(2/2/00)
After the first week of the conference season, not a lot of movement has taken place and none in the top five teams. That could change this week with Georgia taking on Tennessee and Auburn while LSU faces Kentucky. It is a big week in the SEC.
THE FAVORITES
SEC Champion – Georgia
The Bulldogs continued their run with two road wins this past week. They have a legitimate shot at running the table the rest of the way.
SEC Runner-up – Tennessee
Tennessee rolled with wins over Kentucky and NC State this past week. The Lady Vols next four conference games are very winnable before having four tough games to end the season.
SEC Coach of the Year – Sharon Fanning, Mississippi State
The Lady Bulldogs beat a top 10 team in Auburn this past week before nearly beating LSU. Fannings team have a real chance to host the first and second-rounds of the NCAA Tournament this year.
SEC Player of the Year – Kelly Miller, Georgia
Millers Lady Bulldogs are rolling over conference competition. Her sister, Coco, led the team last week but Kelly is still the better of the two. She is among the league leaders in scoring, steals, assists and assist-to-turnover ratio.
SEC Freshman of the Year – LaToya Thomas, Mississippi State
Thomas is easily the best freshman in the league and has her team in fourth in the SEC right now. Even when she doesnt put up huge numbers, she attracts enough attention to free up her teammates.
THE TEAMS
1. Georgia 21-2, 6-1
Georgia stayed in a first place tie in the conference with two road wins this past week. The Lady Bulldogs are past the toughest part of their schedule and have only one big test left, that against Mississippi State this week in Athens, Ga. A win there and it is clear sailing for Georgia to the SEC Championship.
Last Week: 1st
2. Tennessee 16-3, 6-1
The Lady Vols picked up two blowout wins over NC State and Kentucky this past week. They have a non-conference battle with Connecticut before hosting Vanderbilt on Sunday. Tennessee should continue to win handily until they visit Mississippi State on February 17.
Last Week: 2nd
3. LSU 17-3, 6-1
LSU picked up a big win on Sunday by holding off Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss. The win keeps the Lady Tigers in the league lead with a 6-1 conference record. They blew out Centenary on Tuesday before traveling to Auburn for another big road game on Sunday. The Tigers must win to keep pace for the SEC Championship.
Last Week: 3rd
4. Mississippi State 16-3, 5-3
Mississippi State split this week in two tough home games. The Lady Bulldogs knocked off Auburn in overtime before dropping a close game to LSU on Sunday. With two road games, State needs to continue its good play to pick up the victories and keep their hopes of hosting an NCAA Regional alive.
Last Week: 5th
5. Auburn 16-4, 4-3
Auburn lost its second straight conference game at Mississippi State on Thursday to fall back in the standings. The Tigers will have a chance to redeem themselves when LSU comes to town on Sunday. But they cant overlook South Carolina on Thursday.
Last Week: 4th
6. Kentucky 11-9, 3-5
Having lost four in a row, the Lady Wildcats have dug themselves a hole in trying to make the NCAA Tournament. They still need four conference wins to get in. This week at Arkansas and at home against South Carolina will be two crucial games for Kentucky to keep hope alive.
Last Week: 6th
7. Arkansas 12-7, 2-4
Arkansas has won three in a row at home to resurrect their season after a five game losing streak. The LadyBacks have two must win games this week at home against Kentucky and Arkansas. Following that they still have games with LSU, Georgia and twice with Auburn left on the schedule.
Last Week: 8th
8. Alabama 13-6, 3-3
Alabama won twice this past week by a total of three points, but one of those wins was over Kentucky. The Crimson Tide have two tough road games this week in Arkansas and Tennessee this week. They will need to keep the games close to have a chance to pull them out at the end as they have done recently.
Last Week: 11th
9. Vanderbilt 14-5, 2-3
Vanderbilt has nose dived the past three weeks having lost five in a row. It wont get much easier for the Commodores who visit Tennessee this Thursday before getting a home game with Florida on Sunday. The teams offense must be more productive as it has only put up more than 60 points once in the past seven games.
Last Week: 7th
10. Florida 12-6, 3-3
Florida beat South Carolina for its only win this past week. The win was the second over the Gamecocks this season. They get a tune up game in Western Michigan on Tuesday before traveling to Georgia on Thursday and Vanderbilt on Sunday. A win over Vanderbilt will keep Florida at the .500 mark because they have little chance of winning in Athens, Ga.
Last Week: 9th
11. South Carolina 11-9, 1-6
The Gamecocks dropped two in a row this week by 16 points with losses on the road to Arkansas and Florida. Auburn comes to town on Thursday and Ole Miss visits Columbia, S.C. on Sunday. Expect a split for South Carolina with only a win over the Rebels.
Last Week: 10th
12. Ole Miss 11-8, 0-6
Ole Miss lost big to Georgia on Thursday last week before falling to Alabama 69-67 for the second time this season. They have little chance of beating Mississippi State on Thursday but could pick up a win at South Carolina on Sunday.
Last Week: 12th