George Bagwell gives his SEC basketball power rankings heading into week 17 of the 2023 season.
Matchup of the week: Alabama vs. Tennessee (Mar. 2 – 8 p.m.)
Sneaky good matchup of the week: South Carolina vs. Florida (Mar. 2 – Noon)
All games listed are EST.
Time flies, doesn’t it? We only have two more weeks (this one included) of SEC Basketball Power Rankings remaining. Then it’s off to the SEC Tournament. Then it’s off to the NCAA tournament. Then, possibly, it’s off to Glendale for one, two, three, four, or no lucky teams from the Southeastern Conference. Just from this week’s results, it looks like that number will almost certainly be less than two. But we love all of our SEC delegates and cheer for all 14 of them, even if about half of those aren’t making the tournament.
Last week, Rocky Top solidified their place at the peak while Alabama’s defense liquified. (I wonder which SEC pundit predicted that? This is the first time today I will pat myself on the back for that moment of clarity, but not the last.) The ‘Cocks rise again, while the two schools in the ‘Sip are currently headed in two very different directions. Arkansas has finally escaped the Bottom Three, while the ‘Cats of Lexington (mostly) silenced the doubters, at least on offense. Auburn, as it turns out, might be ok without Jaylin for the time being, while the Aggies seem intent on bursting their own bubble. Florida was oh-so-close to being this week’s big winner, but the late-game struggles resurfaced again like a post-hibernation alligator. Missouri needs a hug. Vandy can also be added to the hug list, while Georgia can thank them for ending the skid. A Baltimorean is the King of Baton Rouge. Welcome to SEC Power Rankings, season 2, episode 17.
1) Tennessee Volunteers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 21-6 (11-3)
Last week: W at Missouri (72-67), W vs. Texas A&M (86-51)
Next week: vs. #11 Auburn (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.), at #14 Alabama (Mar. 2 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Kentucky, at Wisconsin, Illinois, Alabama
Bad losses: N/A
I’ve been saying it for weeks now. The most complete team in the SEC is Tennessee, and they have the potential to make a deep run in March or even April. Maybe it didn’t look that way against Missouri earlier in the week, but it certainly did in a 35-point margin revenge victory against the Aggies of College Station. Dalton Knecht dropped 24, while Zakai Zeigler looked like his old self in a 14-assist performance.
Tennessee is clearly the class of the SEC, and, honestly, at least until Jaylin Williams comes back, the only realistic option from the conference to win the championship. Think about it. Kentucky and Alabama’s defenses can’t possibly stop six quality offenses in a row, South Carolina would be a fun story but just isn’t complete enough to win it all against Houston or UConn, while Auburn does need to show they can win quality road games. Also, goes without saying, but Florida isn’t efficient enough shooting the ball and is limited when they can’t dominate the boards. Dalton Knecht can be this year’s Kemba, but I’m sure I’ve said that before.
This week, the Vols are faced with the most consequential week of their conference slate this year, with a home matchup against Auburn and a road trip to Tuscaloosa. Win both, and the SEC regular season championship could be locked up. Lose both and it’s an uphill climb. Go 1-1 and Alabama could be in the driver’s seat. There are so many options! (There’s three, and they’re actually pretty straightforward.) Best course of action for Tennessee (or every team ever)? Just win and no sweating is required. But that’s difficult. All four of the Vols’ remaining opponents (Auburn, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky) are ranked. That’s tough.
2) Kentucky Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: 19-8 (9-5)
Last week: L at LSU (74-75), W vs. #13 Alabama (117-95)
Next week: at Mississippi State (Feb. 27 – 7 p.m.), vs. Arkansas (Mar. 2 – 1:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: North Carolina, at Auburn, at Florida
Bad losses: UNC Wilmington, at LSU
And what happened? Exactly what I said was going to happen. And when’d it happen? Exactly when I said it was going to happen. (That’s back-pat number two.) To be fair, my exact words were “My personal thoughts? I think these Cats lose early in the week then beat Bama by 15 at home.” It wasn’t exactly 15 points, technically 22, but that’s about as close to the hammer on the nail as I’m capable of formulating. Coach Cal’s group lost to LSU (a good team!) on the road after a much-maligned last possession on defense in which multiple Wildcat defenders looked like they didn’t know where they were. But, after the keyboard warriors came out again, the ‘Cats shut them down with an absolute demolition of Alabama. I’ll save all the Alabama criticism for the Alabama section. Meanwhile, Kentucky. What a show. 117 points? Against an SEC team? Bang. Justin Edwards scored 28 points on 10-10 shooting from the field, Antonio Reeves scored 24, and Zvonimir Ivišić scored 18 points off the bench. No complaints, y’all. Elite offense.
