2024-25 SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 16

George Bagwell provides his SEC basketball power rankings heading into week 16 of the 2024-25 season.

That was fun while it lasted. It goes without saying that Auburn will retake the top spot in the SEC basketball power rankings after dispatching Alabama on the road. It’s not like the most-hyped matchup in recent SEC history didn’t live up to the hype: that was a pretty good game. But the Tigers still showed they were a league above the rest of the conference. (Besides Florida, of course.)

Without further ado, we’ve got the SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Volume 3, Episode 16.

Matchup of the week: Missouri vs. Alabama (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.)

Sneaky good matchup of the week: Texas A&M vs. Tennessee (Feb. 22 – Noon) 

All games listed are EST. 

1. Auburn Tigers

Last week’s ranking: 2 (+1)

Record: 23-2 (11-1)

Last week: W at Vanderbilt (80-68), W at No. 2 Alabama (94-85)

Next week: vs. Arkansas (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), vs. Georgia (Feb. 22 – 4 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, at Vanderbilt, at Alabama

Bad losses: N/A

Auburn returns to the throne after two quality road wins. The first was a game in which they went up 15-0, led Vandy take back the lead, then still win by double-digits. I never know what is going to happen any given night in the SEC. The second was more impressive, with Auburn going on the road to Tuscaloosa and handling the supposed number two team in the nation.

This week, Auburn has an easier week. That’s not to say they won’t step on a landmine, but they’re getting Arkansas and Georgia at home instead of Vandy and Alabama on the road. I’d be surprised if this team isn’t 25-2 by the time next week rolls around.

2. Florida Gators 

Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)

Record: 23-3 (10-3)

Last week: W at No. 22 Mississippi State (81-68), W vs. South Carolina (88-67), W vs. Oklahoma (85-63)

Next week: at LSU (Feb. 22 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: at Florida State, vs. Tennessee, vs. Georgia, vs. Vanderbilt, at Auburn, at Mississippi State

Bad losses: N/A

Florida is on a tear recently, and they’ve hit the 80-point mark five straight games since their clunker against Tennessee. Getting Micah Handlogten back is huge for a team that is currently without Alex Condon. For what it’s worth, they haven’t missed a beat.

We’ll see if that holds up later this week. It’s unwise to sleep on LSU at any point, ever. There’s some magic in the Bayou that appears sporadically, and in case you haven’t been keeping up with the bottom of the SEC basketball power rankings, the Tigers are currently on a winning streak.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Last week’s ranking: 1 (-2)

Record: 21-4 (10-2)

Last week: W at Texas (103-80), L vs. No. 1 Auburn (94-85)

Next week: at No. 15 Missouri (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), vs. No. 17 Kentucky (Feb. 22 – 6 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, at Texas

Bad losses: N/A

Alabama doesn’t fall too hard after a home loss to an elite squad, but they have to slide behind Florida for the time being. Mostly because Florida did what the Tide couldn’t: beat Auburn. (The Gators did it in Neville, by the way.) But it’s time to lose sight of the past and focus on the future. Alabama plays a tough Mizzou squad on the road, and that’s followed up with a home date against Kentucky. That game might belong to whichever offense puts up 100 points first.

4. Texas A&M Aggies  

Last week’s ranking: 5 (+1)

Record: 20-6 (9-4)

Last week: W vs. Georgia (69-53), W vs. Arkansas (69-61), L at No. 21 Mississippi State (70-54)

Next week: vs. No. 6 Tennessee (Feb. 22 – Noon)

Quality wins: vs. Creighton, vs. Ohio State, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Purdue, at Oklahoma, at Ole Miss, at Missouri

Bad losses: at UCF

Texas A&M moves up one spot, but lost a chance to move into the top three. Beat Mississippi State on Tuesday and the Aggies are in high company. Lose…and they’re fourth. They didn’t just lose. They put up just 54 points. Remember, this is a Mississippi State defense that gave up 80+ to Florida, Missouri, and Alabama. But, all in all, this team is 9-4 in the best conference in the country, and one bad game doesn’t define them.

