We’re three weeks into SEC play, and the landscape is already starting to shift. Some teams are rising, others are scrambling to find their footing, and the latest SEC basketball power rankings reflect just how competitive this conference has become.
Here’s how the teams stack up in this week’s poll:
1. Florida (9 first-place votes)
2. Vanderbilt (1)
3. Alabama
4. Georgia (1)
5. Arkansas
6. Kentucky
T-7. Tennessee
T-7. Texas A&M
9. Auburn
10. Missouri
11. Texas
12. Ole Miss
13. LSU
14. Oklahoma
15. Mississippi State
16. South Carolina
Florida Back on Top
Florida has reclaimed the No. 1 spot, and they didn’t do it quietly. The Gators put up 96 points in a convincing win over Oklahoma early in the week, then followed it up with a gritty 98-94 win over Vanderbilt - the team that held the top spot just a week ago. That kind of firepower on both ends of the floor is what makes Florida look like a legitimate threat as we move deeper into conference play.
Vanderbilt, Georgia Earn No. 1 Votes Despite Setbacks
Vanderbilt still earned a first-place vote, even after a rough week that saw them drop games to Texas (80-64) and Florida. The Commodores are clearly respected for their body of work, but they’ll need to bounce back quickly to stay in the upper tier.
Georgia also picked up a first-place vote, which might raise some eyebrows considering they lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Ole Miss (97-95) midweek. But they responded with authority, taking down Arkansas 90-76 on Saturday. That kind of resilience - especially against a quality opponent - is what keeps them in the top five.
Ole Miss Makes the Biggest Climb
No team made a bigger leap this week than Ole Miss. The Rebels jumped three spots after a pair of nail-biting wins - first edging Georgia in overtime and then squeaking past Mississippi State 68-67.
It wasn’t always pretty, but two wins in a week where every possession matters? That’s how you climb the ladder in a crowded SEC.
Kentucky Finds Its Groove
Kentucky is also trending in the right direction. The Wildcats moved up two spots after two tight wins - a 75-74 victory over LSU and an 80-78 thriller against Tennessee. These weren’t dominant performances, but they were gutsy, and in a conference this deep, sometimes grit matters more than margin.
Oklahoma, Mississippi State Slide
While some teams are climbing, others are slipping. Oklahoma and Mississippi State both dropped two spots this week.
The Sooners had a tough draw, falling to Florida on Tuesday and then losing a close one to Alabama (83-81) on Saturday. Mississippi State, meanwhile, got overwhelmed by Alabama (97-82) and then couldn’t close against Ole Miss.
That’s a tough week, and it shows in the rankings.
Other Movers
Florida, Georgia, and LSU each moved up one spot, continuing to build momentum. On the flip side, no team made a dramatic fall, but the bottom tier is starting to form with South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma rounding out the final three spots.
What’s Ahead in the SEC
The action doesn’t slow down this week. Tuesday’s slate is packed, featuring:
- LSU at Florida
- Oklahoma at South Carolina
- Georgia at Missouri
- Vanderbilt at Arkansas
- Auburn at Ole Miss
Then on Wednesday:
- Texas at Kentucky
- Mississippi State at Texas A&M
And Saturday brings a full lineup:
- Ole Miss at Kentucky
- Georgia at Texas
- Oklahoma at Missouri
- South Carolina at Texas A&M
- Auburn at Florida
- Vanderbilt at Mississippi State
- Tennessee at Alabama
- LSU at Arkansas
It’s shaping up to be another critical week in the SEC, where every win feels like it could swing the balance of power. With Florida firing on all cylinders, Kentucky finding its rhythm, and teams like Ole Miss and Georgia proving they’re not going anywhere, the road to March is only getting more intense. Buckle up.