by Scott Dean
LSUsports.net
Tennessee remains in first but there is a lot of action in the next five spots as LSUs two blowouts have catapulted them up a couple of spots. The SEC East seems to have a stronghold at the top right now.
THE FAVORITES
SEC Champion – Tennessee
Tennessee blew out Auburn this week to remain the favorite for the SEC Championship. Now if they can beat Kentucky, they will be a game up on everyone in the league. The Vols are in very good shape right now.
SEC West Champion – Auburn
The Tigers are ranked below LSU in the current standings, but still have the inside track on the SEC West title. The only way they will not win the West is if they are swept by LSU and manage to get beat by somebody else.
SEC East Champion – Tennessee
The favorite could change this week with a huge Kentucky-Tennessee match up in Rupp Arena. The winner will control its own destiny while the loser falls back into a battle with Florida for the No. 2 spot.
SEC Coach of the Year – John Brady, LSU
Brady had the biggest win of his coaching career on Saturday, an 86-60 romp over No. 4 Arizona. He has quietly put together a team that can play with anyone in the nation, especially at home. As the Tigers continue to win, look for Brady to get more and more respect.
SEC Player of the Year – Vincent Yarbrough, Tennessee
Vincent Yarbrough has been spectacular in the past couple of weeks and plays for the best team in the league. He is among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and steals. More showings like he had these past two weeks and he could win the award this year.
SEC Freshman of the Year – Donnell Harvey, Florida
Despite not starting, Harvey is still the favorite. However, if Kentucky continues to win with Keith Bogans putting up decent numbers, Bogans could make a run at the award .South Carolinas Chuck Eidson will also receive a lot of votes, but needs his team to win more.
THE TEAMS
1. Tennessee 18-2, 6-1
The Vols proved their worth this week with a 29-point thumping of No. 7 Auburn at home. They then managed to get up for playing South Carolina and held off the Gamecocks upset bid. A road game at Kentucky is crucial for the Vols this week in the SEC race. They have had much success in Lexington lately and will need to continue that to stay in front of the SEC.
Last Week: 1st
2. Kentucky 15-5, 5-1
With two road wins last week, Kentucky has built a five-game win streak and has won 10 of 11. The Wildcats have a huge home game with Tennessee Tuesday night that will give one team a clear advantage in the race for the SEC title. Jamal Magloire will have to play well and Keith Bogans will be relied on to stop Tony Harris for the Cats to have a chance.
Last Week: 3rd
3. Florida 15-4, 4-2
The Gators wasted a tremendous comeback at DePaul last week before exacting revenge on Vanderbilt. An errant pass at games end left Florida on the wrong side of a two-point decision after coming back from 21 points down against DePaul. The 26-point win over Vanderbilt shows how good Florida can be. South Carolina and Georgia will sacrifice themselves to the Gators this week before Florida meets Kentucky next Tuesday.
Last Week: 5th
4. LSU 16-3, 3-3
LSU looked like a top 10 team this week in blowing out Arkansas, 96-75, and No. 4 Arizona, 86-60. The Tigers used their balance to dismantle their opponents as Brian Beshara had 23 against the Hogs and Stromile Swift put up 29 on the Wildcats. However, LSU has yet to win on the road, but will get golden opportunities to end that streak this week. Games at Alabama and Mississippi State are must wins if LSU wants to stay alive in the race for the SEC West.
Last Week: 6th
5. Auburn 17-3, 5-2
The Tigers fall all the way to fifth after Tennessee manhandled them on Tuesday night. Auburns defense, which must be a force for it to win, didnt show up and the Vols put up 105 points. Porter put in 25 points, but much of that was after the game was decided. His early foul trouble gave Tennessee the run they needed to put away the Tigers. Two home games this week should be winnable before Auburn hits the road again for huge games with LSU and Vandy.
Last Week: 2nd
6. Vanderbilt 13-4, 4-3
The Commodores seem to have lost their January magic as they have lost two of three and barely squeaked by South Carolina. However, this is still a team that will be tough to face. Their schedule now gets much easier with games against Georgia and Mississippi State this week. They still need four more conference wins to make the NCAA Tournament.
Last Week: 4th
7. Alabama 10-8, 3-3
Alabama blasted Ole Miss at home in its only game last week to move to .500 in the conference. The Tide most likely wont make the NCAA Tournament because of too many early season losses, but it still has a shot. The Tides shot begins this week with games against Auburn and LSU, both of whom are currently in the top 25.
Last Week: 7th
8. Arkansas 11-8, 3-3
Arkansas was embarrassed on Wednesday at LSU as they gave up 96 points and held the ball at the end to prevent the Tigers from reaching the century mark. However, The Razorbacks dont drop because nobody did anything to move ahead of them. They will need a win at Ole Miss on Wednesday this week to gain some momentum as they head to Auburn for what could be a key SEC West match-up.
Last Week: 8th
9. Mississippi State 11-8, 2-4
In one game this past week, Mississippi State failed to make a statement. The Bulldogs didnt get blown out by Auburn, but werent able to keep it close throughout the game and give themselves a chance to win. With home games against LSU and Tennessee this week, State gets two more chances to get a quality win to impress the NCAA selection committee.
Last Week: 9th
10. Georgia 9-11, 2-5
The Bulldogs came close this past week in losing to Kentucky and Villanova. They have been tough against many opponents but have just been unable to pull it out at the end. Watch for them to pull an upset before the season is over. Perhaps Wednesday against Vanderbilt, but probably not against Florida on Sunday.
Last Week: 11th
11. Ole Miss 13-7, 1-6
The Rebels followed up their upset win of Auburn with a 29-point loss to Alabama. Not quite what they were looking for. They have home games against Arkansas and South Carolina this week which they need to win. Ole Miss is virtually out of the NCAA Tournament picture, but an NIT bid is still up for grabs.
Last Week: 10th
12. South Carolina 9-11, 1-6
South Carolina has lost six in a row. They played well this past week in nearly upsetting Vanderbilt and falling to Tennessee by just seven. It doesnt get much easier for Eddie Fogler as the Gamecocks get Florida and Kentucky this week.
Last Week: 12th