The SEC basketball season is heating up, and as we near the midway point of conference play, the standings are starting to reflect the real contenders-and a few surprises. A handful of teams have already begun to separate themselves from the pack, showing the kind of early-season form that could carry them deep into March.
One of those teams is Alabama. Despite a tough 79-73 home loss to Tennessee over the weekend, the Crimson Tide remain very much in the mix.
Now sitting at 13-6 overall and 3-3 in SEC play, Alabama has shown flashes of what makes them dangerous: a high-octane offense, a deep rotation, and the ability to hang with anyone in the conference. But inconsistency has been the theme so far, and in a league as competitive as the SEC, every slip matters.
Alabama isn’t alone in the conversation at the top. Texas A&M has emerged as the early frontrunner, currently sitting at 6-1 in conference play.
The Aggies have found a rhythm, leaning on physical defense and a disciplined half-court offense to grind out wins. They’ve been one of the more consistent squads through the first few weeks, and if they keep this up, they’ll be tough to chase down.
Right behind them is a logjam of contenders. Florida, the defending national champions, are part of a three-way tie for second place at 5-2, alongside Arkansas and Kentucky.
The Gators have carried over their championship pedigree into this season, showing poise in close games and a balanced attack that makes them a threat on both ends. Kentucky, meanwhile, continues to reload with young talent, and Arkansas has quietly built a resume that deserves more attention.
The middle of the pack is as crowded as ever. Georgia, Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Auburn are all tied at 4-3, each team showing they’re capable of playing spoiler-or making a run of their own. Auburn, in particular, has the kind of athleticism and depth that could cause problems down the stretch.
Tennessee and Alabama find themselves tied at 3-3, right in the thick of things. For the Vols, the win over Alabama was a much-needed boost, and it showed they can still be a force when they put it all together. Alabama, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid falling behind in a conference that won’t wait for anyone.
Further down, Texas and Ole Miss sit at 3-4, still within striking distance but needing to string together wins soon. South Carolina and Mississippi State are both 2-5, while LSU and Oklahoma are bringing up the rear at 1-6.
Here’s how the SEC standings look as of now:
SEC Basketball Standings (Conference Record)
1.
Texas A&M (6-1)
T-2.
Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky (5-2)
T-5.
Georgia, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Auburn (4-3)
T-9.
Tennessee, Alabama (3-3)
T-11.
Texas, Ole Miss (3-4)
T-13.
South Carolina, Mississippi State (2-5)
T-15.
LSU, Oklahoma (1-6)
With plenty of games still to play, these standings are far from final. But if the early weeks are any indication, the SEC is once again shaping up to be one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. Whether it's Alabama trying to climb back into the upper tier or Texas A&M trying to hold off the pack, the road to the regular-season crown is going to be a battle every step of the way.