This week, they get another test, this time against Tennessee. But it’s at home, and the Aggies can create some separation in the standings with a win. It’s a shame that it’s at 11 a.m. central time, because these two teams are deserving of playing in prime time.

5. Missouri Tigers 

Last week’s ranking: 6 (+1)

Record: 19-6 (8-4)

Last week: W vs. Oklahoma (82-58), W at Georgia (87-74)

Next week: vs. No. 4 Alabama (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), at Arkansas (Feb. 22 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Kansas, at Florida, vs. Vanderbilt, vs. Ole Miss, at Mississippi State, at Georgia

Bad losses: N/A

Missouri is consistently being slept on. Name an offense that can heat up at the same level as Dennis Gates’s squad. I’ll wait. If you said Alabama or Auburn, I’ll concede, but the truth is that Mizzou is on a short list of the best shooting teams in the country. Besides the tough loss to Texas A&M, this team has topped 80+ points in five of their last six games.

They’ll need a solid offensive performance to take down Alabama. But there’s reason to believe that the Tigers can take advantage of a very average Alabama defense. Arkansas awaits following the matchup with the Tide.

6. Tennessee Volunteers 

Last week’s ranking: 4 (-2)

Record: 21-5 (8-5)

Last week: L at No. 15 Kentucky (75-64), W vs. Vanderbilt (81-76)

Next week: at No. 7 Texas A&M (Feb. 22 – Noon)

Quality wins: at Louisville, vs. Baylor, at Illinois, at Texas, vs. Georgia, vs. Mississippi State, at Missouri, vs. Vanderbilt

Bad losses: N/A

Tennessee had a really tough 3/4ths of a week. They saved their best for last, coming back in the second half to beat Vanderbilt. But they lost to a hobbled Kentucky team, and truly almost did fall on their faces at home against the ‘Dores. That’s not conducive to moving up in the SEC basketball power rankings. The Vols really need to be thanking Zakai Zeigler for scoring 22 points in the final 20 minutes against Vanderbilt. Otherwise, Tennessee would be lower in these rankings.

This week, a huge game awaits. Tennessee travels to Texas to take on the Aggies in College Station. That’s a big time matchup with big time consequences for both the winner and loser. We’re at the point in the season where Q1 games can change a team’s seeding, both positively and negatively.

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs 

Last week’s ranking: 8 (+1)

Record: 19-7 (7-6)

Last week: L vs. No. 3 Florida (81-68), W at No. 19 Ole Miss (81-71), W vs. No. 7 Texas A&M (70-54)

Next week: at Oklahoma (Feb. 22 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: at SMU, at Memphis, at Vanderbilt, vs. Ole Miss (x2), vs. Texas A&M

Bad losses: vs. Butler

Mississippi State is a lock. I don’t think I’m jumping the gun by saying that. The Bulldogs could lose every game remaining on their schedule and they would still make the tournament. After victories over Ole Miss (they’re 6-1 in their past seven games against their rivals) and Texas A&M, their tournament resume is complete. There is, of course, time to build on it, but they’ve amassed everything necessary for a team to compete in the dance.

Before the tournament can get underway, Mississippi State does still have games to play. The first is in Norman with the Sooners. Oklahoma is reeling right now, and I’d be surprised if they put up much of a fight against a Mississippi State team that has plenty of momentum.

8. Kentucky Wildcats

Last week’s ranking: 9 (+1)

Record: 17-8 (6-6)

Last week: W vs. No. 5 Tennessee (75-64), L at Texas (82-78)

Next week: vs. Vanderbilt (Feb. 19 – 7 p.m.), at No. 4 Alabama (Feb. 22 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Duke, vs. Gonzaga, vs. Louisville, vs. Florida, at Mississippi State, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Tennessee (x2)

Bad losses: N/A

Kentucky is very serious about the phrase “one step forward, one step back.” Usually, it’s one step forward, two steps back, but Kentucky is more treading water than moving backwards. The win over Tennessee, fantastic. The loss to Texas? Very much the opposite. If the Wildcats don’t stop getting in their own way, they won’t have a chance to make a deep run in the tournament. Sounds a familiar story, right?