This week, a very tough road test is on the docket for when the Wildcats take on Mississippi State. Then, a very manageable home game against Arkansas. While Mississippi State comes into the week on a five-game winning streak, Kentucky’s offense has shown the ability (obviously) to score in bunches. Should be a fun game. There’s no reason to think Kentucky should have any trouble with the Hogs at home.
3) Auburn Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 5 (+2)
Record: 21-6 (10-4)
Last week: W at Georgia (97-76)
Next week: at #4 Tennessee (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.), vs. Mississippi State (Mar. 2 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: Alabama, South Carolina, at Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Bad losses: at App State
First test? Consider it passed. The Tigers, in their first game without Jaylin Williams, went to Athens and dominated, just like Sparta did thousands of years ago, also without Jaylin Williams. The final score was 97-76, and that’s a fair representation of how well this offense was clicking. These Tigers shot 62.1% from the field, a Bruce Pearl-era record. I understand that Georgia isn’t exactly UConn or Houston, but it’s a very encouraging sign for the present.
It’s a big weekend ahead for Auburn. First, a trip to Rocky Top, a nightmare for every SEC team besides South Carolina, apparently. Then, a very consequential home game against a surging Mississippi State squad. There’s no other way to put this. This week is simply huge for Auburn and the Tigers’ hopes for a shot at the SEC crown. 2-0 would be huge, 1-1 is expected, and 0-2 would be the death knell for this team’s SEC regular season title hopes. We’ll see what happens.
4) South Carolina Gamecocks
Last week’s ranking: 6 (+2)
Record: 22-5 (10-4)
Last week: W at Ole Miss (72-59)
Next week: at Texas A&M (Feb. 28 – 8:30 p.m.), vs. #24 Florida (Mar. 2 – Noon)
Best wins: at Tennessee, Kentucky, Grand Canyon, at Ole Miss
Bad losses: Georgia, LSU
What’s that in Oxford? Just a team that’s been quarter-zipped twice and another team that’s standing on business. South Carolina needed a win after a two-game skid, and the Gamecocks delivered. Shots fell, the rock was slung across the court, and the defense was stout. That’s a how-to on winning on the road in the SEC. At this point, this team is a tournament lock, and Lamont Paris could be in line for some hardware and a raise. That extra bit of rest has been crucial for SEC teams this season, and this weekend was no exception. Shoutout to Zachary Davis, who stepped into the starting lineup in the stead of Myles Stute and scored 14 points, his highest total of his career.
What do we have in store for the ‘Cocks this week on the hardwood? A suddenly manageable road trip to College Station, then a date with Florida back home in Columbia. Those are definitely winnable games. After all, the Aggies have lost to Ole Miss and Arkansas at home. This isn’t the same team we saw take down Iowa State earlier this year. And Florida is competing at around the same level as South Carolina as of recent, but Colonial Life could be a difference-maker in what will for-sure be a raucous environment. This team still has a chance to win the SEC regular season title, and is only a game back of Alabama and Tennessee, who have to play each other. A 2-0 week isn’t out of the question.
5) Alabama Crimson Tide
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-3)
Record: 19-8 (11-3)
Last week: W vs. Florida (98-93), L at #16 Kentucky (95-117)
Next week: at Ole Miss (Feb. 28 – 9 p.m.), vs. #4 Tennessee (Mar. 2 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: Auburn, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana State, at Mississippi State
Bad losses: Ohio State
First things first. Congrats on the home win over Florida in overtime and the resilience it took to pull that out. Done? Ok, cool.
Second things second. One cannot give up 117 points and even begin to think about staying in the top four of a conference power rankings, especially the vaunted SEC Basketball Power Rankings. What are we doing, Alabama? 117? Did you even try to play defense? Or did Kentucky just have an open gym shootaround? I cannot even begin to comprehend what I watched. Yes, it was beautiful from an offensive standpoint and Kentucky deserves major props. But, from an Alabama standpoint, a defensive standpoint, there are no words other than whatever this raw reaction could be described as. North Dakota State played a glorified YMCA rec team earlier this year and still only scored 108. Alabama just gave up 117. I don’t really know what to say, and I don’t think my sentences are even making sense right now. If anyone ever thought that this team was capable of winning a championship this year, do not think that thought once more ever. It is not happening. Championship teams don’t give up 117 points. Sweet Sixteen teams don’t give up 117 points. Even NIT teams don’t give up 117 teams. I’m not advocating for Alabama to miss the NCAA tournament, but oh my gosh was this absolutely sickening. Put me on the court. Clone me 12 times and put me on the court against Kentucky. I guarantee they’re only scoring 116. Defense is 50% effort, 25% tactics, and 25% size. Saturday was 100% ****.
