(2/22/00)
Florida takes over the top spot this week in one of few changes throughout the league. Despite not owning the top spot, Tennessee is still the favorite for the closely contested SEC title. LSU remains the SEC West favorite while the Tigers John Brady is a lock for coach of the year.
THE FAVORITES
SEC Champion – Tennessee
Tennesssee fell back into into a four-way tie for the SEC lead with Auburn, Kentucky and Florida this past week after falling to Vanderbilt. But the Vols still hold the advantage as the schedule winds down. Their toughest game left if Kentucky at home.
SEC West Champion – LSU
The SEC West race is going to come down to Auburn and LSU next Wednesday in Auburn. The winner of that game will most likely end up outright West champion. The way LSU is playing now, it doesnt look as if Auburn can play with them.
SEC East Champion – Tennessee
The loss to Vanderbilt reopened the race for the SEC East crown, but Tennessee is still the favorite. Florida must travel to Kentucky while Kentucky must travel to the Vols. The Vols should win out and take the East title.
SEC Coach of the Year – John Brady, LSU
Two more wins, a blowout at Ole Miss and a solid 11-point win at Arkansas, have Bradys Tigers continuing to climb into the national spotlight. He should runaway with the award.
SEC Player of the Year – Dan Langhi, Vanderbilt
Without Langhi, Vanderbilt would be below .500 without hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid. With him, the Commodores have beaten Tennessee twice, Florida and LSU and are a near lock for March Madness. He had 17 in the upset of Tennessee last week.
SEC Freshman of the Year – Joe Johnson, Arkansas
Johnson has continued to be a star on a down Arkansas team this year. In conference games (which are just about all he has played), Johnson is among the SEC leaders in scoring and has been the Razorbacks go-to player for the past month in a half.
THE TEAMS
1. Florida 18-5, 7-3
The Gators escaped Fayetteville with a win on Wednesday before Pummeling Mississippi State this weekend. Florida has continued to be a very balanced team which allows them to play well even if one player isnt playing well. Saturdays home game against Auburn is a big one for the Gators.
Last Week: 2nd
2. Tennessee 21-3, 9-2
Tennessee falls after dropping its second game of the year to Vanderbilt. The Vols were unable to stop forward Anthony Williams in the match up and that cost them the game. They must rebound against Kentucky this week to keep hopes alive of an SEC championship.
Last Week: 1st
3. LSU 19-4, 6-4
LSU continued to roll with a 44-point thrashing of Ole Miss on Wednesday followed by its first victory ever in Fayetteville. Stromile Swift played sparingly in the win over Arkansas which proves that LSU is more than a one man team. Two more winnable games this week against South Carolina and Mississippi State would set up the Tigers for a battle with Auburn next week with the SEC West title on the line.
Last Week: 3rd
4. Auburn 19-4, 7-3
Auburn survived twice this past week against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss. While the Tigers have not been able to beat anyone convincingly, they always seem to find a way to win, just like they did this past week. They get a tune up at Alabama on Wednesday before crucial games at Florida and at home against LSU following that.
Last Week: 4th
5. Kentucky 17-7, 7-3
Kentucky pulled out wins against Alabama and Georgia to stay among the leaders this past week. However, the Wildcats were not impressive in either victory. They continue to ride the shoulders of Jamal Magloire who leads the team in rebounding and is its only inside threat. Florida comes to Rupp Arena in an SEC Showdown that will have major implications in the final SEC standings.
Last Week: 5th
6. Vanderbilt 16-5, 6-4
Another upset win over Tennessee followed a disappointing overtime loss to Auburn for the Commodores this week. Vanderbilt should be very happy to get a split out of that weekend and they basically clinched an NCAA Tournament bid with the win over Tennessee. Dan Langhi continues to be the heart of the team, but if Anthony Williams continues to produce (22 points vs. Tennessee) then Vandy could surprise some people come march.
Last Week: 6th
7. Arkansas 13-10, 5-5
The Razorbacks suffered back-to-back home losses for the first time ever in Bud Walton Arena this past week to Florida and LSU. Arkansas put up valiant efforts in both games, but was just beaten by better teams. The Hogs will look to end the streak on Wednesday against Vanderbilt. Following that they travel to Rupp Arena for a game that they will not be expected to win. However, Arkansas still has an outside shot at the NCAA Tournament. They just need wins this week.
Last Week: 8th
8. Alabama 11-11, 4-6
The Crimson Tide battled Kentucky in Rupp Arena this past week before being blown out by South Carolina. Thats right, South Carolina. Alabama has lost five of six and will probably make that seven of eight after dates with Auburn and Tennessee this week.
Last Week: 7th
9. Mississippi State 12-11, 3-7
Mississippi State has lost five in a row after dropping a one-point decision to South Carolina and being blown out at Florida. The Bulldogs have a rival game on Wednesday against Ole Miss that is a must win if they want to keep hopes alive of an NIT bid. Saturday, they travel to LSU, where the Tigers will be foaming at the mouth for revenge for the 68-66 loss they suffered earlier this season on Derek Zimmermans prayer.
Last Week: 7th
10. South Carolina 9-14, 1-9
The Gamecocks ended their nine-game losing streak with two wins this week. A sqeaker over Mississippi State and a blowout of Alabama began South Carolinas four-game home stand that ends this week against LSU and Georgia. Every win this young team gets through the end of the season can only help it for the future.
Last Week: 12th
11. Georgia 10-14, 3-8
Georgia pushed Kentucky to the edge in Rupp Arena this past week in its only game. The 70-64 loss was the Bulldogs sixth in seven games. Florida will visit Athens give Georgia a loss this week before the Bulldogs go to South Carolina for a game they should win.
Last Week: 10th
10. Ole Miss 15-8, 3-7
The Rebels were humiliated by LSU on Wednesday last week, 97-53, before fighting Auburn to the wire during the weekend. A three-point loss on the plains is a big step for the Rebels who have a road game against Mississippi State and a home date with Vanderbilt this week. A split would huge for the Rebels to give them confidence as they head into March.
Last Week: 11th