En route to March, Kentucky faces off against Vanderbilt and Alabama this week. The ‘Dores have already beaten Kentucky, and going into Tuscaloosa and winning is never easy. It is imperative that Kentucky wins at least one game this week.

9. Ole Miss Rebels 

Last week’s ranking: 7 (-2)

Record: 19-7 (8-5)

Last week: W at South Carolina (72-68), L vs. No. 22 Mississippi State (81-71)

Next week: at Vanderbilt (Feb. 22 – 3:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: at Louisville, vs. Georgia, at Alabama, vs. Kentucky

Bad losses: N/A

Almost losing to South Carolina is a bad look. Getting swept by your rivals is always a bad look. Welcome to Oxford. Obviously, this has been stated in the Mississippi State section, but Ole Miss is just 1-6 in the past 7 rivalry games between the teams. That’s tough. No other way to spin it. This team clearly has the ability to put together elite games, like against Alabama and Kentucky. But they also have a propensity to look like a borderline NIT invitee, like against Mississippi State, South Carolina, LSU, Memphis, Grambling, and so on.

The Rebels have just one game this week, a road trip to Vandy.

10. Vanderbilt Commodores 

Last week’s ranking: 10 (-)

Record: 17-8 (5-7)

Last week: L vs. No. 1 Auburn (80-68), L at No. 5 Tennessee (81-76)

Next week: at No. 17 Kentucky (Feb. 19 – 7 p.m.), vs. No. 24 Ole Miss (Feb. 22 – 3:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Tennessee, vs. Kentucky

Bad losses: N/A

Vanderbilt doesn’t fall in this week’s SEC basketball power rankings. When you have to play two top-five opponents and you almost beat one on the road, that’s truly nothing to hang your head about. That was Vanderbilt’s week. Of course, they can’t go 0-2 and move up, but there’s no real reason to punish them for being up double digits in Knoxville.

This week, more challenges await. First, a road matchup against Kentucky (whom the ‘Dores already beat) and then a game in Nashville against Ole Miss. Winning a game this week is huge for this team’s tournament chances.

11. Texas Longhorns 

Last week’s ranking: 14 (+3)

Record: 16-10 (5-8)

Last week: L vs. No. 2 Alabama (103-80), W vs. No. 15 Kentucky (82-78)

Next week: at South Carolina (Feb. 22 – 8:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: at Oklahoma, vs. Missouri, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Kentucky

Bad losses: vs. Arkansas

Texas is quietly picking up some good wins. Missouri, Texas A&M, Kentucky. When this team puts it together, they’re quite good. When they don’t, they lose to Arkansas and get blown out by good teams. For the football fans that are just now tuning into basketball, take a long look at Tre Johnson. He’s the real deal.

This week, Texas has an opportunity to not fall flat. Beating South Carolina is a must for a team that is 5-8 in conference games.

12. Georgia Bulldogs 

Last week’s ranking: 11 (-1)

Record: 16-10 (4-9)

Last week: L at No. 8 Texas A&M (69-53), L vs. No. 21 Missouri (87-74)

Next week: at No. 1 Auburn (Feb. 22 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. St. John’s, vs. Kentucky, vs. Oklahoma

Bad losses: at Arkansas

Georgia is in an odd place. They’re playing very good teams, and they’re losing. They’re not elite, these Bulldogs. But they’re slightly above-average, which is weird because they should be better than 4-9 in the SEC, albeit an elite conference. The team has quite the talent. But they need to start winning. Georgia is 2-8 in their past 10 games after starting the season 14-2.

This week, it’s just one game on the docket. A road game against the number one team in the country. That’s tough. With games against Auburn, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt still left, a 2-3 finish would likely get the Bulldogs some consideration.

