Basketball by Buzz

Written by Buzz Breeden

SEC week in review and power rankings: Week 3

Another week in the books, for the first time all season I ranked a team from the West in the top 4 (Alabama). It is still early but the top teams are separating themselves from the bottom six. The conference still has a shot to as many as five teams in the big dance. With out any more waiting here is my rankings:

1 Florida 15-4(4-1): The Gators had a great week beating Auburn (45-40) and embarrassing Arkansas (75-43). Florida held Arkansas to 30% shooting, only 26 rebounds and forced 13 turnovers. Kenny Boyaton led the team with 20 points and added 4 rebounds. Next up for the Gators: Mississippi State (1/29.

2 Kentucky 15-4(3-2): Last week fell short at Alabama (68-66), but bounced back to win at South Carolina (67-58). Kentucky shot themselves in the foot against Alabama missing key free throws (15-27). Terrence Jones, even after being chewed out on TV by his coach, added 17 points and 9 boards. The Wildcats bounced back to beat the Gamecocks Saturday. Shutting down Carolina’s guard Bruce Ellington (8 points) . Brandon Knight added 23/7 for Kentucky. Up next at Georgia 1/29

3 Georgia 14-4(3-2): Huge last second home loss to Tennessee dropped the Dawgs a spot. The big two had a nice game by Thompkins (17/4) and Leslie (14/3). Georgia took out its frustrations on Mississippi State Saturday 86-64. Georgia jumped out to a 24-8 lead and never looked back. Tough test this week for Georgia: 1/29 at Kentucky.

4 Alabama 12-7(4-1): The West is creeping up, okay just one team. Two nice wins last week over Kentucky (68-66) and at Auburn (68-58) JaMychal Green continues to dominate to inside no matter who the opponent is. Green averaged 16 and 9 boards in the two victories. Next up: LSU 1/29.

5 South Carolina 12-6(3-2): Split the week with win over Arkansas in OT (81-74) and a loss to Kentucky (67-58). Bruce Ellington seems to be losing his shooting touch, but Sam Muldrow is picking up the slack for the guard. Sam had a monster game against the Razorback 20 points, 8 boards and 6 blocks and against Kentucky, he added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Auburn is the next opponent on Saturday.

6 Vanderbilt 14-4(2-2): Vandy still a strong contender in the East, yet need to get healthy fast. Good wins against Ole Miss (84-74) and a nice out of conference win over #21 St. Mary (89-70). Vandy can just simply outscore you as they typically average four players in double figures every game. Josh Jenkins continues to stay near the top of the SEC in scoring averaging 19.5 points last week. Two winnable games this week against Mississippi State 1/27, and Arkansas 1/29.

7 Tennessee 12-7(2-2): Great but controversial win over Georgia (59-57) last week. Center Brian Williams jumped over the back of a Georgia player to put back a follow up shot as time expired. The win was much needed for the Vols as this keeps them at .500 in the SEC and with the emergence of Georgia, every win in the conference is huge especially in this division. Tennessee followed the win up with a loss to UCONN Saturday. Next week Tennessee takes on LSU Wednesday and at Ole Miss on Saturday.

8 Arkansas 12-6(2-3): Rough week for the Razorbacks, tough overtime loss to South Carolina (81-74) and completely blown out Saturday by Florida (75-43). Arkansas ran out of gas in overtime, Delvon Johnson led the way with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Against Florida, Arkansas could not cool off the Gators shooting all game. The Arky was out rebounded 41-26 with only 5 assist and 13 turnovers, not good. Up next for Arkansas, Vandy on the 29^th.

9 Ole Miss 13-7(1-4): The Rebels finally picked up its first conference win Saturday against LSU (78-51). This did not look like the team from its first three SEC games. Ole Miss shot over 60% for the game (70% in the second half). Chris Warren looked like the best point guard in the league with 18 points, 4 rebounds and five assist in the victory. Ole Miss did lose to Vandy (84-74) last week. Ole Miss was in the game until a late run by the Commodores shut the door. Ole Miss has the week off before hosting Tennessee next Saturday.

10 Mississippi State 10-8(2-2): bi-polar week for the Bulldogs, They routed lonely Auburn (85-66) then fell victim to Georgia (86-64). State was able to shoot 62% against Auburn led by Renardo Sidney(15/6/3) and Ravern Johnson (21/4). They fell behind to early against Georgia and could not close the deficit. Dee Bost added 20 points, 5 assist and 5 steals in the loss. Tough week for the Bulldogs as they travel to Vanderbilt Thursday, then host Florida on Saturday.

11 LSU 10-9(2-2): Only game this week was a blow out against Ole Miss. The Tigers hung around in the first half thanks to freshman, Matt Derenbecker (14 points), but they second half Ole Miss pulled away outscoring the Tigers 40-19. LSU could not stop the Rebels out side shooting, nor could they stop Ole Miss at all…up next for LSU they travel to Tennessee, then off to Alabama.

12 Auburn 7-12(0-5): loss to Florida (45-40) in an awful game and followed it up by losing to Alabama (68-58). Being in last play, they win the right not to be humiliated any more…up next is traveling to South Carolina.