George Bagwell provides his SEC basketball power rankings heading into week 5 of the 2024 season.
We’re so back. SEC basketball is back. The conference as a whole (almost) is playing great basketball. Fall is here. The temperatures are cold. And the SEC-ACC Challenge is kicking off this week. Good hoops will be abundant.
This week, I have two albums on repeat. Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and A Tribe Called Quest’s People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Two solid picks. Last edition, we had each team summed up in a single word. This week, we’re doing albums. Without further ado, we’ve got the SEC Power Rankings: Volume 3, Episode 5.
Matchup of the week: Kentucky vs. Gonzaga (Dec. 7 – 10 p.m., Seattle)
Sneaky good matchup of the week: LSU vs. Florida State (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.)
All games listed are EST.
1. Auburn Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 7-0
Last week: W vs. No. 12 UNC (85-72), W vs. Memphis (90-76)
Next week: at No. 9 Duke (Dec. 4 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. Richmond (Dec. 8 – Noon)
Quality wins: vs. Iowa State, vs. Houston, vs. UNC, vs. Memphis
Bad losses: N/A
Auburn in an album: Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
Simply put, the best right now. It’s arguably the best album of 2024, and you can hate the player but you’ve got to respect the game. Is Bruce Pearl actually Sabrina Carpenter? Likely not. He is doing a heck of a job so far though, minus the plane incident.
2. Tennessee Volunteers
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)
Record: 7-0
Last week: W vs. UT-Martin (78-35)
Next week: vs. Syracuse (Dec. 3 – 7:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Louisville, vs. Baylor
Bad losses: N/A
Tennessee in an album: Songs About Jane by Maroon 5.
It’s an older one (comparatively speaking with other works in the Maroon 5 discography), but Songs About Jane might be their best work. Chaz Lanier has stepped into Dalton Knecht’s shoes effortlessly, and Zakai Zeigler is playing at his highest level yet. The Vols have dispatched both Louisville and Baylor, and look quite impressive.
3. Kentucky Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)
Record: 7-0
Last week: W vs. Western Kentucky (87-68), W vs. Georgia State (105-76)
Next week: at Clemson (Dec. 3 – 9:30 p.m.), vs. Gonzaga (Dec. 7 – 10 p.m., Seattle)
Quality wins: Duke
Bad losses: N/A
Kentucky in an album: Country Squire by Tyler Childers
It’s only natural that I use a Kentucky artist for this space, and I’m choosing Tyler Childers. It was a solid album, and I was surprised by it, just like I was surprised by Kentucky’s performance this year. It is important to note that the Wildcats really only have one quality win. So let’s wait to crown them champions of anything until they take on Gonzaga this week. I’ll hop on the wagon once they beat Zaga.
4. Florida Gators
Last week’s ranking: 6 (+2)
Record: 8-0
Last week: W vs. Wake Forest (75-58), W vs. Wichita State (88-51)
Next week: vs. Virginia (Dec. 4 – 7:15 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Florida State, vs. Wake Forest, vs. Wichita State
Bad losses: N/A
Florida in an album: Mail on Sunday by Flo Rida.
Mail on Sunday for two reasons. One being the inevitable shoutout to the late 2000s and early 2010s club hitmaster Flo Rida, born Tramar Dillard. The other reason is that like mail on Sunday, this team has yet to deliver a true statement win. The Gators’ strength of schedule is rated 188th in D-1, per KenPom. They won’t play a ranked opponent until Dec. 17 when they take on North Carolina.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)
Record: 6-2
Last week: W vs. No. 6 Houston (87-78), W vs. Rutgers (95-90), L vs. Oregon (83-81)
Next week: at No. 20 North Carolina (Dec. 4 – 7:15 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Houston, vs. Illinois
Bad losses: N/A
Alabama in an album: What Could Possibly Go Wrong by Dominic Fike.