This week, Alabama goes on the road against Ole Miss then hosts Tennessee. I could see this as a make-or-break week here. Does the defense rebound? I would assume it would against a reeling Ole Miss squad, but Tennessee is a different beast. No pressure, but this Tennessee game could decide the conference. We at SEC Power Rankings Headquarters are predicting 1-1 with a thorough demolition of Ole Miss.
6) Florida Gators
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-2)
Record: 19-8 (9-5)
Last week: L at #13 Alabama (93-98), W vs. Vanderbilt (77-64)
Next week: vs. Missouri (Feb. 28 – 6:30 p.m.), at #18 South Carolina (Mar. 2 – Noon)
Quality wins: at Kentucky, Auburn
Bad losses: N/A
It may seem counterintuitive to move Florida down two spots after a close loss to Alabama on the road followed by a home win over Vanderbilt, but we had to reward Kentucky for putting up 117 on Alabama, something the Gators (understandably) couldn’t do. And the ‘Cocks had to move up after a double-digit road victory over Mississippi. That leaves Florida as the odd man out, but any team in spots 2-6 in these rankings is debatable, arguable, or whatever you want to call it. And it’s not like Florida didn’t have opportunities to win the game. Whenever a team has a nine-point lead in the 2nd half, they should win the game. Not my fault the Gators couldn’t close the game. Win next time. And they did win against Vanderbilt, but that’s Vanderbilt, so does it move the needle? I think not.
What do we have on tap for Florida this week? A very winnable home game against Missouri, who has yet to beat an SEC opponent, and a road trip to South Carolina, who are just a game ahead of the Gators in the standings. Last time South Carolina played at home, they lost to LSU. Last time Florida played LSU, they almost lost at home. This weekend, when these two teams meet, anything could happen. By anything, I mean either a South Carolina win or a Florida win. Those are literally the only two scenarios. Give us Carolina. Sorry, Gators. But it literally takes just one more win this season and Florida becomes a tournament lock.
7) Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)
Record: 19-8 (8-6)
Last week: W vs. Ole Miss (83-71), W at LSU (87-67)
Next week: vs. #16 Kentucky (Feb. 27 – 7 p.m.), at #11 Auburn (Mar. 2 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: Tennessee, Auburn, Washington State, Northwestern, Ole Miss
Bad losses: Southern, at Georgia Tech
Five in a row, y’all. Bang. That’s how you make a tournament run. Take notes, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. These Bulldogs are winning. Josh Hubbard us that guy, the frontcourt has been dominant, and the road woes seem to be gone. Remember when, just a few weeks ago, this team didn’t have a single road win? They just beat LSU in Baton Rouge by 20. Before that, they handled the Beard in a revenge game against Ole Miss. What are we standing on? Business, y’all. We’re also standing on a 19-8 overall record and 8-6 in the 3rd-best conference in America. That’s a far cry from when this team was 14-8, 3-6, just a few weeks ago. Since then, it’s been a big turnaround for this team, and let’s not forget that they also have that win over Tennessee on the resumé.
Will the Bulldogs keep the win streak going for another week? Honestly, looking at the schedule, it’s doubtful. That’s because the Bulldogs welcome Kentucky early in the week then travel to Neville to take on Auburn on Saturday. That is some very tough sledding ahead, but this team has shown the ability to navigate the sled this season, especially over the past few weeks. With the way this team has been playing, it’s not out of the blue to suggest they’ll beat one of Kentucky or Auburn. It’s not exactly a zero-risk scenario, but anything better than 0-2 this week will definitely be seen as a net-positive.
8) Ole Miss Rebels
Last week’s ranking: 8 (-)
Record: 19-8 (6-8)
Last week: L at Mississippi State (71-83), L vs. #20 South Carolina (59-72)
Next week: vs. #14 Alabama (Feb. 28 – 9 p.m.), at Missouri (Mar. 2 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Texas A&M, NC State
Bad losses: N/A
I saw a possum on Friday. Made my day. Big possum guy over here. They get a bad rap, especially with the term “playing possum.” Ole Miss’s recent skid could fit that moniker, but that would be unfair to possums. One would assume being one of the last two unbeatens would mean a program is a solid tournament lock, but the Rebels are now on the wrong side of the bubble following an 0-2 week that included a loss to their in-state rivals and a particularly disgusting offensive showing at home against South Carolina in which the shots didn’t fall but Allen Flanigan landed an elbow. He was ejected. Tough week for Ole Miss. They’re now just one (1!) game ahead of Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC standings. Yeah, not a tournament team.
