A little more than halfway through the Southeastern Conference’s regular-season schedule, The Daily Reveille ranked the top seven of 14 SEC teams.
No. 1 Texas A&M • 18-4, 7-2 SEC
After last night’s 77-60 loss against Vanderbilt, Texas A&M’s record no longer stands alone in the conference of growing heavyweights, but its play on the court does. The now-No. 8 Aggies rattled off nonconference wins against then-No. 10 Gonzaga, Texas and then-No. 16 Baylor. They then strutted to seven-straight SEC wins before dropping their last two conference games. The Aggies are for real. Expect to see them in the NCAA Tournament.
No. 2 LSU • 14-8, 7-2 SEC
They surely haven’t tallied seven wins in the SEC with ease, but the Tigers — the SEC’s pageant queen with the talent prettiest on paper — fell twice to Florida and Texas A&M on Jan. 9 and Jan. 19, respectively. Team chemistry and mid-game adjustments continue the ride on the struggle bus for LSU, but its up-tempo style combined with its myriad of talent has produced seven wins thus far. But Tiger fans want more, especially from freshman prodigy Ben Simmons.
No. 3 Kentucky • 16-6, 6-3 SEC
As is normal, No. 20 Kentucky has a young team after last year’s group left for the NBA. The Wildcats are inexperienced, and haven’t figured out how to play together — yet. Sure, the SEC’s goliath didn’t have the league’s hottest start with losses to Auburn, LSU and Tennessee on Tuesday. However, they’re still as intimidating and fierce as they would be if they were undefeated. Don’t count them out — they have too much talent.
No. 4 South Carolina • 19-3, 6-3 SEC
Yes, No. 25 South Carolina has notched the same amount of wins and losses in the SEC as Kentucky. But honestly, the Gamecocks haven’t been challenged much yet and still have tallied losses to Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee — three of the SEC’s weaker teams. With Texas A&M, LSU and Kentucky coming up in successive order, the Gamecocks will be pushed to their limit. We’ll see how serious they actually are as a contender late this season.
No. 5 Florida • 15-7, 6-3 SEC
The Gators’ record isn’t the best. But, trap game, sneak opponent, underdog, whatever you want to call them, they’re it. With wins against West Virginia, LSU and Oklahoma State, the Gators can play. But, they have had lapses late in games, leading them to their three losses against Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.
No. 6 Georgia • 12-8, 5-4 SEC
The Mark Fox led Bulldogs have veteran talent with Yante Maten, Kenny Gaines and Charles Mann. Although the Bulldogs haven’t pulled off many meaningful wins, Tuesday’s feat against South Carolina was a powerful start to a team with huge upside behind veteran scorers.
No. 7 Vanderbilt • 13-9, 5-4 SEC
Other than its win against Tennessee on Jan. 20, Vanderbilt, a talented and big team, can’t figure it out in SEC road games. The Commodores are 1-4 when traveling against SEC opponents this season and, in contrast, has only one loss at home against LSU. Vanderbilt’s size and fundamentally-patient offense was good enough for five SEC wins, but it may need a few big wins against tough opponents to seal a spot in the NIT Tournament, if it’s lucky.
You can reach Christian Boutwell on Twitter @CBoutwell_TDR