As in, What Could Possibly Go Wrong when a top-3 offense meets a defense that sits outside the top 40? Both of those respective units are Alabama. Is this the same old story for the Tide? Able to score at will, but opponents can score at Nate? And they’ve played a really tough schedule so far (that’s why they’re above undefeated Oklahoma) but the defensive rating I just referenced is already adjusted for strength of schedule. Unadjusted, Alabama sits at last in the conference. Not the best place to be.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
Last week’s ranking: 14 (+8)
Record: 7-0
Last week: W vs. Providence (79-77), W vs. No. 21 Arizona (82-77), W vs. Louisville (69-64)
Next week: vs. Georgia Tech (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.), vs. Alcorn State (Dec. 7 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Arizona, vs. Louisville, vs. Providence
Bad losses: N/A
Oklahoma in an album: In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson.
This is a classic soothing album. Not classical, but classic. It’s calm, tranquil, and we love it. It’s got hits like “Banana Pancakes” and “Better Together”. Oklahoma is playing above expectations, with wins over three Power Five opponents in a week. Enjoy the calm, enjoy the peace, and maybe sip a piña colada from a coconut over winter break. Oklahoma won’t have to play another ranked opponent until 2025.
7. Texas A&M Aggies
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)
Record: 6-2
Last week: L vs. Oregon (80-70), W vs. No. 21 Creighton (77-73), W vs. Rutgers (81-77)
Next week: vs. Wake Forest (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.), vs. Texas Tech (Dec. 8 – 3 p.m., Fort Worth)
Quality wins: vs. Creighton, vs. Ohio State, vs. Rutgers
Bad losses: N/A
Texas A&M in an album: More Songs About Buildings and Food by The Talking Heads.
Ooh, this is a good album. An album that I really like, personally, but I can admit it has some songs that aren’t as good as they can be. “The Good Thing” isn’t my favorite. But “Take Me To The River”? “Artists Only”? Oh, these are some great songs. At their best, this is one of the best albums of the 70s in my opinion. The Aggies have the potential to be a very good team.
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-4)
Record: 6-1
Last week: W vs. UNLV (80-58), L vs. Butler (87-77)
Next week: vs. #18 Pitt (Dec. 4 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 8 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Utah
Bad losses: N/A
Mississippi State in an album: SOS by SZA.
SOS is a great album, and like the Bulldogs, it’s fun to listen to. It’s got some hits, I’ll defend it with my life, and the cover is beautiful. Just don’t hit “Snooze” on this squad after a recent loss to Butler.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Last week’s ranking: 13 (+4)
Record: 6-1
Last week: W vs. BYU (96-85), L vs. Purdue (80-78)
Next week: at Louisville (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.), vs. Lindenwood (Dec. 7 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. BYU
Bad losses: N/A
Mississippi in an album: Globalization by Pitbull.
It’s an album. I know it’s real. I’m listening to Globalization by Pitbull right now. But I’m still not entirely convinced it’s real. 12 different features on 11 songs? A Jason Derulo feature immediately preceded by a feature from Heymous Molly? Who is Heymous Molly? The same album that has “Time of Our Lives” ends with the official song of the 2014 FIFA World Cup? Nothing makes sense and everything makes sense at the same time, and we have to chalk it up to Pitbull (Mississippi) being Pitbull (Mississippi).
10. Georgia Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 11 (+1)
Record: 7-1
Last week: W vs. Jacksonville (102-56)
Next week: vs. Notre Dame (Dec. 3 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. St. John’s
Bad losses: N/A
Georgia in an album: Aquemini by Outkast
A win over St. John’s and doubling up Jacksonville means I’m contractually obligated to shoutout Outkast in the Georgia segment. So Aquemini has been picked. Shoutout Mike White. Shoutout Asa Newell. Shoutout Silas Demary Jr.. Shoutout Dakota Leffew. Shoutout all the other Dawgs. Shoutout West Savannah. Shoutout Sasha Thumper. Shoutout bowling ball Impalas.
