George Bagwell provides his SEC basketball power rankings heading into week 15 of the 2024 season.
We’re so back. Reaching levels of return that were previously thought impossible. With Auburn’s loss to Florida, every Southeastern Conference member has now suffered a loss in 2025. Unfortunately, that comes with the caveat that one (South Carolina) has also not managed a win, but that will come in due time, we assume.
Without further ado, we’ve got the SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Volume 3, Episode 15.
Matchup of the week: Alabama vs. Auburn (Feb. 15 – 4 p.m.)
Sneaky good matchup of the week: Vanderbilt vs. Auburn (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.)
All games listed are EST.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last week’s ranking: 2 (+1)
Record: 20-3 (9-1)
Last week: W vs. Arkansas (85-81)
Next week: at Texas (Feb. 11 – 9 p.m.), vs. No. 1 Auburn (Feb. 15 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Houston, vs. Illinois, at North Carolina, vs. Creighton, vs. Oklahoma, at Texas A&M, at Kentucky, vs. Vanderbilt, at Mississippi State
Bad losses: N/A
Alabama has finally reclaimed the number one spot. Granted, they almost choked away an 18-point lead with six minutes to go against a not-so-great Arkansas team. But they also didn’t lost at home this week. So they’ll jump Auburn for the coveted top ranking in the vaunted SEC basketball power rankings.
What remains to be seen is who will be ranked first at this time next week. Spoiler alert: it’s whoever wins the game between the two on Saturday, the most-hyped matchup in the best conference in the nation.
2. Auburn Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-1)
Record: 21-2 (9-1)
Last week: W vs. Oklahoma (98-70), L vs. No. 6 Florida (90-81)
Next week: at Vanderbilt (Jan. 29 – 7 p.m.), at No. 2 Alabama (Feb. 1 – 2 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Iowa State, vs. Houston, vs. Memphis, vs. Purdue, vs. Ohio State, vs. Missouri, at Texas, vs. Mississippi State, at Georgia, vs. Tennessee, at Ole Miss
Bad losses: N/A
Auburn finally loses their grip on the number one spot. Because despite Alabama very much not looking like a number one team in the final minutes of the Arkansas game, some Auburn students camped out from Tuesday to Saturday in order to get better seats to a game that ended up as the Tigers’ first home loss since Kentucky whooped Auburn last February. Don’t y’all have classes to go to? Showers to take? At a certain point, it’s not worth it. I would praise the students’ dedication to their program, but I will say it is possible to be a fan and also be clean.
3. Florida Gators
Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)
Record: 20-3 (7-3)
Last week: W vs. Vanderbilt (86-75), W at No. 1 Auburn (90-81)
Next week: at No. 22 Mississippi State (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.), vs. South Carolina (Feb. 15 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Florida State, vs. Tennessee, vs. Georgia, vs. Vanderbilt, at Auburn
Bad losses: N/A
What a week for Florida. The Gators took down an underrated Vandy squad, then recorded possibly the most impressive win of the season over the weekend, a road victory over Auburn. (The game was not nearly as close as the nine-point margin that it finished with.) And that was without Alijah Martin, by the way. Florida hit 13 threes en route to the program’s first ever road victory over a No. 1 opponent.
This week, they’ll look to keep that momentum going on the road against Mississippi State (a tough draw) and a home matchup against South Carolina (maybe not as difficult). If Florida can avoid pitfalls towards the end of their SEC schedule, there’s a chance the Gators could end up with a 1 seed.
4. Tennessee Volunteers
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-)
Record: 20-4 (7-4)
Last week: W vs. No. 15 Missouri (85-81), W at Oklahoma (70-52)
Next week: at No. 15 Kentucky (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.), vs. Vanderbilt (Feb. 15 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Louisville, vs. Baylor, at Illinois, at Texas, vs. Georgia, vs. Mississippi State, at Missouri
Bad losses: N/A
Tennessee has quietly righted the ship. After a 4-4 start to conference games, the Vols have won three straight, including a victory over a Florida team that beat them like a drum earlier this season. In one of those victories, the most recent over Oklahoma, the Volunteers destroyed the Sooners on the boards. Oklahoma managed just 21 rebounds, and Cade Phillips and Jordan Gainey both contributed six rebounds off the bench.
