Through games of Saturday, November 26th
1. Alabama (6-0)
Best win: Purdue
Worst loss: n/a
Is Alabama going to finish the season #1 in the SEC power rankings? No. But so far they’ve been impressive. Against a relatively strong schedule not a single opponent has managed even 0.90 points per possession against Bama’s stout defense. But their downfall is going to come on the other side of the court. Alabama is 205th in eFG% and don’t have anyone who can knock down a three.
2. Kentucky (6-0)
Best win: Kansas
Worst loss: n/a
Kentucky is another team who’s been dominant defensively. The most they’ve allowed is 0.88 per trip to Kansas. The only reason they aren’t #1 in this ranking is because Alabama has played a stronger schedule. Kentucky’s offense is elite, and they’re a team that may be the favorite to win the National Title in March. Anthony Davis has been as advertised, and is converting 71.4% from the field.
3. Florida (4-1)
Best win: Jacksonville
Worst loss: Ohio State
Florida’s offense has been the best in the country, though against suspect competition. Their one blemish is against Ohio State where UF scored 1.06 per possession and allowed 1.16. Their stable of excellent guards have led to a 43.6% conversion rate on 3s, and the team is extending possessions by rebounding 43.1% of its own misses (10th nationally). The chink in their armor is a 60.8 FT%.
4. Mississippi State (6-1)
Best win: Texas A&M
Worst loss: Akron
The Bulldogs lost to Akron, but made up for it with wins over Texas A&M and Arizona, two wins that will look very solid come Tourney time. On offense, they’re taking care of the ball (72nd nationally) and scoring on 52.6% of their 2s (56th). On defense they’re #1 in the country at keeping teams off the foul line, which has long been a staple of Rick Stansbury’s teams. Freshman Rodney Hood has been all that was hoped, and is scoring 13.3 ppg by being highly efficient. Hood is 66% on his 2s and 42% on his 3s.
5. Vanderbilt (5-1)
Best win: NC State
Worst loss: Cleveland State
Without a suspended (and injured) Festus Ezeli, it’s no surprise to find Vandy this low on the SEC power rankings. Of the players currently averaging more than 10 minutes a game, none stand over 6’9. The Commodores’ goal should be to avoid bad losses while he’s out. So far, so good (though Cleveland State is veering that way). Vanderbilt now has to run a mini-gauntlet of Xavier, Louisville, Davidson and Indiana State.
6. Mississippi (5-1)
Best win: Miami
Worst loss: Marquette
Mississippi’s offense has been bad, but they’ve been doing enough to keep winning. Ole Miss was blown out by the only really good team they played (Marquette, by 30), but then they came up with a huge overtime win against Miami. That win will look good come March once Miami gets Reggie Johnson back. Mississippi’s shooting has been woeful, most notably a 20.3 3-pt%. Their defense is keeping them in games, holding opponents to a 43.4 eFG% (54th nationally) and turning them over on 25.6% of their trips.
7. Georgia (4-2)
Best win: Notre Dame
Worst loss: Cal
Georgia is another team that is playing a lot like Mississippi. The offense has been bad (283rd in 3pt%, and 243rd in 2pt%), and the defense has been excellent. The Bulldogs have held opponents to 27.1% 3-pt shooting. Freshman Namanja Djurisic has quietly been very solid off the bench, shooting 64.3% on his 2s including 4-4 in their signature win over Notre Dame.
8. Arkansas (4-1)
Best win: Oakland
Worst loss: Houston
Mike Anderson’s teams are never good at getting to the line, and historically have been terrible about putting other teams on the line. This year is no different for the former (252nd nationally), but only four teams have given up fewer free throws than the Razorbacks. Arkansas is taking care of the ball, but needs to find more efficient scoring options. Junior Marshawn Powell got off to a career best start, but the star went down with a knee injury and is lost for the season.
9. Tennessee (3-2)
Best win: UNC Greensboro
Worst loss: Memphis
Cuonzo Martin’s team had a chance for a huge win against Memphis, but were unable to survive the double OT game. That leaves them with a win over an NAIA team and two chumps. Their defense has yet to shut anyone down. Tennessee is giving up 43% on 3s and are one of the worst teams in the country at turning people over (328th). Those were both areas of concern on his Missouri State teams. Sophomore Trae Golden has been the star (despite a questionable end-game possession which may have cost them the Memphis game). He’s averaging 18 points, 7.2 assists, is hitting half his 2s and 42.3% of his 3s.
10. Auburn (3-0)
Best win: McNeese State
Worst loss: n/a
Auburn is undefeated, but they haven’t played anyone. Their signature win is over a middle-of-the-road Southland Conference team. We won’t know what to expect until early December when they play a marginal Big East team (Seton Hall).
11. LSU (3-3)
Best win: Georgia Tech
Worst loss: South Alabama
LSU is close to not being terrible this season, but hasn’t been able to capitalize. They lost close games to Coastal Carolin and Northwestern, and then in overtime to a really bad South Alabama team. They did manage to squeeze in a win against Georgia Tech, and have a solid road ahead to prove themselves against Houston, Rutgers and Boise State.
12. South Carolina (2-4)
Best win: Western Carolina
Worst loss: Tennessee State
The numbers aren’t good for Darrin Horn’s club. Defensively, they’re allowing 44% shooting from 3 (336th nationally), are 221nd in sending teams to the line, and need to do a better job turning teams over (191st). On offense they aren’t taking care of the ball (222nd), aren’t getting to the line (276th) and are shooting 30.9% from deep (229th). Sophomore Eric Smith and Freshman Anthony Gill have been the most efficient scorers, but need to find more scoring opportunities.