BATON ROUGE — Tennessee takes over the top spot with a thrilling double-overtime win at Florida. The race is far from over though as the Vols visit Auburn this week. With Auburn’s loss to Ole Miss, there is a much better shot of a new SEC West champion being crowned this year, but don’t look for it.
THE FAVORITES
SEC Champion – Tennessee
Tennessee made a big statement with a win at Florida. Unfortunately for the Vols, they still have to face Vanderbilt on the road, Kentucky twice and Florida again. All that after a date with Auburn this Tuesday. A win there would boost their position in the race significantly.
SEC West Champion – Auburn
Auburn proved they were human with the loss to Ole Miss this past week and opened the door slightly for a race to take place in the Western Division. The Tigers lack of ability to put away an opponent finally caught up with them in the loss. They could make a statement with a win over Tennessee on Tuesday.
SEC East Champion – Tennessee
The race for the East title is the toughest it has been in since the league split. Four teams are ranked in the top 25 and have the ability to play with anyone in the country. Tennessee took an big step with the win over Florida. Kentucky’s win over Vanderbilt also helped them keep pace in this tight race.
SEC Coach of the Year – John Brady, LSU
Brady has resurrected the LSU program despite NCAA sanctions. While his Tigers have lost three in a row, all three were to top 25 teams with two coming down to the final minute. His young team will continue to get better and should be dancing come March for the first time since 1993. They will have to play better down the stretch though or the award could fall into the hands of Kevin Stallings of Vanderbilt.
SEC Player of the Year – Dan Langhi, Vanderbilt
He only played one game this week and was not spectacular, but Langhi is still the favorite for player of the year. However, if Jamal Magloire continues his romp through the league, he would stake a claim for the honor.
SEC Freshman of the Year – Donnell Harvey, Florida
Harvey is the sixth man on a very deep Florida squad. He was nearly the only highlight in Florida’s loss. He had 19 points and 12 rebounds against one of the best frontcourts in the league. But he will need more performances like that to hold off Joe Johnson of Arkansas who is quickly becoming a star.
THE TEAMS
1. Tennessee 16-2, 4-1
Tennessee makes the big jump all the way to the number one spot after its thrilling double- overtime win at Florida. The Vols got 22 points from Isaih Victor, including the game-tying shot at the end of regulation. Vincent Yarbrough was also big with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Since the win, Tennessee has had a week to prepare for Auburn at home. A win would solidify the Vols top spot here.
Last Week: 5th
2. Auburn 15-2, 4-1
Auburn drops a spot after losing on the road to Ole Miss on Saturday. The Tigers poor shooting finally came back to haunt them as they shot only 38.7% in the loss. A 65-61 home win on Wednesday is no more impressive for Cliff Ellis’ Tigers. They must face Tennessee on the road this Tuesday in a game they need to win to keep pace. Chris Porter will have to have more production than six points and four rebounds, which he had against Ole Miss.
Last Week: 1st
3 Kentucky 13-5, 4-1
The Wildcats are fall to the third spot only because of the play of Tennessee. Kentucky held off Ole Miss at home in the first game of the week before surviving for a huge road win over Vanderbilt. Jamal Magloire has been a force in the middle, posting double-doubles in each of his past two games. The Wildcats have two winnable games this week at Georgia and at Miami (Fla.).
Last Week: 2nd
4. Vanderbilt 12-3, 3-2
In its only game of the week, Vanderbilt lost a tough overtime game to Kentucky. The Commodores made a much better showing this time than their previous defeat to Kentucky. Vandy, who lives and dies by the three, shot only 5-27 in the game from behind the arc. They must improve that and their rebounding to win at South Carolina and Florida this week.
Last Week: 3rd
5. Florida 14-3, 3-2
Florida failed in a must win situation against Tennessee at home on Tuesday. The Gators didn’t get the production from Mike Miller, 13 points, that they need. He was virtually non-existent down the stretch as the Gators were unable to put away the Vols. They were able to rebound with a tough road win at Alabama, but Florida needs to play better to beat DePaul and Vanderbilt this week.
Last Week: 4th
6. LSU 14-3, 2-3
LSU didn’t play to its potential in a four-point win over Georgia on Wednesday. The Tigers were led by Stromile Swift’s 15 points and 10 rebounds in his first good game since the conference opener. However, LSU lacked the explosive spurt that it desperately needs to put teams away late in games. With Arkansas coming to Baton Rouge., on Wednesday, the Tigers better be ready to play. They follow that with an out-of-conference showdown with Arizona.
Last Week: 6th
7. Alabama 9-8, 2-3
The Tide got a big win over Arkansas to vault themselves into the seven spot. They also played well in a 4-point loss to Florida on Saturday. The Tide has Ole Miss in a must-win at home on Wednesday before it heads to in-state rival Auburn for a game it has been blown out of the past two years.
Last Week: 11th
8. Arkansas 11-7, 3-2
Arkansas dropped a spot following the road loss to Alabama on Wednesday. The Razorbacks came back nicely with a 10-point win over Mississippi State on Saturday. The Hogs have received a big boost by the play of freshman Joe Johnson who averaged 25 points last week. If Arkansas can get a road win against LSU or Ole Miss this week, they vastly improve their chances to go to the NCAA tournament.
Last Week: 7th
9. Mississippi State 11-7, 2-3
Mississippi State falls to the No. 9 spot following a 10-point road loss to Arkansas. The Bulldogs 22 turnovers is not a good sign for them as they head to Auburn and the SEC’s best defense this week. The Bulldogs will need to protect the ball much better and hope to force Auburn into another bad shooting day.
Last Week: 8th
10. Ole Miss 13-6, 1-5
Ole Miss surprised everyone on Saturday with an upset of fourth-ranked Auburn at home. That only four days after falling to Kentucky by just five points in Rupp Arena. The Rebels may be finding themselves and still have a chance to earn an NCAA tournament bid. If they can get wins over Alabama and Arkansas this week, they will be in the hunt. Marcus Hicks will have to step up like he did at Kentucky — 27 points, 10 rebounds — and Jason Harrison must continue to be the sparkplug at the point.
Last Week: 12th
11. Georgia 9-9, 2-4
Georgia blew out South Carolina at home on Saturday after giving LSU a scare in Baton Rouge last week. If not for the Ole Miss performance last week, the Bulldogs would be higher. D.A. Layne is beginning to step up as the go to player for Jim Harrick. Georgia gets a break from conference play with a game at Villanova before hosting Vanderbilt on Saturday. A win over the Commodores would be huge for Harrick in his first season.
Last Week: 9th
12. South Carolina 9-9, 1-4
The Gamecocks drop to last after being blown out at Georgia and falling to Auburn. South Carolina has one player in Chuck Eidson that they can count on. Now someone else needs to step up for them to salvage this season. South Carolina faces Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky in its next four. Don’t expect a win until the Gamecocks are at least 1-8 in SEC play.
Last Week: 10th