SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling, and Who’s Running Out of Time
The SEC is a living, breathing organism this season-constantly shifting, reshaping, and redefining itself week by week. Some teams are catching fire, others are cooling off fast, and a few are just trying to hold on for dear life. Let’s break down the latest power rankings and get a read on the pulse of the conference.
1. Texas A&M - “Bucky Ball” Breaks the SEC
Buckle up. Bucky McMillan has officially arrived, and the Aggies are playing with a tempo that’s leaving opponents gasping for air.
His first-year squad is relentless-full-court pressure, constant substitutions, and a pace that feels more like a track meet than a basketball game. Georgia had no answers, and Rashaun Agee (18 points, 15 boards) was the steadying force in the middle, cleaning up the chaos.
Right now, A&M’s system is the most disruptive-and arguably the most dangerous-in the league.
2. Florida - Reloaded, Not Rebuilding
Forget the idea of a transition year in Gainesville. Todd Golden’s squad just dropped a 100-piece on Alabama in a game that was never close.
No Clayton, no Richard? No problem.
Alex Condon has emerged as a frontcourt star, and the new-look backcourt is playing with a freedom and pace that fits this team’s identity perfectly. This wasn’t just a win-it was a loud, definitive statement.
Florida’s not waiting around for next year. They’re here now.
3. Vanderbilt - Back from the Brink
After a rough stretch, Vanderbilt responded with a vengeance-blasting Kentucky by 25 in a statement win that turned heads across the conference. That “Touch Money” performance was followed by a gritty road victory over Ole Miss, powered by Tyler Tanner’s 24 points.
Mark Byington’s squad is back in the hunt for a double-bye in the SEC Tournament, and they’re doing it with toughness and swagger.
4. Kentucky - The SEC’s Jekyll and Hyde
No team embodies inconsistency quite like Kentucky. One day, they’re getting run out of the gym by Vanderbilt.
A few days later, they walk into Bud Walton Arena and physically dominate Arkansas in the so-called “Calipari Bowl.” Otega Oweh was a force in that bounce-back win, dropping 24 points and grabbing 8 boards.
The Wildcats are erratic, but when they’re locked in, they can beat anyone.
5. Arkansas - Slipping at Home
It was a tale of two games for the Razorbacks. They picked up a solid road win at Oklahoma, led by Darius Acuff Jr., but then came home and laid an egg against Kentucky, snapping a 17-game winning streak at Bud Walton Arena.
The “White Out” crowd never got into it, and the defense looked shaky. This team has the talent, but the consistency just isn’t there right now.
6. Tennessee - Elite Defense, But Still Searching
Rick Barnes’ squad went 2-0 this week, but they slide a spot because of Florida’s explosive performance. Still, the Vols showed their grit-surviving a scare against Georgia thanks to Ja'Kobi Gillespie and then taking care of business against Auburn behind Nate Ament’s 22 points.
The defense remains top-tier, and Tennessee is still firmly in the mix as a contender. But questions remain about whether they can string together complete performances against the league’s best.
7. Auburn - Dangerous, But Drifting
Auburn started the week strong with a win over Texas, fueled by Keyshawn Hall’s 31-point explosion. But they couldn’t carry that momentum into Knoxville, where they ran into Tennessee’s defensive buzzsaw.
Steven Pearl’s team is talented and tough, but they’re starting to slide toward the middle of the pack. They need a signature win soon to stay in the upper tier.
8. Alabama - Trust Issues
Nate Oats’ team is a rollercoaster. One game, they’re blowing out Missouri.
The next, they’re getting torched by Florida and giving up 100 points. That kind of defensive performance is a red flag for a team with postseason hopes.
At .500 in the SEC, Alabama has talent-but they need to find some consistency before March.
9. Missouri - Quietly Climbing
Mizzou got run over by Alabama earlier in the week, but bounced back with a gritty road win at Mississippi State. Jayden Epps poured in 23, and Mark Mitchell continues to be a steady presence.
At 5-4 in league play, Dennis Gates has this group punching above its weight and sitting comfortably in the top half of the standings.
10. Texas - Swain Shines, But Help Wanted
Dailyn Swain is putting up superstar numbers-30 points against Auburn, 18 more against Oklahoma-but he’s doing it without much support. Texas is competitive in every game, but they can’t seem to string together stops when it matters most.
A win over Oklahoma keeps them in the conversation, but they’re firmly on the bubble and need more than just Swain’s heroics to stay afloat.
11. Georgia - Close, But Not Enough
It was a brutal 0-2 week for the Bulldogs, but context matters. They pushed Tennessee to overtime and then had to face the SEC’s hottest team in Texas A&M.
Kanon Catchings continues to shine, but Georgia needs to start stacking wins soon-or risk falling into the bottom tier.
12. Mississippi State - Hanging by a Thread
Chris Jans’ squad finally stopped the bleeding with a win over LSU, thanks to Josh Hubbard, but the loss to Mizzou stings. The Bulldogs are fighting to stay relevant, but the margin for error is razor-thin right now.
13. LSU - A Gritty Step Forward
Matt McMahon’s team showed some heart this week, rallying to beat South Carolina in overtime behind Michael Nwoko. It’s a small step, but a second league win is something to build on.
The Tigers are still in the basement, but they’re not going down without a fight.
14. Ole Miss - Close, But Still Coming Up Short
It’s been a season of “almost” for Chris Beard’s squad. They battled hard against Vanderbilt but couldn’t close the deal.
Malik Dia is doing his part, but he needs more help on the offensive end. The Rebels are competitive, but that’s not translating into wins.
15. South Carolina - Rock Bottom
A 47-point loss to Florida is the kind of defeat that sticks with a team-and not in a good way. Add in an overtime loss to LSU, and it’s clear the wheels are wobbling in Columbia.
Lamont Paris is running out of answers, and fast.
16. Oklahoma - The Bottom Falls Out
Nijel Pack is scoring-he dropped 23 against Texas-but it’s not enough. The Sooners are 1-8 in SEC play and firmly planted at the bottom of the standings.
The pressure is mounting, and unless something drastic changes, time may be running out in Norman.
Final Takeaway:
The SEC is a grind this year-top to bottom.
There’s no easy night, no guaranteed win, and no room for complacency. Teams like Texas A&M and Florida are surging at the right time, while others like Alabama and Arkansas are still searching for consistency.
One thing is clear: the race to March is heating up, and every game from here on out is going to matter.