This week, Tennessee gets another chance to beat Kentucky, but it won’t come easy up in Lexington. That’s followed up by a matchup at home against Vanderbilt. The ‘Dores, in case y’all forgot, also beat Tennessee earlier this season. It’s either revenge week or sweep week for Tennessee.
5. Texas A&M Aggies
Last week’s ranking: 9 (+4)
Record: 18-5 (7-3)
Last week: W at No. 15 Missouri (67-64)
Next week: vs. Georgia (Feb. 11 – 9 p.m.), vs. Arkansas (Feb. 15 – Noon)
Quality wins: vs. Creighton, vs. Ohio State, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Purdue, at Oklahoma, at Ole Miss, at Missouri
Bad losses: at UCF
Similar to Tennessee, the Aggies have righted the ship in recent weeks. After starting the conference slate 2-2, they’ve rolled to a 5-1 mark in their last six games. That includes their most recent matchup, a victory on the road against a very good Missouri team. (Henry Coleman III had 16 of the team’s 34 rebounds.)
Wade Taylor IV is heating up (check out that stat line from the victory over South Carolina), and the Aggies have an easier (nothing is truly easy in the SEC) this week. First, it’s a home matchup against Georgia, who’s 2-6 in their past eight games. Then, Texas A&M takes on Arkansas, who, to their credit, has shown signs of life recently. With Auburn’s loss to Florida, there’s actually a path for Texas A&M to win the conference. But let’s win the games on the schedule first.
6. Missouri Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-1)
Record: 17-6 (6-4)
Last week: L at No. 4 Tennessee (85-81), L vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (67-64)
Next week: vs. Oklahoma (Feb. 12 – 9 p.m.), at Georgia (Feb. 15 – 3:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Kansas, at Florida, vs. Vanderbilt, vs. Ole Miss, at Mississippi State
Bad losses: N/A
Seven points separate Mizzou from being 8-2 in SEC games after last week. The Tigers came close, but ultimately short, in losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M. Big shoutout, however, to Tamar Bates, who led the team with 22 points and 16 points, respectively, in those games. This is still a very good team that is very well coached.
This week, Missouri’s schedule gets a bit easier. First, a home date with Oklahoma. Then, it’s off to Athens to face Georgia and Mike White. Ranked 21st currently in the AP poll, the Tigers have a chance to move up with two wins against conference foes.
7. Ole Miss Rebels
Last week’s ranking: 11 (+4)
Record: 18-6 (7-4)
Last week: W vs. No. 14 Kentucky (98-84), W at LSU (72-70)
Next week: at South Carolina (Feb. 12 – 7 p.m.), vs. No. 22 Mississippi State (Feb. 15 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Louisville, vs. Georgia, at Alabama, vs. Kentucky
Bad losses: N/A
I guess the important thing is the “W” or the “L”, not the margin. Because Mississippi beat LSU, they get to stay in the top half of the SEC basketball power rankings. But if they had lost, (LSU had a 98.2% chance to win with under three minutes left) rest assured this team would have fallen to the double digits in these rankings. Beating Kentucky (albeit without Lamont Butler) also helps out this team, vibes-wise.
This week, a win over South Carolina most likely punches an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Any SEC team with 8-9+ wins in conference games this season will probably get in. Of course, there’s always the chance that this team falls apart like they did last year. But it’s looking less and less likely to happen.