What do the Rebels get for their troubles? An immediate test against Alabama following the Tide’s 2nd-worst performance of the season. That’s tough. The road does get easier for Ole Miss after, with a road matchup against winless-in-conference Mizzou, although the Tigers did almost knock off Ole Miss in Oxford earlier this year. That’s certainly a situation to monitor.
9) LSU Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 10 (+1)
Record: 14-13 (6-8)
Last week: W vs. #17 Kentucky (75-74), L vs. Mississippi State (67-87)
Next week: vs. Georgia (Feb. 27 – 7 p.m.), at Vanderbilt (Mar. 2 – 3:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Kentucky, at South Carolina, Wake Forest, at Texas A&M
Bad losses: Nicholls State
I’ve been saying there’s some type of magic in the Bayou, one that metrics and statistics can’t really grasp. And I might write an article about that soon. But for now, let’s look at last week’s game against the ‘Cats. Coming down from a 15-point deficit in the second half, making their shots, clawing back, making life difficult for Kentucky before a late heroic buzzer-beater from Tyrell Ward off a quick-thinking pass from Jordan Wright. Those are the kind of wins that matter in March. It’s probably too late for the Tigers to make a tournament push, but like I’ve been saying, this is actually a beautiful team to watch. I would highly recommend watching this team play basketball. While they did lose by 20 at home to Mississippi State, we forgive them.
And yes, this week is a golden opportunity for this team to return to .500 in league play, with a home game against Georgia followed by a road trip to Nashville to take on Vandy. That is about as favorable of a week’s slate as one can possibly get in the SEC this year. Just win, baby, win. (As said by Al Davis, and the author, just now.)
10) Texas A&M Aggies
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-1)
Record: 15-12 (6-8)
Last week: L vs. Arkansas (71-78), L at #5 Tennessee (51-86)
Next week: vs. #18 South Carolina (Feb. 28 – 8:30 p.m.), at Georgia (Mar. 2 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: Tennessee, Iowa State, Kentucky, Florida, at SMU
Bad losses: Arkansas (x2), LSU, at Vanderbilt
So what exactly are we doing here? This is the same team that beat Iowa State, Kentucky, and Tennessee? I don’t even know if I believe it. We’re sitting at 15-12 overall, a 6-8 conference record, and we can’t make a shot. It’s time to hit the panic button. Maybe the Aggies will miss that, too. Sorry, low blow. But seriously, if it weren’t for offensive rebounding, where would this team be? What happened last week to produce this pessimism? Another loss to Arkansas and a 35-point defeat to Tennessee. Where are the wheels to this wagon? Completely off. One could possibly excuse one loss to Arkansas. But two? That’s just crazy. Insanity, one could say. The Aggies should not be a tournament team, at least until they can prove to be able to make a shot.
The Aggies will need to bring their A-game against South Carolina at home, who is tied with Tennessee for the SEC lead in road wins this year (6). Then, they hit the road to take on Georgia. Imagine an 0-2 week. That would lead to a 15-14 overall record and a sub-5 percent chance of making the tournament. It cannot possibly be overstated just how important it is for the Aggies to break out of their slump this week. If they don’t, it’s over.
11) Arkansas Razorbacks
Last week’s ranking: 13 (+2)
Record: 14-13 (5-9)
Last week: W at Texas A&M (78-71), W vs. Missouri (88-73)
Next week: vs. Vanderbilt (Feb. 27 – 9 p.m.), at #16 Kentucky (Mar. 2 – 1:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Duke, at Texas A&M
Bad losses: UNC Greensboro
What? A 2-0 week? From Arkansas? This year’s Arkansas team? Didn’t see that coming, y’all. Big shoutout to Khalif Battle, who dropped 42. See what happens when he gets his deserved minutes, Muss? You get games like that. The more impressive team performance, however, came earlier in the week against Texas A&M. Going on the road, the Razorbacks managed to do exactly what they already did earlier this year in Fayetteville, beating the Aggies by multiple possessions on the back of 26 points from Tramon Mark. Mark becomes prime Kobe whenever he plays against the Aggies, apparently. Imagine if they end up playing each other in the SEC tournament. It’s not like this team is even close to making the tournament, but it’s nice to see a little bit of competitiveness and success from Arkansas over the past couple weeks.
