Tuesday, March 11, 2008

SEC Power Rankings

Before the SEC Tournament kicks off in the ATL on Thursday, I figured it'd be good to see where each team stands. Disagree? As always, leave your comments below...

1) Tennessee (28-3, 14-2)
The Vols may have captured their first SEC regular season title since 1967, but can they find success in the league tournament later this week? They're 7-16 since 1992, including 0-3 as the No. 1 seed.

2) Mississippi State (21-9, 12-4)
Despite a slow start, the Bulldogs ultimately lived up to their preseason hype. With the SEC's best defense (65 points per game) and phenom Jamont Gordon running the offense, I doubt any team wants to face State in the Big Dance.

3) Vanderbilt (25-6, 10-6)

How do you follow up a thrilling overtime victory over Mississippi State on Senior Night? By losing at lowly Alabama. An amazing home team (19-0) and dismal road team, the Commodores' seed will be determined by their performance on a neutral site in Atlanta.

4) Kentucky (20-10, 12-4)
Somewhere Ashley Judd is beaming. Somehow these Wildcats are headed to the NCAA Tournament. On another note, other than Gardner-Webb, their early losses (UAB, at Houston, San Diego), aren't terrible, especially when you take all the injuries into account.

5) Ole Miss (21-9, 7-9)

The 2008 version of Arkansas may need to string together a few victories in Atlanta to secure a bid, but regardless, you have to commend Andy Kennedy for the job he's done with a Rebel squad that was expected to finish last in the league.

6) Arkansas (20-10, 9-7)

This team continues to confuse me. Clearly talented enough to be in the tourney, the Razorbacks can never seem to put it all together. They've lost three of five and will probably need to beat Auburn/Vanderbilt on Friday to stay in contention for a bid.

7) Florida (21-10, 8-8)

To steal a line from Rick Pitino, Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer aren't walking through that door. The Gator Boys have lost seven of 10, with their victories coming against Georgia (twice) and South Carolina, and will probably not even have a chance to go back-to-back-to-back.

8) LSU (13-17, 6-10)

Want proof that LSU made the right decision in firing lunatic John Brady? The Tigers were 1-6 in SEC play with him and 5-4 without him. On a completely random note, LSU has to be the skinniest team in the league. They've got guys 6'10, 205, 6'10, 218 and 6'11, 205. That means if I'm 5'10 (on a good day), I should weigh about 27 pounds, right?

9) Alabama (16-15, 5-11)

At least the Crimson Tide were able to celebrate Senior Night, upsetting Vandy in overtime. Here's to hoping point guard Ronald Steele makes a full comeback next season.

10) South Carolina (13-17, 5-11)

Two things that are true: Devan Downey gives opposing teams headaches and Little Davey Odom (read John Feinstein's A March to Madness) will be missed.

11) Georgia (13-16, 4-12)

It's been a long season for the Bulldogs and coach Dennis Felton is on the hot seat. One quick question: Can Knowshon Moreno play basketball?

12) Auburn (14-15, 4-12)

Wait, Auburn still has a basketball team? Football fans have already begun salivating over offensive coordinator Tony Franklin and the new-look offense.

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