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-2)
Record: 17-6 (5-5)
Last week: W at Georgia (76-75)
Next week: vs. No. 3 Florida (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.), at No. 19 Ole Miss (Feb. 15 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: at SMU, at Memphis, at Vanderbilt, vs. Ole Miss
Bad losses: vs. Butler
Mississippi State had a slow week, with just one game on tap last week. The Bulldogs made the most of it, however, beating Georgia in Athens by a single point. That was thanks to Josh Hubbard’s 16 points and six assists, as well as KeShawn Murphy’s 14-point performance off the bench.
This is, to put it lightly, a huge week for Mississippi State. First, the Bulldogs face off against new No. 3 Florida in Starkville. Last time the two teams met in the Magnolia State, Florida won by two points. Josh Hubbard, however, didn’t have a say in that result. Regardless of result against the Gators, the Bulldogs will have a chance to sweep their rivals, but it’ll be difficult. Mississippi State travels to Oxford over the weekend, and the winner of that game will (likely) be ranked ahead of the other next week.
9. Kentucky Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 8 (-1)
Record: 16-7 (5-5)
Last week: L at Ole Miss (98-84), W vs. South Carolina (80-57)
Next week: vs. No. 5 Tennessee (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.), at Texas (Feb. 15 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Duke, vs. Gonzaga, vs. Louisville, vs. Florida, at Mississippi State, vs. Texas A&M
Bad losses: N/A
Some people might be upset with Kentucky being this low. Vanderbilt fans are probably upset that the Wildcats are this high. There’s seven SEC teams above .500 currently. Mark Pope’s team isn’t one of them. For Kentucky to match last year’s SEC win total, they’d have to win out. Who does Kentucky have to thank for that? From both sides of the equation, John Calipari.
This week, Kentucky has a tough first matchup against Tennessee. But keep in mind that the Wildcats have already beaten the Vols, and this time, it’s at Rupp. Then, it’s a road trip to the Texas Longhorns, who certainly aren’t the best team in the conference but have shown the ability to put together a complete game. (I.e. against Missouri.) Let’s not lose both, ok Wildcats?
10. Vanderbilt Commodores
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-3)
Record: 17-6 (5-5)
Last week: L at No. 6 Florida (86-75), W vs. Texas (86-78)
Next week: vs. No. 1 Auburn (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.), at No. 5 Tennessee (Feb. 15 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Tennessee, vs. Kentucky
Bad losses: N/A
Vanderbilt is technically still in the top ten of these rankings. To be fair, they’re also still a decent amount ahead of Georgia, vibes-wise. But it’s time for the ‘Dores to pick up a quality road win. Maybe that comes against Tennessee this week? But even if it doesn’t, I’m sure that the Vanderbilt faithful will be fine with a victory over No. 1 Auburn. It’s a week loaded with opportunity, y’all.
11. Georgia Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 13 (+2)
Record: 16-8 (4-7)
Last week: W vs. LSU (81-62), L vs. No. 22 Mississippi State (76-75)
Next week: at No. 8 Texas A&M (Feb. 11 – 9 p.m.), vs. No. 21 Missouri (Feb. 15 – 3:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. St. John’s, vs. Kentucky, vs. Oklahoma
Bad losses: at Arkansas
I may have jinxed Georgia back in January, and I feel horrible about it. Sorry, Bulldogs fans. I love Mike White, I do. But I believe my exact words were “sign Mike White to a lifetime contract.” I’m still a believer in that, yes, but Georgia isn’t a lock for the NCAA tournament. Certainly they could make it, but it doesn’t feel like the same eight ball as a couple months ago. Picking up a win this week would be a huge benefactor to the Bulldogs’ chances, however. Opportunities against Texas A&M and Missouri await.