11. Texas Longhorns
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-2)
Record: 6-1
Last week: W vs. Delaware State (90-68)
Next week: at NC State (Dec. 4 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. UConn (Dec. 8 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Texas in an album: Damn The Torpedoes by Tom Petty.
Damn the Torpedoes. Because I like the album. It’s a solid 70s rock album from one of the best Southern rock stars of all time. But before a trip for some Louisiana Rain comes along in mid-December, the Longhorns won’t Surrender to the defending champs UConn, who have to tell their opponents “Don’t Do Me Like That”. The Huskies lost three games in a row in Maui. Why are they still ranked? You Tell Me. Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt, this Longhorns team has the potential to beat both their opponents this week. But Even the Losers will like this album. Bang. Six references to song titles in one paragraph. That’s actually the only reason I chose this album.
12. Vanderbilt Commodores
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-)
Record: 7-1
Last week: W vs. Tennessee Tech (87-56)
Next week: at Virginia Tech (Dec. 4 – 9:15 p.m.) vs. TCU (Dec. 8 – 12:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Nevada
Bad losses: N/A
Vanderbilt in an album: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes by Jimmy Buffet.
All is well in Nashville. And after a mostly successful trip to the Atlantic coast (please, more Jimmy Buffett), the Commodores have experienced a change in latitude and a change in attitude. Last year, Vanderbilt didn’t secure their 7th win until February. They’ve already accomplished that feat this year before December rolled around. That’s progress.
13. LSU Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 8 (-5)
Record: 6-1
Last week: W vs. Northwestern State (77-53)
Next week: vs. Florida State (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.), vs. FGCU (Dec. 8 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Kansas State
Bad losses: N/A
LSU in an album: Mechanical Bull by Kings of Leon.
I chose Mechanical Bull not because I hate it, but because the critics (Pitchfork, actually) hate it. I love the album. I’ll admit there’s some songs that aren’t my favorite, like a loss to Pitt. But others I do really enjoy. I wish everyone else shared my love for this album. But because people will get mad if I put this team high in the rankings, they’re stuck between Vanderbilt and Arkansas. Don’t let public perception pull away from the fact that I love this team.
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-4)
Record: 5-2
Last week: L vs. Illinois (90-77)
Next week: at Miami (Dec. 3 – 7 p.m.), vs. UTSA (Dec. 7 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Arkansas in an album: Hot Fuss by The Killers.
There are some bangers on this album. “Mr. Brightside,” of course. “Smile Like You Mean It,” of course. But there are some bad songs, too. “Andy, You’re A Star”? Seriously? “Midnight Show”? I know there’s going to be some good songs from Arkansas this season. And there will certainly be some bad ones too.
15. Missouri Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 15 (-)
Record: 6-1
Last week: W vs. Lindenwood (81-61)
Next week: vs. California (Dec. 3 – 7 p.m.), vs. No. 1 Kansas (Dec. 8 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Missouri in an album: O by Omarion
O because while it did reach the Billboard Top 200 album list, it was because it was going up against 3 Doors Down and a posthumous (RIP Ray) Ray Charles album. Mizzou has the lowest strength of schedule on KenPom, literally 364th. Immediately after it hit the top, it was displaced permanently by 50 Cent’s second studio album, The Massacre, who held the No. 1 position for six straight weeks. 50 Cent is Kansas basketball.
16. South Carolina Gamecocks
Last week’s ranking: 16 (-)
Record: 4-3
Last week: W vs. Virginia Tech (70-60)
Next week: at Boston College (Dec. 3 – 7 p.m.), vs. East Carolina (Dec. 7 – 2 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: vs. North Florida
South Carolina in an album: Ghost Stories by Coldplay.
I love Coldplay. I do. Most of their work. Ghost Stories is a not-so-great album from a good band. Maybe their next album will be better. Maybe they’ll work out their kinks on offense and defense. Maybe they won’t lose again until January. That’s a fair goal for this team.