona

Worst Loss: Texas Tech

First SEC Game: Alabama 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 6 Midwest, ESPN Bracketology – 4 South

half bear the other half cat?

PREVIEW » https://t.co/2u5qOrOfol pic.twitter.com/wYDIifuT1x

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) December 21, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

5. Kentucky

Break a Rupp Arena record ➡️ celebration shower

🎉 @Oscartshiebwe34 pic.twitter.com/eNiFThKgZD

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 23, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Record: 9-2

Best Win: UNC

Worst Loss: Notre Dame

First SEC Game: Missouri 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 5 East, ESPN Bracketology – 6 West

6. Arkansas

Still unbeaten at Bud Walton. pic.twitter.com/7JRKGtK79A

— Arkansas Razorback Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) December 22, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Record: 10-2

Best Win: Kansas State

Worst Loss: Hofstra

First SEC Game: at Mississippi State 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 5 West, ESPN Bracketology – 6 South

Defense ➡️ offense
(And everywhere inbetween) #GoGators | #GatorsHoop pic.twitter.com/7EEiPo5FOu

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) December 19, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

7. Florida

Record: 9-3

Best Win: FSU

Worst Loss: Texas Southern

First SEC Game: at Mississippi 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – 9 South, ESPN Bracketology – 10 East

8. Texas A&M

Record: 9-2

Best Win: Notre Dame

Worst Loss: TCU

First SEC Game: at Arkansas 1/4/22

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A

9. Mississippi State

Record: 9-3

Best Win: Richmond

Worst Loss: Minnesota

First SEC Game: Arkansas 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A

10. Ole Miss

Record: 8-4

Best Win: Memphis

Worst Loss: Western Kentucky

First SEC Game: at Florida 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A

11. South Carolina

Record: 9-3

Best Win: Florida State

Worst Loss: Coastal Carolina

First SEC Game: Auburn 1/4/22

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A

12. Vanderbilt

⚓️ That winning feeling.

Moving on to the championship game of the @DiamondHeadClsc. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/vEMjqkbSDp

— Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball (@VandyMBB) December 24, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Record: 8-4

Best Win: BYU

Worst Loss: Temple

First SEC Game: at Arkansas 1/4/22

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A

13. Missouri

Record: 6-6

Best Win: Utah

Worst Loss: Kansas City

First SEC Game: at Kentucky 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A

14. Georgia

Record: 5-7

Best Win: Memphis

Worst Loss: ETSU

First SEC Game: at Ole Miss 12/29/21

Seeding: Matty Brackets – N/A, ESPN Bracketology – N/A