12. Arkansas Razorbacks
Last week’s ranking: 15 (+3)
Record: 14-9 (3-7)
Last week: W at Texas (78-70), L vs. No. 3 Alabama (85-81)
Next week: vs. LSU (Feb. 12 – 9 p.m.), at No. 8 Texas A&M (Feb. 15 – Noon)
Quality wins: vs. Michigan, vs. Georgia
Bad losses: N/A
Arkansas’s last three games have actually been pretty class. (That’s a British word I picked up. I don’t quite know if I like it.) But the Razorbacks are suddenly back in the tournament picture, *only* if they can keep this momentum going. Even in their loss to Alabama, the Hogs fought back, clawing and scratching and almost coming all the way back before an eventual defeat. This week, Arkansas has arguably their easiest game left on the schedule (home against LSU) and one of the hardest (road against Texas A&M). So 1-1 seems like the likeliest possibility here. We’ll split our bets.
13. Oklahoma Sooners
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-1)
Record: 16-7 (3-7)
Last week: L at No. 1 Auburn (98-70), L vs. No. 4 Tennessee (70-52)
Next week: at No. 21 Missouri (Feb. 12 – 9 p.m.), vs. LSU (Feb. 15 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Arizona, vs. Louisville, vs. Michigan, vs. Vanderbilt
Bad losses: N/A
After starting the season 13-0, there’s a real chance that Oklahoma misses the tournament. They’re now 16-7 with six of their eight remaining games coming against ranked opponents. That’s tough. Even if they manage to go 3-5 in that stretch, they’d have lost 12 conference games. Is that too many for a team to make the tournament? Even if they went undefeated against non-SEC teams? That’s not up to me to decide. The Sooners can make the decision easy for the committee. This week, Oklahoma plays Mizzou on the road and LSU at home.
14. Texas Longhorns
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-4)
Record: 15-9 (4-7)
Last week: L vs. Arkansas (78-70), L at Vanderbilt (86-78)
Next week: vs. No. 2 Alabama (Feb. 11 – 9 p.m.), vs. No. 15 Kentucky (Feb. 15 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Oklahoma, vs. Missouri, vs. Texas A&M
Bad losses: vs. Arkansas
Texas has quietly not performed very well. I say quietly because the top half of the SEC has been so dominant and stealing all the headlines. That’s good for Texas and the other two teams in the Bottom Three of the SEC basketball power rankings. Y’all can probably guess the others. I’m sorry, but a three-game stretch against LSU, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt should not produce a sub-.500 record. Any good team should be able to get to 2-1 against those teams. Does that mean Texas isn’t a good team? We’re still not sure. After all, this is a roster that beat Missouri and Texas A&M. This week, the Longhorns stay home to take on Alabama and Kentucky. Big opportunities await.
15. LSU Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 14 (-1)
Record: 12-11 (1-9)
Last week: L at Georgia (81-62), L vs. No. 25 Ole Miss (72-70)
Next week: at Arkansas (Feb. 12 – 9 p.m.), at Oklahoma (Feb. 15 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Florida State
Bad losses: N/A
LSU was so close to that elusive second win. Of course, they couldn’t get it done, which is why they are still 15th in these rankings. But to reiterate, they did come close. The Tigers were up double digits with under three minutes remaining. That’s tough, y’all. I don’t really have much to say. This week, LSU faces off against Arkansas and Oklahoma. Do y’all know what that sounds like? Opportunity.
16. South Carolina Gamecocks
Last week’s ranking: 16 (-1)
Record: 10-13 (0-10)
Last week: L at No. 14 Kentucky (80-57)
Next week: vs. No. 19 Ole Miss (Feb. 12 – 7 p.m.), at No. 3 Florida (Feb. 15 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Clemson
Bad losses: vs. North Florida
Despite an extra bit of rest, South Carolina could not take advantage against Kentucky. In fact, they did pretty much the opposite. Once Collin Murray-Boyles got called for his second foul, everything was lost. The Gamecocks just don’t have the frontcourt depth to compete in a good league. Once Murray-Boyles hits the pine, the backups simply aren’t good enough. This week, the Gamecocks play two more ranked opponents, Ole Miss at home and Florida on the road.