Floridas hold on the top spot solidifies with two blowout wins this week. LSU makes the move to No. 2 after Tennessee falls to Alabama. Auburn drops way down with two losses as well as the loss of one Chris Porter.
THE FAVORITES
SEC Champion – Florida
The title is Floridas to lose. Unfortunately the Gators have one more test left. Should they fail, there could be a tie with up to four teams (Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, LSU). That test is no small one: Defeat Kentucky in Rupp Arena on Senior Day. But it is not impossible as Eddie Fogler and South Carolina showed a few years back by clinching the SEC championship there.
SEC West Champion – LSU
LSU basically has the West championship locked with Chris Porter not playing for Auburn. The Bengal Tigers should win out while the Auburn Tigers could very well lose out.
SEC East Champion – Florida
Again, it boils down to this weekends meeting with Kentucky for the Gators.
SEC Coach of the Year – John Brady, LSU
LSU is 23-5 and will win the SEC West this year. The Tigers were picked no better than fifth in the division before the season. If anyone other that Brady wins this award it would be a huge injustice.
SEC Player of the Year – Dan Langhi, Vanderbilt
Langhi is a runaway with the scoring title this year and is clearly the most needed player on his team. Vanderbilt, who will most likely earn a trip to the NCAA tournament, has been carried by Langhi.
SEC Freshman of the Year – Joe Johnson, Arkansas
Joe Johnson has been a bright spot in a down year for Arkansas. Despite not becoming eligible until December 23, Johnson has become one of the leagues best players. There is tough competition for the Freshman award this year in Donnell Harvey, Keith Bogans and late comer Rod Grizzard, but Johnson has played his way into the award.
THE TEAMS
1. Florida 22-5, 11-3
Florida is one game away from its first SEC Championship since 1989. All the Gators have to do is win at Kentucky and the outright championship is theirs. The Gators have blown out three straight opponents to solidify their position at the top.
Last Week: 1st
2. Tennessee 22-5, 10-4
Tennessee split this week with a big win over Kentucky but then faltered on the road at Alabama. The Vols Tony Harris was huge in the win over the Wildcats and he will have to continue to play well for Tennessee to make a move in the NCAA Tournament. With three losses in their last four road games, the Vols also need to improve away from Thompson-Boling Arena.
Last Week: 2nd
3. LSU 13-4, 10-4
LSU didnt play particularly well this past week in beating South Carolina and Mississippi State. However, the Tigers showed that they are a fighting team by rallying from 13 down against the Gamecocks to score the win in Columbia. During the weekend, LSU survived a hot-shooting Mississippi State team to run its winning streak to seven. They have a good chance to break Auburns home winning streak this Wednesday and clinch the SEC West Championship.
Last Week: 3rd
4. Kentucky 20-8, 10-4
The Wildcats lost a game tough game against Tennessee this past week before they managed to survive a charged up Arkansas team in Rupp Arena. This weekend on Senior Day, Kentucky will have a chance to make up for the loss to Tennessee with a win over Florida that will give it a share of the SEC Championship. But, the Wildcats will have to be on their game to knock off the red-hot Gators.
Last Week: 5th
5. Vanderbilt 17-8, 7-7
Vanderbilt had been a lock for the NCAA Tournament before losing four of their last five. Now, at 7-7 in the conference, the Commodores must have a win this week to get in. Luckily for them, Georgia and South Carolina will be visiting Memorial Gym. Look for Vandy to finish 9-7 and fourth in the SEC East.
Last Week: 6th
6. Auburn 21-6, 9-5
Auburn lost back-to-back games for the second time this season with losses to Alabama and Florida this past week. However, that seems unimportant with the loss of Chris Porter looming over their collective heads. Porters indefinite suspension leaves Auburn as an above average team that probably wont win another game this year. LSU and Arkansas are both very capable of beating the Tigers.
Last Week: 4th
7. Arkansas 14-13, 6-8
Arkansas rolled over Vanderbilt at home last week to avoid a third straight loss before falling to Kentucky in tough fashion. The Razorback have played extremely well of late, but still have little chance of an NCAA Tournament bid. They would most likely have to win the SEC Tournament to get in. Arkansas has to visit Tennessee Wednesday before hosting depleted Auburn this weekend. Expect a split for Nolan Richardson and an NIT bid to follow.
Last Week: 7th
8. Alabama 13-13, 6-8
Alabama rode the home court advantage to upset wins over Auburn and Tennessee this past week Rod Grizzard has become a standout player in Tuscaloosa, giving the Crimson Tide hope for a successful future. Despite two big upsets in a row, dont look for Alabama to do anything to successful this week when it travels to Ole Miss and Mississippi State. The Crimson Tides 0-8 road record has been its downfall this year.
Last Week: 8th
9. Mississippi State 13-14, 4-10
The Bulldogs have played well lately despite not picking up too many wins. They beat in-state rival Ole Miss last week before scaring LSU in Baton Rouge with a hot-shooting effort. This Tuesday, Mississippi State battled Kentucky at home but came up short in its upset bid. Look for a season closing win at home against Alabama as the Bulldogs are still in the hunt for an NIT bid.
Last Week: 9th
10. South Carolina 12-15, 4-10
South Carolina has won three of four to somewhat salvage a dismal season. The Gamecocks had LSU on the ropes this week, leading by 13 until the Tigers got hot late. For the weekend, Eddie Fogler led his crew to a 16-point victory over Georgia to complete the homestand. Unfortunately for South Carolina, it has to visit Vanderbilt and Florida this week to end the regular season.
Last Week: 10th
11. Ole Miss 16-11, 4-10
Ole Miss, who has played extremely well at home this year, pulled off yet another upset by beating Vanderbilt last week in Oxford. The Rebels are likely to get another win when Alabama comes to visit on Wednesday but still must travel to LSU on Saturday.
Last Week: 12th
12. Georgia 10-17, 3-11
Georgia has lost eight of nine, including a 16-point loss to South Carolina this past week. The Bulldogs played well for a half against Florida before the Gators blew them out in Athens. It wont get much better for them this week as the Dogs have to face Tennessee and Vanderbilt before heading into the SEC Tournament.
Last Week: 11th