Three-game winning streak incoming? It’s entirely possible, as Arkansas gets to stay home to host Vanderbilt, who hasn’t won a road game since taking out Kentucky at Rupp on March 1 of last year. On March 2 of this year, Arkansas will look to do just that, as they travel to Lexington on Saturday. All disclosure, I don’t think that’s going to go well for Arkansas. But we’ll see what happens. There’s a reason they play the games, right? And if Vandy can do it, Arkansas can do it.
12) Georgia Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-1)
Record: 15-12 (5-9)
Last week: W at Vanderbilt (76-64), L vs. #14 Auburn (76-97)
Next week: at LSU (Feb. 27 – 7 p.m.), vs. Texas A&M (Mar. 2 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: Wake Forest, at South Carolina
Bad losses: at Arkansas
Back in the win column. That’s what it’s all about. A double-digit road victory, even against Vanderbilt? That’s fun, y’all. The wheel came back off against Auburn once the team got back to Athens, but we celebrate wins here, sir. That may go against the very selection process being used to create these rankings, as any reader can tell we dropped the ‘Dawgs a spot, but my statement still stands. I only do retractions when needed, and it’s not needed here. Georgia’s bubble may be burst, but they still have a chase to win some games in preparation for an NIT run.
For what it’s worth, Georgia doesn’t have a super difficult schedule remaining. This week, a road game in Baton Rouge followed by a home game against Texas A&M. I didn’t say it was easy, rather just that it wasn’t super difficult. Big difference. If Georgia plays the way they did against Vanderbilt, they could win one of those games, but if they play like they did against Auburn, all bets are off. Following this week, they finish their year against Ole Miss and Auburn, again.
13) Vanderbilt Commodores
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-1)
Record: 7-20 (2-12)
Last week: L vs. Georgia (64-76), L at Florida (64-77)
Next week: at Arkansas (Feb. 27 – 9 p.m.), vs. LSU (Mar. 2 – 3:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Texas A&M
Bad losses: Presbyterian, Western Carolina, Boston College, Arizona State, Georgia
Ok, maybe not a second consecutive week with a Vandy win was in store. But they tried, at least. Unfortunately, almost-identical score lines accompanied the Commodores against Georgia and Florida, with Jerry Stackhouse’s group putting up 64 points in each game. Shoutout Paul Lewis, though, who put up a career-high 18 points in the loss to Georgia.
Vandy’s slate this week isn’t all too bad. First, a matchup on the road with 2023-34 Arkansas™️, who certainly wouldn’t fall under the category of world-beaters. Then, it’s a home game against LSU, a better team but still not the equivalent of Tennessee or Kentucky, and that game’s in Nashville. I would think that Vanderbilt would be able to win one of those games, even though they’ll be underdogs in both. If they don’t, it’s not the end of the world. They’re two games up on Mizzou with a tiebreaker in the standings but three games behind Arkansas and Georgia, so this week’s results cannot affect Vandy’s standing in the slightest in terms of seeding.
14) Missouri Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)
Record: 8-19 (0-14)
Last week: L vs. Tennessee (67-72), L at Arkansas (73-88)
Next week: at Florida (Feb. 28 – 6:30 p.m.), vs. Ole Miss (Mar. 2 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Minnesota, at Pitt
Bad losses: Jackson State, Arkansas (x2), at Vanderbilt, Georgia
Where do we go from here? I thought Missouri played one of their most complete games of the conference slate against Tennessee, leading the Vols 29-26 before an eventual five-point defeat. They followed that up with a 15-point loss to Arkansas and giving up 42 points to Khalif Battle. Missouri does need a hug. They haven’t won a conference game since beating Tennessee in the SEC tournament last year, which is a bit of a sad fact. We have Dennis Gates using profanity in the presser, which, as much as I support, I didn’t have on my 2023-24 Missouri basketball bingo card. I mean this with absolutely sincerity, but it literally cannot get worse. The team’s worst hour is just 60 minutes, even if that feels like an eternity. The calvary is coming next year, Dennis Gates is still a very good coach, and other SEC programs are guaranteed to get worse over the offseason. Missouri is guaranteed to improve, at least according to all possible simulations I have run in my head. (I’ve run 4.5, and I slept through the last 2.) Better days are ahead, y’all. Don’t forget that. Also, shout-out Sean East II, who scored 24 against Tennessee and 33 against Arkansas.
Does Missouri get their first conference win this week? Against Florida in Alachua County? Probably not. But on Saturday against Ole Miss at home? Now we’re talking. After all, the Tigers only lost by three on the road to the Rebels, so it’s not out of the picture. Would a win move the Tigers up a spot out of the cellar? Record-wise, no, and the question of if they deserve it would also probably be answered with a no, but sympathy alone could get me to move them up to #13 for the last edition of SEC Power Rankings. We will see.