SEC Seinfeld Index: January 15

by:Mrs. Tyler Thompson01/15/18

@MrsTylerKSR

Before the season began, who would have predicted that Auburn would be on top of the SEC standings and Texas A&M at the bottom? SEC Basketball is a circus this year, so let’s try to make sense of it all with some help from the show about nothing, and in turn, everything, Seinfeld.

First, a look at the current SEC standings:

TEAM CONFERENCE RECORD GAMES BACK OVERALL RECORD
Auburn 4-0 16-1
Kentucky 4-1 0.5 14-3
Florida 4-1 0.5 12-5
Tennessee 3-2 1.5 12-4
Alabama 3-2 1.5 11-6
Ole Miss 3-2 1.5 10-7
Missouri 2-2 2 12-5
LSU 2-2 2 11-5
Arkansas 2-3 2.5 12-5
Georgia 2-3 2.5 11-5
South Carolina 2-3 2.5 11-6
Mississippi State 1-3 3 13-4
Vanderbilt 1-4 3.5 6-11
Texas A&M 0-5 4.5 11-6

 

They’re real and they’re spectacular?

 #17 Auburn (16-1, 4-0)

Last week: Won vs. Ole Miss (85-70); Won at Mississippi State (76-68)

So, I guess Auburn is legit? I didn’t take them seriously in the non-conference because of their weak schedule, but they’re the only undefeated team in SEC play and continue to impress, all without Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley. I see you, Bruce Pearl.

This week: at Alabama, vs. Georgia


Still Masters of their Domain

 #21 Tennessee (12-4, 3-2)

Last week: Won at Vanderbilt (92-84), Won vs. Texas A&M (75-62)

After starting SEC play 0-2, the Vols have won three straight. It feels weird to rank them ahead of Kentucky, but there’s no denying that they exposed all of the Cats’ flaws in Knoxville over a week ago. We’ll find out more when they go on the road this week.

This week: at Missouri, at South Carolina

 #18 Kentucky (14-3, 4-1)

Last week: Won vs. Texas A&M (74-73); Won at Vandy (74-67)

Kentucky was without Quade Green and Tai Wynyard this week but managed to grind out wins over Texas A&M and Vandy despite some critical errors down the stretch. Lots to nitpick, but considering the Cats were shorthanded, you have to be encouraged.

This week: at South Carolina, vs. Florida


Spongeworthy

 Florida (12-5, 4-1)

Last week: Won vs. Mississippi State (71-54), Lost at Ole Miss (78-72)

The Gators’ loss in Oxford snapped a six-game winning streak, but a road loss is forgivable in the SEC these days. How will they respond with two huge games coming up this week?

This week: vs. Arkansas, at #18 Kentucky

 Alabama (11-6, 3-2)

Last week: Won vs. South Carolina (76-62), Won at LSU (74-66)

After back-to-back road losses to Vandy and Georgia, Alabama got back on track, beating South Carolina and LSU. The win at LSU was especially impressive because the Crimson Tide were without starting forward Donta Hall, who is recovering from wrist surgery. Wednesday’s game vs. Auburn is huge.

This week: vs. #17 Auburn, vs. Mississippi State


Yada Yada Yada

Ole Miss (10-7, 3-2)

Last week: Lost at #22 Auburn (85-70); Won vs. Florida (78-72)

Ole Miss’ win over Florida may be reason to sit up and take notice, but I’m waiting to see how they do in back-to-back road games this week before I deem them spongeworthy.

This week: at Texas A&M, at Arkansas

 Arkansas (12-5, 2-3)

Last week: Lost vs. LSU (75-54); Won vs. Missouri (65-63)

Arkansas ended a three-game losing streak with a two-point win over Missouri at home on Saturday, but that’s not enough for me to forget their 21-point loss to LSU on Wednesday.

This week: at Florida, vs. Ole Miss

Missouri (12-5, 2-2)

Last week: Won vs. Georgia (68-56); Lost at Arkansas (65-63)

After losing to Florida and Arkansas by only two points, Missouri is better than their record suggests; however, they have to break their bad habit of starting games slowly.

This week: vs. #21 Tennessee, at Texas A&M

LSU (11-5, 2-2)

Last week: Won at Arkansas (75-54); Lost vs. Alabama (74-66)

Had LSU beaten Alabama at home on Saturday, they would be much higher on this list; however, the Tigers just couldn’t take the next step despite 19 points (including five threes) from Tremont Waters.

This week: vs. Georgia, at Vanderbilt

South Carolina (11-6, 2-3)

Last week: Lost at Alabama (76-62); Won at Georgia (64-57)

South Carolina beat Georgia in Athens despite shooting only 27.1% from the field. That tells me more about Georgia than it does the Gamecocks. We’ll find out more this week.

This week: vs. #18 Kentucky, vs. #21 Tennessee


Shrinkage

Georgia (11-5, 2-3)

Last week: Lost at Missouri (68-56); Lost vs. South Carolina (64-57)

It was a bad week for Georgia, which dropped games to Missouri and South Carolina. Try as he might, Yante Maten can’t do it all, and if the Bulldogs want to keep their postseason hopes alive, they’ll need to pull off some big upsets…such as Auburn on Saturday.

This week: at LSU, at #17 Auburn

 Mississippi State (13-4, 1-3)

Last week: Lost at Florida (71-54); Lost vs. #22 Auburn (76-68)

The Bulldogs started conference play off strong, beating then-#22 Arkansas, but lost their next three. Mississippi State actually led #22 Auburn by 13 early in the second half, but collapsed. They’ll look to get back on track vs. Vandy tomorrow night before a tough trip to Alabama.

This week: vs Vandy, at Alabama


Eh…

Vanderbilt (6-11, 1-4)

Last week: Lost vs. #24 Tennessee (92-84); Lost vs. #21 Kentucky (74-67)

As has been the case all year, Vandy had the chance to upset Kentucky, but choked. In a moment that encapsulated their entire season, senior Riley LaChance missed three free throws in the final minute that could have put the ‘Dores within one. Ouch.

This week: at Mississippi State, vs. LSU


Again with the sweatpants?

 Texas A&M (11-6, 0-5)

Last week: Lost at #21 Kentucky (74-73); Lost at #24 Tennessee (75-62)

At this point, I’m not sure what to think about Texas A&M. The Aggies are clearly capable of being a good team, as they showed vs. Kentucky last Tuesday; however, Saturday’s collapse at Tennessee showed they are still very far from that. With everyone back from injury and suspension, Texas A&M still couldn’t find a way to win, yet another setback for a squad that many picked to win the SEC this season.

This week: vs. Ole Miss, vs. Missouri

[mobile_ad]

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2024-03-28