Many thought that this conference could compete for the top of the basketball world this season. Those many were not only absolutely correct, they look like geniuses now. The SEC is not only competing for the top spot. They are the top spot and there is a gap the size of the Grand Canyon between them and the Big XII. Coming down the stretch, what can we expect from the SEC?
The media ranked Alabama to come out of the SEC with the top spot and the crown this season followed closely by Auburn, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Arkansas. Let's see where these teams stand compared to the rankings and if we can expect any surprises.
SEC Winners:
The SEC has been an absolute gauntlet, to say the least thus far into the season. The conference has nine teams ranked in the Top 25 in January. While we are only six games into conference play, Auburn has set itself apart as the clear winner chasing the crown. Over their last five games this season, they were all against ranked opponents and they are 6-0 coming into the break. With wins over Tennessee, Mississippi St, Missouri, and Georgia, this team is showing people who they really are and why they are the team to beat.
The preseason favorite to win the conference Alabama has also looked quite impressive early in conference play. The issue, they had a slip-up loss at home to Ole Miss to kick off conference play. After losing to Ole Miss, they went on the road and beat Kentucky while putting up 100 and then handled Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. While they are only half a game back in the conference right now, Auburn simply doesn't look like they are going to slip up. The absolute gauntlet down the stretch for Alabama may be the difference maker between winning the SEC and losing it by two or more games. The Tide do play Auburn at home on 2/15 which may be their saving grace. If they want to win the SEC, they need to throttle Georgia, Arky, and Texas. In the SEC, you cant have a "look ahead" game if you want to be a winner. This conference was expected to be a gauntlet and it has been nothing less.
SEC Surprises:
I will be the first to admit when I am wrong. I predicted this team to put up an absolute stinker this season in the SEC. The conference looked too good and they didn't look like they could keep up preseason. The Mississippi St Bulldogs have proved me wrong to this point. Although they are 4-3 in conference play, tied for 6th in the conference with about half of the conference, they have looked good. At No. 14 in the country currently, this team has proved a lot of people wrong. They have opportunities down the stretch to solidify themselves as true contenders in Feb as they play Alabama 2x, in-state foe Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. I think that Mississippi St may surprise some people in March if they don't combust down the stretch and see themselves miss the field.
This Vanderbilt squad has impressed everyone this season, myself included. The media picked them to finish dead last in the conference. They are 4-3 in conference with wins over Tennessee and Kentuck. The back half of their schedule is going to be A LOT tougher than the first seven games as they play Florida, Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas A&M all on the road. If I told Vanderbilt fans that they would have four wins in the SEC at the end of Jan, I may have been laughed off the block two months ago. While I don't think they make the tournament, I think this team will be very fun for years to come.
SEC Fakers:
We are going to keep this list short and sweet. I think that the hype coming out of Fayetteville for Arkansas was because of the Coach Cal hire and nothing more. This team has one win in conference play and it came against Georgia who is 2-5 in the conference, and quite honestly, it took a missed free throw for them to win the game. I don't think that Coach Cal will get run out of Fayetteville after one season, but I think this will show the media to stop voting based on coaches and actually vote based on the talent that the team is putting on the court to play the game. Coach Cal had zero players on the team in August for Christ's Sake. Did we think that Coach Cal was going to suit up himself?
Recap:
The media was right, for the most part when it came to the SEC. Auburn and Alabama will be at the top of the league come year's end. If Broome's injury lingers long-term, that may be Alabama's opportunity to run away with the conference. Some stalkers in the night are Florida and Missouri, but it is going to take a lot of work on their parts and a trip and fall from both Auburn and Alabama if either of these teams wants a shot at winning the conference. The SEC will likely break the record for most teams in the dance this season. I personally see twelve teams "guaranteed" to make the field at this point but I can see as many as fourteen depending on how the season pans out. If you are ever bored on a Saturday or Tuesday night, tune in to watch any SEC game, you won't be disappointed.
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