13. Arkansas Razorbacks 

Last week’s ranking: 12 (-1)

Record: 15-10 (4-8)

Last week: W vs. LSU (70-58), L at No. 8 Texas A&M (69-61)

Next week: at No. 1 Auburn (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), vs. No. 15 Missouri (Feb. 22 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Michigan, vs. Georgia

Bad losses: N/A

Arkansas is, somehow, a bubble team at 4-8 in the conference. Yes, Mississippi State started 1-7 in SEC games in 2023 and still made the tournament. And that was when the SEC was not nearly as good. But that doesn’t mean Arkansas can get complacent. Besides winning the games that they should win, they need a statement win. That could’ve happened against Texas A&M last week, but, alas, it didn’t.

The Hogs very much have an opportunity to do that with games against Auburn and Missouri this week. Double Tigers action. We love to see it, don’t we?

14. LSU Tigers 

Last week’s ranking: 15 (+1)

Record: 14-12 (3-10)

Last week: L at Arkansas (70-58), W at Oklahoma (82-79), W vs. South Carolina (81-67)

Next week: vs. No. 2 Florida (Feb. 22 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Florida State, at Oklahoma

Bad losses: N/A

Hypothetically, if LSU were to win their next five games, they’re going to the NCAA tournament. I’m not joking. It is a tall task, I know. Their last five games, following their two-game winning streak, are all against ranked opponents. A 19-12 SEC team with a handful of ranked wins? That’s a tournament resume. Of course, ESPN (not the most accurate way of predicting anything, I know, but we ball) gives the Tigers less than a 25.0% chance to win four of those games. But you’ve got to have hope!

The first of those games is against Florida at home. Win that game, and everyone else is going to start talking about the Tigers. Let it be know that I was first.

15. Oklahoma Sooners 

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-2)

Record: 16-10 (3-10)

Last week: L at No. 21 Missouri (82-58), L vs. LSU (82-79), L at No. 2 Florida (85-63)

Next week: vs. No. 21 Mississippi State (Feb. 22 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Arizona, vs. Louisville, vs. Michigan, vs. Vanderbilt

Bad losses: vs. LSU

Oklahoma keeps falling. Is there reprieve incoming? Unlikely. Mississippi State comes to town, and the Bulldogs are flying high after a victory over Texas A&M on Tuesday. And the Sooners, once 13-0, are now solidly out of the tournament picture unless they find some late-season magic. (It seems like LSU is stealing all of that.) If there is a silver lining, this team actually has four really solid wins on their resume.

This week, another matchup with a ranked opponent awaits. Mississippi State, fresh off victories against Ole Miss and Texas A&M, come to Norman. Good luck, Oklahoma.

16. South Carolina Gamecocks 

Last week’s ranking: 16 (-1)

Record: 10-16 (0-13)

Last week: L vs. No. 19 Ole Miss (72-68), L at No. 3 Florida (88-67), L at LSU (81-67)

Next week: vs. Texas (Feb. 22 – 8:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. Clemson

Bad losses: vs. North Florida

I actually waited until the LSU-South Carolina game concluded to write this section because I thought there was a small but still-existent chance that the Gamecocks could steal their first victory of 2025 in Baton Rouge. But I was mistaken. South Carolina lost by double-digits and forgot the most important rules of basketball: put the ball in the hoop and don’t give it to the opponent. 0-2 in that regard. I don’t know if this is intentional, but since the 2021-22 season, South Carolina and LSU have primarily played each other around the same time every year.

2021-22: Feb. 19, 2022, SC def. LSU, 77-75

2022-23: Feb. 18, 2023, SC def. LSU, 82-73

2023-24: Feb. 17, 2024, LSU def. SC, 64-63

2024-25: Feb. 18, 2025, LSU def. SC, 81-67

In those four meeting, LSU has outscored South Carolina 293-289. These are two very typically even squads.